This Forest Service campground provides drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in access to two alpine reservoirs at $16 per night, with vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The narrow access road requires careful navigation, particularly during busy periods when vehicle traffic increases significantly.
Utica and Union Reservoirs sit within granite country that offers water activities and serves as a trailhead for Carson-Iceberg Wilderness routes. The area attracts both day users and overnight campers, with weekday visits typically providing better site availability. Cell service reaches the campground, though campers must pack out all trash to containers located several miles away at the main road junction.
Weekend crowds can create challenging conditions, as Michael G. notes that "Saturday nights are terrible now as lately large groups overcrowd campsites and party into early Sunday morning." Recent visitors report significant litter issues and overcrowding during peak season, with some sites accommodating multiple groups simultaneously. No potable water is available on-site.
The campground works best for campers comfortable with primitive conditions and willing to help maintain the area's condition. Those exploring the broader Sierra Nevada region can find places to camp around Bear Valley for additional overnight options.
Description
These scenic small, twin reservoirs are located off the Spicer Reservoir Road.
There are several campgrounds here. Utica Reservoir has Sandy Flat campground and Rocky Point campground with 11 and 12 sites each.
Union Reservoir has West and East campgrounds with 18 and 11 sites
There are also dispersed campsites in this area and boat in campsites that aren’t part of the four campgrounds previously mentioned
The area is popular for day use, as well as paddle sports such as canoeing and kayaking. A primitive dirt boat launch is available at Union East Reservoir. The maximum boat speed is 5 mph. Utica Reservoir is managed for non-motorized boating; it has two dirt ramps designed for hand-launching of non-motorized boats.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundUtica/Union Reservoirs is located in California
Directions
From Highway 4, turn onto Spicer Reservoir Road (paved) and go 8 miles. Turn left onto 7N75; from there the roads are gravel. Continue .7 miles to a T-intersection. For Utica Reservoir, turn left and continue one mile. For Union East, turn right and continue one mile. For Union West, turn right and go .3 miles, bear left at the fork onto 7N75C, and continue a half-mile. Spicer Reservoir Road is 27 miles east of the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, California.
Coordinates
38.41845853 N
120.00750467 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 6 min from Stockton, CA
- 2 hrs 7 min from Carson City, NV
- 2 hrs 18 min from Modesto, CA
- 2 hrs 34 min from Reno, NV
