California / El Dorado County

Yellowjacket

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates June through September. Reservations available through Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance.

About

Yellowjacket Campground provides access to Union Valley Reservoir in the Crystal Basin area of Eldorado National Forest. Located at 4,900 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the campground is surrounded by cedar and ponderosa pine forest. The 37-site campground includes single and double sites, with one RV site available. The reservoir offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. Anglers seek rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout or kokanee salmon. A boat ramp and boat trailer parking are provided at the campground. The Union Valley Bike Trail spans 4.8 miles with an easy 300-foot climb, connecting campgrounds on the east side of the lake from Jones Fork to Wench Creek. The nearby Bassi Falls Hiking Trail is also popular with visitors. The Desolation Wilderness is nearby for those seeking backcountry experiences. The area is part of the historic gold mining territory from the 1800s, with protected remnants of the California Gold Rush scattered throughout the region. Wildlife is abundant, including black bears, mule deer, bobcat, gray fox, bighorn sheep, pikas, martens, and various squirrel species. The climate features warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Directions

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

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