Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Yellowjacket
Eldorado National Forest, California
About this campground
Yellowjacket Campground provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun on Union Valley Reservoir.
Some sites at this camp are available on a first-come, first-served basis ( more campground details ) Union Valley Reservoir sits in the Crystal Basin within the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 4,900 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.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.891667° N
- Longitude
- 120.391667° W
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.
Access
- Drive-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Food storage
- 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
- Parking
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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.
Facilities
Sites are equipped with picnic tables, grills and campfire rings. The campground offers a dump station, drinking water, and vault toilets.
A host is on-site. Some sites at this camp are available on a first-come, first-served basis ( more campground details )
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.
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.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Water Sports
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Biking
- Birding
- Water Skiing
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Wildlife-resistant food storage
- Dump station
- Pets allowedFollow the exact facility restrictions
- Boat Ramp
- Boat Trailer Parking
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Food Storage Locker
- Grills
- Host
- Lake Access
- Parking Area
- Picnic Area
- Self Pay Station
- Vault Toilets
- Water Spigot
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
34 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 12
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 30 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
23 sites- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 25 ft
- Check-in
- 0:00 AM, 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 0:00 AM, 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Walk To
1 site- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 25 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
RV Non-Electric
1 site- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 0 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
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.
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive nights
- Holiday-weekend minimum
- 3 nights
- Weekend minimum
- 2 nights
- Reservation cutoff
- 3 days before arrival
- Maximum published vehicles
- 2 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM, 0:00 AM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM, 0:00 AM
- Food storage
- Yellowjacket'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
- Yellowjacket's official facility record states: Sites are equipped with picnic tables, grills and campfire rings.
- 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
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Management | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Management | $33.97 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Management | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Management | $33.97 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Management | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Management | $33.97 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Travel Notice : Starting May 2024 and continuing through September 2024, Ice House Road will be undergoing repairs. There will be traffic delays so plan your camping trip accordingly.
- Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
- There are no electric/water/sewer site hook-ups at this facility
- 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.
- 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
- Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (1PM) 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 as occupied/available online 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 is a fee to move from a reserved site to a first come first serve site. Site Transfer Policy
- For more information on Eldorado National Forest, click here
Getting there & contact
Official 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.
Facility contact
530-293-0827 · info@royalelkparkmanagement.com