Wolf Creek sits on Union Valley Reservoir's north shore at 4,900 feet, offering modern amenities in granite Sierra Nevada country. The two-loop campground handles everything from solo tent camping to 50-person groups, with direct access to a paved bike trail and water recreation on the reservoir.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $10
- 📍GPS
- 38.88306, -120.40000
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 831-245-6891
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The campground's two loops spread across the north shore of Union Valley Reservoir, putting you within walking distance of swimming and fishing spots. Most sites accommodate up to five small tents or two family-sized ones, all equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof lockers. Vault toilets and drinking water serve the campground, along with an on-site host who may sell firewood for a fee.
Site options run from tent-only spots to double sites, plus group areas that handle 25 or 50 people. The setting is classic Crystal Basin: granite peaks rising above pine forest, with the reservoir reflecting the surrounding Sierra Nevada landscape.
Water and Wheels
Union Valley Reservoir delivers on multiple fronts. Anglers work the water for rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout, plus kokanee salmon. The reservoir also accommodates swimming, water skiing, and boating — the nearest boat ramp is at Yellowjacket Campground.
The paved Union Valley Bike Trail starts right from camp, running 4.8 miles with a gentle 300-foot climb. The trail connects eastside campgrounds from Wench Creek down to Jones Fork, with interpretive signs explaining the area's water development history. Hikers share the trail with cyclists.
What to Know
All sites require reservations, from single spots to the large group areas. The campground operates in typical Sierra Nevada climate: warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Wildlife is abundant throughout the range — black bears (hence the food lockers), mule deer, and various smaller mammals call this elevation home.
The nearby Desolation Wilderness offers backcountry escape for those wanting to push beyond the reservoir setting. Remnants of 1800s gold mining operations dot the broader region, a reminder of the area's California Gold Rush heritage.