--- title: "Lake Tulloch | Arnold Haven" description: "Warm water, boat ramps and swimming coves fifty minutes below Arnold — the closest genuinely warm lake to the cabins." lang: en json-ld: --- [Skip to content](#main-content) [![](/__l5e/assets-v1/84bf9984-9cf8-406b-aaf5-dbde0a9f8c6a/arnold-haven-mark-white.png)Arnold Haven Arnold · California ](/) [Cabins](/cabins)[Explore](/explore)[Guides](/guides)[Membership](/circle)[Support](/chalet-bruin-future)[Merch](/merch)[Book a stay](/cabins) ![Lake Tulloch](/assets/tulloch-cove-3jl2PECS.jpg) Explore Arnold # Lake Tulloch Warm water, boating and swimming coves in the foothills below Arnold — the closest lake where nobody complains that it is too cold. About 50 minutes from both cabins. [Check availability](/cabins)[See the cabins](/cabins) First things first ## First things first Lake Tulloch sits at around 500 feet in the hills near Copperopolis, which means it is genuinely warm — swimming-in-June warm, not gasping-in-August-like-an-alpine-lake warm. It is shaped like a sprawling X with long arms and rocky coves, and its level is held fairly steady through the summer, which makes it the reliable water-skiing and swimming lake in this part of the county. From the cabins it is about fifty minutes: down Highway 4 through Angels Camp, then out towards Copperopolis. That makes it the easiest warm-water day trip we have, and a good answer for a group where half the people want a lake and the other half want a pool. ![A small motorboat towing a rider across calm reservoir water between bare golden hills](/assets/tulloch-boating-C7P6ate5.jpg) Geography ## Where Lake Tulloch sits ![Illustrated antique-style map of California inside the United States with a gold marker on Lake Tulloch in the Calaveras foothills](/assets/lake-tulloch-BdFf3y8J.jpg) Illustrated locator map — for orientation, not navigation. A sprawling X-shaped reservoir with rocky coves, held at a fairly steady summer level, which makes it the region's dependable water-ski and swimming lake. It sits low enough to warm up early, so swimming is comfortable from late spring into September. About fifty minutes from both cabins — the closest genuinely warm water to Arnold. Region Sierra Nevada foothills, the Stanislaus River reservoirs County Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties Elevation About 500 ft Nearest town Copperopolis, with Angels Camp twenty minutes north Getting there Highway 4 through Angels Camp, then O'Byrnes Ferry Road to the lake 02 ## On the water This is a powerboat lake. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and jet skis are the main business here, alongside kayaks and paddleboards in the quieter arms early in the day. Wind picks up in the afternoon on the open sections, so the glassy water is a morning thing. There are public launch ramps and a marina; fees, hours and any inspection requirements for boats brought from other lakes change from season to season, so check with the operator before you tow anything down the hill. Quagga and zebra mussel inspections are a real thing on California lakes. ![An open blue reservoir cove with a rocky shore and low golden grass hills on both sides](/assets/tulloch-cove-3jl2PECS.jpg) ![A small motorboat towing a rider across calm reservoir water between bare golden hills](/assets/tulloch-boating-C7P6ate5.jpg) 03 ## Swimming, fishing and the shoreline The coves are the swimming. Much of the shoreline is private, so aim for the designated day-use and beach areas rather than assuming access, and be aware that the banks are rocky in places — water shoes earn their keep. Fishing is decent for bass, catfish and crappie, best early and late in the day around the rocky points and the backs of the arms. Bring shade: there are almost no trees, and the foothills in July are unrelenting. ![A concrete boat ramp and empty dock on a foothill reservoir in early morning light](/assets/tulloch-ramp-BRODUdZI.jpg) 04 ## Practicalities from a cabin Fuel and groceries are easiest in Angels Camp on the way down; there is much less out at the lake. Take more water and ice than you think you need, plus sunscreen and hats for everyone — the temperature difference between Arnold and the lake is often twenty-five degrees. Go early on summer weekends. The ramps get busy, parking fills, and the water is at its best before eleven. Then come home to 4,000 feet, where the evening is cool enough to sit outside. ![A concrete boat ramp and empty dock on a foothill reservoir in early morning light](/assets/tulloch-ramp-BRODUdZI.jpg) ![An open blue reservoir cove with a rocky shore and low golden grass hills on both sides](/assets/tulloch-cove-3jl2PECS.jpg) 05 ## Where to stay near Lake Tulloch There is not much shade or much town out there. Both cabins are fifty minutes up Highway 4 in Arnold, in the pines at 4,000 feet — a hot tub, a full kitchen, cool nights and Calaveras Big Trees five minutes away for the morning after a day in the sun. - [CHALET BRUIN — 12 guests, 5 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/chalet-bruin) - [KODA LOFT — 4 guests, 2 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/koda-loft) ![A small motorboat towing a rider across calm reservoir water between bare golden hills](/assets/tulloch-boating-C7P6ate5.jpg) ![A concrete boat ramp and empty dock on a foothill reservoir in early morning light](/assets/tulloch-ramp-BRODUdZI.jpg) Nearby ## Keep exploring [ ![Don Pedro Lake](/assets/don-pedro-houseboat-DPtit2ih.jpg) ### Don Pedro Lake Much bigger, further south, and the houseboat lake of the region. Discover ↗ ](/explore/don-pedro-lake) [ ![New Melones and the Stanislaus](/assets/rafting-calm-water-e43gobg5.jpg) ### New Melones and the Stanislaus The river above the lakes: swimming holes and fishing water closer to the cabins. Discover ↗ ](/explore/stanislaus-river) [ ![Angels Camp](/assets/angels-camp-main-street-cj3rHrNu.jpg) ### Angels Camp Your supply stop both ways, twenty minutes below the cabins. Discover ↗ ](/explore/angels-camp-ca) Good to know ## Frequently asked questions How warm is Lake Tulloch? + It sits low in the foothills and warms up early, so it is comfortable for swimming from late spring through September — noticeably warmer than the alpine lakes above Arnold. How far is Lake Tulloch from Arnold? + About fifty minutes from both cabins, down Highway 4 through Angels Camp towards Copperopolis. Can we bring a boat? + Yes, there are public ramps and a marina. Launch fees, hours and mussel-inspection requirements change season to season, so confirm with the ramp operator before you tow a boat down. Is there a public beach? + There are designated day-use and beach areas, but much of the shoreline is private. Check where public access is before you set out, and expect rocky ground in places. ![](/__l5e/assets-v1/84bf9984-9cf8-406b-aaf5-dbde0a9f8c6a/arnold-haven-mark-white.png) Arnold Haven Cabin stays in Arnold, California — minutes from Calaveras Big Trees State Park, White Pines Lake and Bear Valley. 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