Kampilo

Campground

Sunset-Union Valley

Eldorado National Forest, California

Official reservation page

About this campground

Sunset Campground is situated on the shores of Union Valley Reservoir, among the towering cedar and ponderosa pines of Eldorado National Forest.

Venture to the nearby lake, Ice House Reservoir or hike up Twin Peaks to look down over Union Valley Reservoir.

Aptly named, the campground is a fantastic destination for colorful sunset views over the lake.

Map

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Latitude
38.865833° N
Longitude
120.405000° W
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Know before you arrive

Access, sites & campground features

Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.

Connectivity

  • T-Mobile5GExcellent coverageVerified by 2 campers · Oct 18, 2026
  • Verizon5GGood coverageVerified by 2 campers · Jul 1, 2026
  • AT&T5GGood coverageVerified by 0 campers

Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.

Access

  • Drive-in
  • Boat-inCommunity report
  • Walk-inCommunity report

Site types

  • Tent sites
  • RV / trailer sites
  • Standard campsites
  • Group sites

Features

For campers

  • Toilets
  • Showers
  • Drinking water
  • FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
  • Food storage
  • Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
  • Firewood available
  • Picnic table
  • ADA access
  • Alcohol allowedCommunity report
  • Phone serviceCommunity report
  • Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
  • Reservable

For vehicles

  • Sanitary dump
  • Pull-through sites
  • Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 110 ft

Official campground guide

Plan with the full campground details

Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.

Open official source

Overview

Sunset Campground is situated on the shores of Union Valley Reservoir, among the towering cedar and ponderosa pines of Eldorado National Forest. Aptly named, the campground is a fantastic destination for colorful sunset views over the lake. All water activities are popular here, but it's also fun to bring a bike and explore the neighboring bike trail.

Eldorado includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush can be found all around the region.

Facilities

The large campground has 121 single-unit sites including 30 tent-only spots. Amenities include a boat ramp with an accessible boarding dock, a paved parking area, dump station, vault toilets and drinking water. A swimming beach is also located onsite.

The First Come First Serve sites located at this campground remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show occupied/available as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site. No guarantees upon arrival that these FF sites will be avaiable.

Recreation

On the water, sailing, boating and swimming are very popular. For hikers and bikers, the Union Valley Bike Trail and Bassi Falls Hiking Trail are great for exploring. Fishing in the lake includes rainbow, brown, mackinaw trout and kokanee salmon.

The bike trail connects with the campground, near the boat ramp, and stretches for 4.8 miles along the eastern shores of the lake.

Natural Features

Sunset Campground sits in the Crystal Basin at an elevation of 5,000 feet. Some sites are fully shaded while others sit in a meadow. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Nearby Attractions

Venture to the nearby lake, Ice House Reservoir or hike up Twin Peaks to look down over Union Valley Reservoir.

A restaurant and general store are within 5 miles of the campground.

Activities & amenities

What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.

Available activities

  • Swimming Site
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Biking
  • Sailing

Amenities and facility features

  • Vault or pit toilets
  • Showers
  • Potable water
  • Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
  • Wildlife-resistant food storage
  • Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
  • Dump station
  • Campfire Rings
  • Drinking Water
  • Firewood
  • Food Storage Locker
  • Grills
  • Host
  • Picnic Area
  • Self Pay Station
  • Trash Collection
  • Vault Toilets
  • Water Spigot

Recreation sites

Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.

