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.
Phone
831-245-6891
Activities
BIKING, BOATING, CAMPING, FISHING, HIKING, SWIMMING SITE, SAILING
Keywords
SUNP,PENINSULA,SUNSET,UNION VALLEY,YELLOWJACKET,WOLF CREEK,LOON LAKE,SUNSET UNION VALLEY,ELDORADO NF – FS
Related Link(s)
California State Road Conditions
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
The large campground has 131 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.
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.
