Sunset Union Valley Reservoir Campground Eldorado National Forest California
Sunset Union Valley Reservoir Overview
Sunset Campground (Union Valley Reservoir) has 121 campsites and is located next to the reservoir in the El Dorado National Forest. Aptly named, the campground is a fantastic destination for colorful sunset views over the lake.
The campground is set up in three loops: Shady (Sites 1-31), Meadow (Sites 32-75) and Sunset (sites 76-101). Single, double and triple capacity sites are available. Most campsites are reservable but about 21 are first-come, first-serve. Group camping is also available. Thirty-four campsites are also accessible.
Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. There are 30 tent-only sites. Parking spurs range from 25 to 40 feet for tent sites and 40 to 50 feet for trailer/RV sites. Each site also has a table, food storage locker (bear box), fire ring and grate.
Campground amenities include drinking water, showers, vault toilets and trash collection. There’s also a boat ramp, picnic areas, swimming beach and a dump station. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host. Cell service is good.
Sunset Union Valley Reservoir – Area Recreation
The main attraction is the beautiful reservoir which offers a variety of water recreation including boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming and sailing. Visitors can also enjoy mountain biking or hiking through the towering cedar and Ponderosa pines of Eldorado National Forest. Eldorado includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s.
Other campgrounds in the area include Wench Creek, West Point, Camino Cove, Yellowjacket, Smud, Azalea Cove, Jones Fork, Fashoda and Wolf Creek.
Make a Reservation for Sunset Union Valley Reservoir
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Boat Launch/Ramp
- Boat Ramp
- Cafe
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service - Good
- Comfort Station
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Food Storage Locker
- Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Recycling Center
- Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
- Showers
- Trash Collection
Activities
- Beach
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Boating (non motorized)
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Paddle boarding (SUP)
- Paddle Boating
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Reservoir
- Sailing
- Stargazing
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
- Water Sports
- Wildlife Viewing
Pollock Pines, California 95726
530 293-0827
Lat / Long:
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- Group
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
121
Campsite Vehicle Size:
25 to 50 feet.
Season:
Late May – Late September
Elevation:
4,977
Sunset Union Valley Reservoir Comments & Reviews
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I would like to know where you got the map of the Sunset-Union Valley campground that you have posted on your site? How old is it? It shows different numbers than the campground had last year and now I’m confused.
Hi Juls,
Thanks for pointing that out. We had a dated campground map. I just uploaded the current Sunset Union Valley Reservoir campground map (from US Forest Service) and you can click on the ‘Campground Map’ button to view it. It is also below. Thanks again!
Thank you!!
You’re welcome and thanks again for the heads up!
What is the difference between the RV sites and the general sites? None have water or power, so aren’t they all the same with overall length being the only difference?
Hi Sherrie,
Good question! There are three RV only campsites (24, 26 and 100), 30 tent-only sites and the others can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. “Standard” sites include the tent only and other sites (for tents, trailers and RVs). As you pointed out, none have hookups. Hope this answers your question.
Hi, I am trying to download the current map you have picture of Sunset Campground. I tried going to the forest service website but cannot find it. Can you let me know the specific site?
Hi Tanya,
Here is the link to the USFS website for Sunset – Union Valley Reservoir Campground:
Hello, I noticed a comment above from July 2021 where you had an old campground map loaded, but you replied to the poster that you have now uploaded an updated map. Question: are the site photos associated with the site numbers from the old map? For example, the spots that should have water view do not in the photos (and vice versa)….which makes me think the photos still have the “old” site numbers associated with them. Can you confirm? Are you able to update the site numbers for the photos so that the photo is associated to the correct new site numbers on the updated campground map? I hope this makes sense 🙂 Thank you!
HI Jen,
Thanks for the heads up and reminder. The recently redid the campground area and we are scheduled to get new photos of the campsites this (late) spring. We will post the updated campsite photos as soon as we get those done.
