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Established Camping

Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground

Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground is situated in a forested area with a mix of pine and fir trees. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Nearby attractions include Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness, offering opportunities for hiking and water activities.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest

Overview

Yellowjacket Campground provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun on Union Valley Reservoir. The water plays host to an array of activities like water skiing and fishing. The surrounding cedar and ponderosa pine forest is a lovely setting for hiking and biking.

Recreation

The Union Valley Bike Trail spans 4.8 miles with an easy climb of 300 feet. The trail connects campgrounds on the east side of the lake, from Jones Fork Campground to Wench Creek, and is open to hikers and bikers. The Bassi Falls Hiking Trail is also worth exploring. Anglers seek rainbow, brown and mackinaw trout or kokanee salmon. The reservoir also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing and boating. A boat ramp and boat trailer parking are provided at this campground.

Facilities

The Union Valley Bike Trail spans 4.8 miles with an easy climb of 300 feet. The trail connects campgrounds on the east side of the lake, from Jones Fork Campground to Wench Creek, and is open to hikers and bikers. The Bassi Falls Hiking Trail is also worth exploring. Anglers seek rainbow, brown and mackinaw trout or kokanee salmon. The reservoir also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing and boating. A boat ramp and boat trailer parking are provided at this campground.

Natural Features

Union Valley Reservoir sits in the Crystal Basin within the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 4,900 feet. The area is part of the Eldorado National Forest, which includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Protected remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush are all around the region. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. An abundance of wildlife can be found within the Sierra Nevada Range, including black bears, mule deer, bobcat, gray fox, bighorn sheep, pikas, martens and a variety of squirrels. Several species of reptiles, amphibians and birds also inhabit the area.

Nearby Attractions

The Desolation Wilderness is nearby, offering the opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of nature.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (831) 245-6891.

Charges & Cancellations

Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation. Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 4 days before your arrival date. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (see Late Cancellation below). Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld. Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

Fee Info

<ul> <li>Recreation Fee: Recreation fees are the fees a visitor pays for things like overnight camping, a day-use pavilion, group facilities, a tour or a permit. Recreation fees vary by location and/or activity.</li> <li>Reservation Fee: A fee may be charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services. This fee is in addition to the Recreation Fee and is non-refundable. Fees for camping, day use, group sites, cabins and lookouts: $8 if made on-line; $9 if made through the call center; $3 if made in-person.</li> </ul>
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Location

Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Placerville, take Highway 50 east. Go 21 miles to Icehouse Road. Turn left on Icehouse Road. Then drive 14 miles north to the Yellowjacket turnoff. Drive a half mile to the campground entrance.

Address

ELDORADO
CA

Coordinates

38.8916667 N
120.3916667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Pets
  • Fires

Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

1 Review

Reviewed Feb. 4, 2024

Weekend Camping Trip

Nice weekend trip, me and my uncle saw a lightning storm on the other side of the lake.

Site16
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground by Mark P., February 4, 2024
  • Review photo of Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground by Mark P., February 4, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground?

    Camping at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground can cost between $28.00 and $33.97 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground?

    Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground allows vehicles up to 25 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground?

    There are 42 campsites at Eldorado National Forest Yellowjacket Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts