Yellowjacket
Campground · California · 36 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
- 36
- Bookable sites
- 30 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 12
- People per site
- 5,012 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Yellowjacket Campground provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun on Union Valley Reservoir. The water plays host to an array of activities like water skiing and fishing. The surrounding cedar and ponderosa pine forest is a lovely setting for hiking and biking.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, from Jones Fork Campground to Wench Creek, and is open to hikers and bikers. The Bassi Falls Hiking Trail is also worth exploring.Anglers seek rainbow, brown and mackinaw trout or kokanee salmon. The reservoir also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing and boating. A boat ramp and boat trailer parking are provided at this campground.
Facilities
Sites are equipped with picnic tables, grills and campfire rings. The campground offers a dump station, drinking water, and vault toilets.
A host is on-site. Some sites at this camp are available on a first-come, first-served basis (more campground details)
Natural Features
Union Valley Reservoir sits in the Crystal Basin within the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 4,900 feet. The area is part of the Eldorado National Forest, which includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Protected remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush are all around the region.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.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (831) 245-6891.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
- 36 bookable sites
- 58 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Vehicles up to 30 ft
- Up to 12 people per site
- Loops: AREA YELLOWJACKET, YELL
Site types
- 34 Standard Nonelectric
- 22 Management
- 1 RV Nonelectric
- 1 Walk To
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
58 campsites at Yellowjacket
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 020 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 021 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 022 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 023 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 024 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 025 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 026 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 027 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 028 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 029 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 030 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 031 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 032 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 033 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 034 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 035 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 036 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 037 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 038 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 039 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 040 | AREA YELLOWJACKET | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 001 | YELL | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 002 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 003 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 004 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 005 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 006 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 007 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 008 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 010 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 011 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 24 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 013 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 12 | 🐾 |
| 014 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 016 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 017 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 018 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 019 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 12 | 🐾 |
| 20 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 21 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 22 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 23 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 24 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 25 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 26 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 27 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 28 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 29 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 30 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 31 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 32 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 33 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 34 | YELL | Walk To | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 35 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 12 | 🐾 |
| 36 | YELL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 37- Host Site | YELL | Management | Back In | Paved | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Placerville, take Highway 50 east. Go 21 miles to Icehouse Road. Turn left on Icehouse Road. Then drive 14 miles north to the Yellowjacket turnoff. Drive a half mile to the campground entrance.
38.89167, -120.39167 · 38°53'30.0"N 120°23'30.0"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 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 Yellowjacket
- Can you reserve a site at Yellowjacket?
- Yes, Yellowjacket is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Yellowjacket have?
- 58 sites in total, of which 36 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Yellowjacket?
- 30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Yellowjacket?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Yellowjacket.
- Are campfires allowed at Yellowjacket?
- Campfires are allowed at Yellowjacket. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Yellowjacket also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Yellowjacket's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $28 $10/boatramp day use Other fees: $10 dumping waste tank, extra vehicle
Camping near Yellowjacket
- Wolf Creek California 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Wench Creek 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fashoda 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Silver Group 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sunset-Union Valley 1.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Robbs Hut 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Point Campground 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Azalea Cove Campground 1.4 mi · Campground
- Sunset Campground 1.6 mi · Campground
- Lone Rock Campground 2 mi · Campground
- Camino Cove Campground 2.2 mi · Campground
- Jones Fork Campground 2.3 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 530-293-0827
- 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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