Acorn Recreation Area — Attraction in San Andreas

I am not sure what to say. This was our second year going camping at Acorn Campgrounds at New Hogan Lake just outside of Valley Springs, CA. Last year, even though we were in a drought, it was fantastic!! There was still plenty of water, this lake is massive. Last year the entire staff and park rangers were the greatest bunch of people I had ever experienced while camping. They were present, helpful, informative, funny and we never had a problem the entire time we were there. The other campers were just as much fun and I think every one of us was impressed. We could not wait to go again this year. This year was a different story, while some of the same staff members and rangers were still there. There were also some new rangers and staff. The lake was great and the staff members from last year were fantastic again. The lake is down quite a ways, but still has a ton of water and is beautiful. The difference between last year and this year came about sundown. There was a new ranger who came around in the evenings and early mornings who worn their badge way too tight! It was Friday night and we were having fun listening to music and playing around with some glow-in-the-dark bubbles and light sticks. Suddenly a ranger appeared and told us that our radio had to be turned off and we had to keep quiet because it was now quiet time at the campground. Excuse me, what?? I am confused, because most of our neighboring campers were either joining in with us or celebrating their vacation along with us with their own groups. My point is no one was complaining, everybody was having fun, so what is the problem?? We were even threatened with "this will be your only warning". Well, we all did what the ranger requested and shut everything down and - well, went to bed. Yet for the next 2 1/2 hours we had the pleasure of listening to a bunch of children from the other side of the section of camping slots, scream, bang things and run around playing until 1:39 in the morning. Not one time did the ranger come back through and ask them to stop. (we know this, because when we saw them the next morning we asked.) Now I do not know about you but when I go on a vacation, I would like to be able to have some fun. I do not make reservations at retirement centers or any other place I would deem that one should have "quiet hours" for whose who partying would offend. I want to go and have a few drinks, unwind, enjoy the open fresh air and not think about work. I do not want to be told to go to bed 30 minutes after the sun goes down. I am up in the air as to how to rate this camping spot - the difference between the two years is so vast.

I would have to say based on this years experience: If you want to go to a nice quiet place were nobody can make noise after 10, (except those who are deemed special by the night ranger) A place were you can sit around and whisper - you know a retirement center Then this is the place for you!!! Not sure if we will give it another try next year - I will...

I was here 3 years ago and I swore I would never go back. The "lake front" camp site was nearly a mile if not more from the water and when we walked to it, well let's just say we drove elsewhere to swim and that's another story for another time. Fast forward to now. This campsite was beautiful! There was so much green everywhere. The lake was gorgeous. We were at a spot near the water. There were little purple and yellow flowers all over. One of the trees in our campsite had a bird and it's chicks inside of it. There were no complaints. The camping seems to be in essentially an honor system. No one checked us in. Our site was already marked for us because we did it on line and we just went, camped and went home. No check in or check out. Its nice to not have that hassle. Having said all of that. For those that it matter to, the camp spots feel very close together, but at the same time I do a lot of dispersed camping now so that may make a difference for feeling the sites are so close. Didn't catch any fish from shore either. Not even a nibble. But, the surroundings were so peaceful we didn't mind. Wishing everyone well. This is a paid camp spot I would consider...

The campground's position to the water isn't very great. It's practically a hike to get there. The water level as of now is very low though... The campgrounds themselves are decent. I visited them for 4th of July weekend, and there were plenty of people with their family's and friends... The scenery is most dependent on your campsite position. There's plenty of trees and wildlife nearby. We ended up seeing some deer... You really have to be careful for rattlesnakes and spiders. Around summer time, there's tons of them; including, brown recluse and black...