How far of a distance/walk are the inner campsites to the water? All waterfront sites are booked out and I’m just curious how big the campground or how far of a walk we would have when looking at the sites available. Site 102 for example?
Also, the water obviously surrounds the campground, but there are only 2 labeled trails. Does that mean that if we were at campsite 33 for example we would need to walk all the way over to campsite 60 or 80 area to access the lake or is there swimmable options near 33 as well?
Hi Heather,
The “inner campsites” range in distance from about 500 to 700 feet (as the crow flies) to the water’s edge. Campsite #102 is about 550 feet (as the crow flies), and about 1000 feet if using the camp roads and the trail over by campsite #80. The rangers would prefer you use the camp trails to access the beach/water. I’m not sure if it is a written rule. You won’t want to walk through someones campsite though. Hope this helps some!
sunset union valley campground I got the group site 35 does it have 2 picnic table and 2 bear boxes on that site ???
Hi Tiffany,
Campsite #35 does have 2 picnic tables and 2 bear boxes. It is a “double” site and can accommodate up to 12 people and 4 vehicles. The driveway length is 90 feet.
I am trying to figure out what spaces are really FF. Looking at the reservation site it looks like spots 81-98 are in a great location and are marked as FF. Is this really true. It sounds like these spots fill up fast and just trying to figure out how feasible it is to go up Wednesday or Thursday and get one or two of these spots. Do you know if spots 81-98 are really FF? It also looks like on the reservation site that there are 49 FF spots, is this true?
Hi Nick,
The campsites with an ‘FF’ on Rec.gov are in fact first-come, first-serve. Right now I’d say about 55-60% of the campground has first-come, first-serve campsites, but that percentage changes during the summer with about 35-40% held as first-come, first-serve sites starting in late June through Labor Day. The campground is popular and the campsites do fill up fast. A mid-week arrival will greatly improve your chances. Also check to see how many of the reservable campsites are available around the time you want to camp. This would give you an indication of how popular the campground may be during that time period. Best of luck!
Hello,
I was reading the comments about the updated photos and I was wondering if the updated photos have been posted yet.
Hi Heidi,
Yes, all campsite photos for Sunset Union Valley Reservoir have been updated and are current. We re-photographed the campground in 2022.
Thank you so much! We really appreciate your website.
You’re welcome – and thank you for your support!
Cuales números son de el que llega primero agarra primer.
Hola Edith,
Los campings por orden de llegada son 81-98, 112, 119, 120 y 121.
Site 77 – the little path to the shore near this site – is the shore at the end of that path a decent spot to set up umbrellas and paddleboards? Is there sand? (we usually stay in loop 4 which has a great little beach)
Hi Jen,
We don’t have an employee on site, but campsite #77 is one of our favorites at Sunset (Union Valley Reservoir) Campground. It’s large, off by itself and (as you pointed out) has access down to the water. Depending on the water level there is a good/open area to set up umbrellas, paddle-boards, etc. The “beach” has some sand and rocks. You should be able to find a nice patch of sand to hang. Have fun!
Hello,
I would like to find out how many cars site#22 can accommodate? It’s a double site, and I assume it should fit at least 4 cars, but would greatly appreciate the confirmation. Thank you!
Hi Olga,
Per Rec.gov, campsite #22 can have up to 12 people and 2 vehicles max. It is a double site and the parking spur is 48 feet long (about 16 feet wide), so you could fit a 3rd or maybe a 4th car, but not sure if the camp host would approve.
Hello! We will be staying at site 65 on Monday May 27th. Wondering if it is a pretty private site ? We are taking a baby and are hoping we don’t annoy any neighbors we have . Thanks !
Hi Charky,
Sunset Union Valley Reservoir campsite #65 is really nice (one of our favorites). It has great views, is large/level and a lot of space between neighbors with great privacy. Have fun!
Is the boat ramp in at Sunset this year?
I believe so but you can call 530 622-5061 to confirm the status of the boat ramp at Sunset Campground – Union Valley Reservoir.