Standard Non-Electric

114 sites
Reservation type
Site-Specific
Equipment
RV, Tent, Trailer
Maximum people
18
Maximum vehicles
3
Maximum vehicle length
45 ft
Check-in
00:00 AM, 00:00 PM, 02:00 PM, 0:00 PM, 2:00 PM, :00 PM
Check-out
00:00 PM, 01:00 PM, 0:00 PM, 1:00 PM, :00 PM
Accessible sites
32 flagged accessible

Management

70 sites
Reservation type
Non Site-Specific, Site-Specific
Equipment
RV, Tent, Trailer
Maximum people
6
Maximum vehicles
2
Maximum vehicle length
35 ft
Check-in
0:00 AM, 2:00 PM
Check-out
0:00 AM, 1:00 PM
Accessible sites
2 flagged accessible

RV Non-Electric

4 sites
Reservation type
Site-Specific
Equipment
RV, Tent, Trailer
Maximum people
6
Maximum vehicles
1
Maximum vehicle length
0 ft
Check-in
00:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Check-out
00:00 PM, 1:00 PM
Accessible sites
2 flagged accessible

Group Standard Non-Electric

1 site
Equipment
RV, Tent, Trailer
Maximum people
30
Maximum vehicles
10
Check-in
02:00 PM
Check-out
01:00 PM
Accessible sites
1 flagged accessible

Site rules, inventory & rates

Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.

Site rules

Base site allowance
• 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. • 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.
Holiday-weekend minimum
0 days
Weekend minimum
2 nights
Reservation cutoff
3 days before arrival
Scan And Pay
1
Maximum published vehicles
10 vehicles per site
Check-in
00:00 AM, 00:00 PM, 02:00 PM, 0:00 PM, 2:00 PM, :00 PM, 0:00 AM
Check-out
00:00 PM, 01:00 PM, 0:00 PM, 1:00 PM, :00 PM, 0:00 AM
Food storage
Sunset-Union Valley's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Eldorado National Forest.
Fire and stove use
Sunset-Union Valley's official facility record states: Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed; call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.
Pets
Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.

Inventory window

Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.

Currently bookable through
Sep 27, 2026
Next release
Nov 22, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
Next book-through date
May 22, 2027
Group sites bookable through
Sep 27, 2027

Published seasons & rates

SeasonSite typeNightly rateAdditional personDeposit
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Group Shelter Non-Electric$145——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Management$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Standard Non-Electric$108——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Standard Non-Electric$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Standard Non-Electric$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026Tent Only Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026Group Shelter Non-Electric$140——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026Management$33.97——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026RV Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026Standard Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026Standard Non-Electric$108——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Group Shelter Non-Electric$145——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Management$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Standard Non-Electric$108——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Standard Non-Electric$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Standard Non-Electric$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027Tent Only Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027Group Shelter Non-Electric$140——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027Management$33.97——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027RV Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027Standard Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027Standard Non-Electric$108——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Group Shelter Non-Electric$145——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Management$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Standard Non-Electric$108——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Standard Non-Electric$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Standard Non-Electric$36——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Standard Non-Electric$72——
Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028Tent Only Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028Group Shelter Non-Electric$140——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028Management$33.97——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028RV Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028Standard Non-Electric$36——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028Standard Non-Electric$108——
First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028Standard Non-Electric$72——

Important facility notices

Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.

  • Bears frequent the area; use appropiate food containers
  • There are no electric/water/sewer site hook-ups at this facility
  • Please Note : One vehicle per single site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
  • Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed; call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.
  • Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
  • 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).
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
  • First Come First Serve sites remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show occupied/available as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site. No guarantees upon arrival that these FF sites will be avaiable.
  • There are fees to move from a reserved site to first come first serve site. Site Transfer Policy
  • Click here for more information on the Eldorado National Forest

Getting there & contact

Official directions

On Highway 50, east of Placerville, travel for 21 miles to the Icehouse Road turnoff on your left. Continue north for 16 miles to the campground.

Facility contact

831-245-6891 · info@royalelkparkmanagement.com

Sources

Recreation.gov official facility record — Sunset-Union ValleyUSDA Forest Service — responsible pet practicesRecreation.gov official facility record — Sunset-Union ValleySunset-Union Valley official facility detailsRecreation.gov official facility record — Sunset-Union Valley — food-storage guidanceThe Dyrt community reports — Union Valley ReservoirRecreation.gov campground details APIRecreation.gov published seasons and ratesRecreation.gov booking-window release dataRecreation.gov recreation-site inventory