Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, Eldorado National Forest, California

Union Valley Reservoir Camping

Eldorado National Forest

Mileages From Sacramento

  • Placerville - 44 miles
  • Crystal Basin - 82 miles
  • Wrights Lake - 87 miles
  • Twin Bridges - 85 miles
  • Echo Summit - 92 miles
  • S. Lake Tahoe - 103 miles




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Union Valley Reservoir Camping

Union Valley Reservoir campgrounds are at about 4,900 feet in elevation and are usually open from Memorial Day weekend through late September. Single sites are limited to 1 vehicle and 6 people. An extra vehicle is allowed for an additional fee if parking space permits. Trailers are counted as vehicles.

Union Valley Reservoir is about 15 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. All types of boating and watersports are allowed in the lake, including jet skis and waterskiing. The Union Valley Bike Trail connects many of the campgrounds.

Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, California

map of campgrounds at Union Valley Reservoir, CA

Azalea Cove Campground

Azalea Cove Campground, Eldorado National Forest, CA

Located on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir. Accessible by bike, foot, or boat only. The campsites are nicely spaced out and are only set back a short distance from the lake.

Campground Amenities

  • 10 campsites, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bear boxes
  • Bike trail passes between the campsites and the lake

Reservations: None
Fees: None

Big Silver Group Campground

Big Silver Group Campground, Union Valley Reservoir, Eldorado National Forest, CA

Located on a peninsula on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 1 - 50 campers, vault and flush toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Group campfire ring located close to the river (shown right)
  • Bike trail

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Big Silver Group Campground
Fees: $145

Camino Cove Campground

Camino Cove Campground, Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, CA

Located on the northwest shore of Union Valley Reservoir. Access is via a long, narrow dirt road. High clearance vehicles recommended. RVs and trailers not recommended. The road can be muddy in the spring. Views from the campsites are among the best around the lake.

Campground Amenities

  • 32 campsites, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Fishing, swimming

Reservations: None
Fees: None

Fashoda Campground

Fashoda Campground, Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, CA

Located on the peninsula on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir. Easy acceass to beach areas.

Campground Amenities

  • 30 campsites, vault toilets, piped water, showers, dump station
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Boat launch ramp nearby, bike trail, swimming beach

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Fashoda Campground
Fees: $28

Jones Fork Campground

Jones Fork Campground, Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, CA

Located on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 10 campsites for RVs, trailers, or tents
  • Vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills, bear boxes
  • Bike trail

Reservations: None
Fees: $10

Lone Rock Campground

Lone Rock Campground, Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, CA

Located on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir, accessible only by boat, bike, or foot. Great lake views from several of the campsites.

Campground Amenities

  • 5 campsites, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes
  • Bike trail

Reservations: None
Fees: None

Sunset Campground

Sunset Boat Ramp, Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, CA

Located on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir.
(boat ramp photo taken late May 2015)

Campground Amenities

  • 131 campsites, vault toilets, piped water, showers at nearby Fashoda Campground
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Boat launch ramp, bike trail, swimming beach

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Sunset Campground
Fees: $28

Wench Creek Campground

Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin, CA

Located on the north shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 100 campsites, vault and flush toilets, piped water
  • 2 group campsites for up to 50 campers, one site is tents only
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Bike trail

Reservations: For group sites only 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Wench Creek Group Campsites
Fees: $25 per night for family sites, $160 for group sites

Westpoint Campground

Located on the west shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 8 campsites, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Boat launch ramp, bike trail, swimming

Reservations: None
Fees: None

Wolf Creek Campground

Located on the north shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 42 campsites for tents and RVs
  • Vault toilets, piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills, bear boxes

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Wolf Creek Campground
Fees: $28

Wolf Creek Group Campground

Located on the north shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 3 Group sites: #1 holds 1-25 people (walk-in, tents), #2 holds 2-50 people (tents and RVs), #3 holds 3 - 25 people (tents and RVs)
  • Vault toilets, piped water
  • Picnic tables, kitchen area, fire rings, grills, bear boxes

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Wolf Creek Campground
Fees: Site #1 $140, Site #2 $160, and site #3 $140

Yellowjacket Campground

Located on the north shore of Union Valley Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 40 campsites for tents and RVs
  • Vault and flush toilets, piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
  • Boat launch ramp, dump station

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Yellowjacket Campground
Fees: $28