Yellowjacket sits on Union Valley Reservoir's shore, where the draw is equal parts water sports and forest trails. The 37-site campground puts you within walking distance of a boat ramp and the start of a 4.8-mile bike trail that connects multiple camps along the lake's east side.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 37
- 💵Fee per Night
- $36
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 4,900 ft
- 📍GPS
- 38.89167, -120.39167
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 530-293-0827
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground spreads through cedar and ponderosa pine forest at 4,900 feet, with sites equipped for the basics: picnic tables, grills, and campfire rings. A dump station and drinking water keep things civilized, while the on-site host handles day-to-day operations. Some sites operate first-come, first-served if you prefer to roll the dice over advance reservations.
Union Valley Reservoir anchors the experience here. The boat ramp and trailer parking make this a logical base for water skiing, though anglers work the same waters for rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout, plus kokanee salmon. Swimming is an option when the Sierra Nevada summer heat kicks in.
The Trails
The Union Valley Bike Trail starts right from camp, running 4.8 miles with a gentle 300-foot climb. It connects Jones Fork Campground to Wench Creek, threading between campsites on the reservoir's east shore. Hikers can use it too. For something different, the Bassi Falls trail offers a change from lakeside terrain.
What's Around
The Desolation Wilderness boundary lies nearby — a significant jump in difficulty from the campground scene but worth knowing about if you're planning longer adventures. The area carries Sierra Nevada wildlife: black bears, mule deer, bobcat, and the usual mountain suspects. The Gold Rush history runs deep in this part of Eldorado National Forest, with mining remnants scattered through the region.