Sunset-Union Valley

Eldorado National Forest

Sunset Campground is situated on the shores of Union Valley Reservoir, among the towering cedar and ponderosa pines of Eldorado National Forest. Aptly named, the campground is a fantastic destination for colorful sunset views over the lake. All water activities are popular here, but it's also fun to bring a bike and explore the neighboring bike trail.

Eldorado includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush can be found all around the region.

The large campground has 121 single-unit sites including 30 tent-only spots. Amenities include a boat ramp with an accessible boarding dock, a paved parking area, dump station, vault toilets and drinking water. A swimming beach is also located onsite. 

The First Come First Serve sites located at this campground remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show occupied/available as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site. No guarantees upon arrival that these FF sites will be avaiable.

Need to Know

• Travel Notice: Starting May 2024 and continuing through September 2024, Ice House Road will be undergoing repairs. There will be traffic delays so plan your camping trip accordingly.

• Bears frequent the area; use appropiate food containers

• There are no electric/water/sewer site hook-ups at this facility

• Please Note: One vehicle per single site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.

• Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed; call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.

• Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

• 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).

• Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

• First Come First Serve sites remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show occupied/available as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site. No guarantees upon arrival that these FF sites will be avaiable.

• There are fees to move from a reserved site to first come first serve site. Site Transfer Policy 

• Click here for more information on the Eldorado National Forest

Natural Features

Sunset Campground sits in the Crystal Basin at an elevation of 5,000 feet. Some sites are fully shaded while others sit in a meadow. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Nearby Attractions

Venture to the nearby lake, Ice House Reservoir or hike up Twin Peaks to look down over Union Valley Reservoir.

A restaurant and general store are within 5 miles of the campground.

Recreation

On the water, sailing, boating and swimming are very popular. For hikers and bikers, the Union Valley Bike Trail and Bassi Falls Hiking Trail are great for exploring. Fishing in the lake includes rainbow, brown, mackinaw trout and kokanee salmon.

The bike trail connects with the campground, near the boat ramp, and stretches for 4.8 miles along the eastern shores of the lake.

Changes & Cancellations

• 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.
• 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. Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
• 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.

Contact Information

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ELDORADO CA

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 831-245-6891

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

On Highway 50, east of Placerville, travel for 21 miles to the Icehouse Road turnoff on your left. Continue north for 16 miles to the campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 120, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop Loop 2 Meadow, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 098, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 099, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 110, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 113, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 118, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 094, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 114, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 092, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 121, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 091, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 103, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 097, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 111, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 095, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop Loop 2 Meadow, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 090, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 089, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 105, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 117, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 104, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop Loop 2 Meadow, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 101, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 108, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 116, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 088, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 093, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 109, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 115, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 100, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 119, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 106, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 112, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 096, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Group, Loop , Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 107, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Loop 1 SHADY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop Loop 3 SUNSET, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop Loop 2 MEADOW , Type Standard Nonelectric

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