Wench Creek
Campground · California · 100 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
- 100
- Bookable sites
- 35 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 50
- People per site
- 4,898 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Wench Creek Campground is located in a beautiful ponderosa pine forest on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir. The campground has 2 group campsites and several single family campsites. Plenty of water activities await at this reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills.The Union Valley Bike Trail and Bassi Falls Hiking Trail are worth exploring. The Union Valley Trail runs right through Wench Creek.
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, starting from Wench Creek on to the Jones Fork Campground. Interpretive signs along the trail tell the story of the use and development of water resources in Union Valley. This trail can be used by both hikers and bikers.Anglers delight in seeking kokanee salmon, rainbow, brown, small mouth bass and mackinaw trout. The reservoir also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing and boating. Boat ramps are located near Sunset and Yellowjacket Campgrounds.
Facilities
Firewood is available for a fee and it is possible to moor boats on the shoreline. Amenities include grills, fire rings, drinking water, picnic tables and both vault toilets. Electric hook-ups are not available.
Single family sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One group site is tent-only, and the other is a standard site for tents, RVs, or trailers. Each group site can accommodate up to 50 people (more campground details).
Natural Features
Union Valley Reservoir sits in the Crystal Basin at an elevation of 4,900 feet. The area is part of the Eldorado National Forest.Eldorado includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Protected remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush are all around the region.
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.Charges & Cancellations
- Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes.
- Cancellation Fee: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
- Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 4 days before your arrival date. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (see Late Cancellation below).
- Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.
- 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).
The facts
- 100 bookable sites
- 102 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Vehicles up to 35 ft
- Up to 50 people per site
- Loops: WENC, Wench I, Wench II, Wench III
Site types
- 98 Standard Nonelectric
- 2 Group Standard Nonelectric
- 2 Management
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
102 campsites at Wench Creek
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 001 | WENC | Group Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 50 | 🐾 |
| Group 002 | WENC | Group Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 50 | 🐾 |
| 001 | Wench I | Management | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 002 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 003 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 004 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 005 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 006 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 007 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 008 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 010 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 011 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 013 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 014 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 016 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 017 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 018 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 019 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 020 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 021 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 022 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 023 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 024 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 025 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 026 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 027 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 028 | Wench I | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 029 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 030 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 031 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 032 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 033 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 034 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 035 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 036 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 037 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 038 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 039 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 040 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 041 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 042 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 043 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 044 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 045 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 046 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 047 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 048 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 049 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 050 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 051 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 052 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 053 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 054 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 055 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 056 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 057 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 058 | Wench II | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 059 | Wench III | Management | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 060 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 061 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 062 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 063 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 064 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 065 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 066 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 067 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 068 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 069 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 070 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 071 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 072 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 073 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 074 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 075 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 076 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 077 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 078 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 079 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 080 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 081 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 082 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 083 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 084 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 085 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 086 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 087 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 088 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 089 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 090 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 091 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 092 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 093 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 094 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 095 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 096 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 097 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 098 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 099 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 100 | Wench III | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
On Highway 50, go 21 miles east of Placerville to Riverton. Turn left on
Icehouse Riverton Road. Go 19 miles north to Wench Creek turnoff, then turn
left to campground.
38.89028, -120.37722 · 38°53'25.0"N 120°22'38.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 43°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 44 | 50 | 56 | 63 | 72 | 82 | 90 | 89 | 83 | 66 | 51 | 43 |
| Low °F | 32 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 42 | 47 | 53 | 53 | 49 | 41 | 35 | 31 |
| Precip in | 9.6 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 4.9 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 5.3 | 9.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
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.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Wench Creek
- Can you reserve a site at Wench Creek?
- Yes, Wench Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Wench Creek have?
- 102 sites in total, of which 100 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Wench Creek?
- 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Wench Creek?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Wench Creek.
- Are campfires allowed at Wench Creek?
- Campfires are allowed at Wench Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Wench Creek
- Yellowjacket 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Silver Group 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Wolf Creek California 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fashoda 1.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sunset-Union Valley 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Robbs Hut 2.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Point Campground 3.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Azalea Cove Campground 0.7 mi · Campground
- Sunset Campground 1.9 mi · Campground
- Lone Rock Campground 1.9 mi · Campground
- Jones Fork Campground 2.2 mi · Campground
- Camino Cove Campground 2.9 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 831-245-6891
- Email info@royalelkparkmanagement.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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