Wolf Creek California

Campground · California · 44 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest (NF) · Open Access

44
Bookable sites
50 ft
Max rig length
up to 50
People per site
16
Accessible sites
4,860 ft
Elevation
WOLF CREEK CALIFORNIA

Overview

Wolf Creek Campground is a modern facility on the north shore of Union Valley Reservoir. The reservoir offers plenty of opportunities for water activities like sailing, boating, swimming and fishing. Bring a bike to explore the neighboring bike trail.

Eldorado National Forest includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush are all around the region.

Recreation

The paved 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 down to 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 seek rainbow, brown and mackinaw trout or kokanee salmon. The reservoir also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing and boating. The nearest boat ramp is at Yellowjacket Campground.

Facilities

Sites in this two-loop campground come with picnic tables, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers. Most of the family sites will accommodate up to five small tents (1-2 person) or two medium-sized family tents (4-6 people). Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Single, double and group campsites for up to 25 or 50 guests are all reservable. Some sites are tent-only.

A host is on-site, and firewood may be available for a fee (more campground details).

Natural Features

At an elevation of 4,900 feet, Wolf Creek sits in the Crystal Basin of the Sierra Nevadas. This is an area known for granite peaks, alpine lakes and pine forest.

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.

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

  • Season: June – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 44 bookable sites
  • 16 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 50 ft
  • Up to 50 people per site
  • Loops: CALI, GRP, WOLF

Site types

  • 40 Standard Nonelectric
  • 2 Group Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
  • 1 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

44 campsites at Wolf Creek California

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
002CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft6♿ 🐾
003CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
004CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
005CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved50 ft6 🐾
006CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
007CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
008CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
009CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
010CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
011CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
012CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft6♿ 🐾
013CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
014CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
015CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
016CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
017CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
018CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
019CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
020CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
021CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
022CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft6♿ 🐾
023CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6 🐾
024CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
025CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
026CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
027CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
028CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft6 🐾
029CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
030CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
031CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6 🐾
032CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6♿ 🐾
034CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft6♿ 🐾
035CALITent Only Nonelectric—Paved—6♿ 🐾
037CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft6♿ 🐾
039CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft6♿ 🐾
040CALIStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft12♿ 🐾
G1GRPGroup Tent Only Area NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft25 🐾
G2GRPGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPaved50 ft50 🐾
G3GRPGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPaved50 ft25 🐾
033WOLFStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft13 🐾
036WOLFStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft13 🐾
038WOLFStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft13 🐾
041WOLFStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft13 🐾

Getting there

From Placerville, get on Highway 50 and head east for 21 miles to Icehouse Road. Turn left 21 miles to turnoff. Then go three-quarters of a mile to campground.

38.88306, -120.40000 · 38°52'59.0"N 120°24'0.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 43°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F445056637282908983665143
Low °F323133364247535349413531
Precip in9.68.88.84.93.20.90.00.10.62.95.39.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.3 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 Wolf Creek California

Can you reserve a site at Wolf Creek California?
Yes, Wolf Creek California is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Wolf Creek California have?
44 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Wolf Creek California?
50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Wolf Creek California?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wolf Creek California.
Are campfires allowed at Wolf Creek California?
Campfires are allowed at Wolf Creek California. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Wolf Creek California also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Wolf Creek California's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $28/single $56/double

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Wolf Creek California

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-02.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.