Union East Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Road access is blocked by snow during winter months. The campground operates seasonally, typically dependent on snow conditions.

About

Union East Campground is located at the end of Forest Road 7N75 at 6,800 feet elevation, offering a rustic mountain camping experience at Union Reservoir. The campground features 11 single sites nestled in red fir and lodgepole pine forest, each equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table with designated parking spurs. The reservoir sits in a granite basin with expansive mountain views and numerous small islands, allowing motorized boating at a maximum speed of 5 mph with a boat launch available at the campground. A 0.4-mile trail connects Union East to Union West Campground, and from Union East the trail continues 1.5 miles to Elephant Rock Lake with additional trails branching into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. The area is popular for fishing, non-motorized and motorized boating, mountain biking, horseback riding, and day hiking. Water levels can fluctuate throughout the season. Island camping is permitted with a campfire permit using existing rock fire rings, but requires strict pack-in/pack-out practices including human waste.

Directions

From Highway 4, turn onto Spicer Reservoir Road (paved) and go 8 miles. Turn left onto 7N75 (gravel) and continue 0.7 miles to a T-intersection. Turn right and continue 1 mile to Union East Campground. Spicer Reservoir Road is 27 miles east of the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines.

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