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Eldorado/Wolf Creek
Overview
Eldorado / Wolf Creek offers a serene escape into the heart of the Eldorado National Forest. Located near Pollock Pines, this campground provides a quintessential mountain experience characterized by towering pines and crisp Sierra air. Unlike modern luxury resorts, this destination focuses on the natural environment, offering a rustic camping atmosphere where the sounds of the forest take center stage. It serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the high-country wilderness of Northern California.
Location & Surroundings
Situated at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet, the park is nestled among a dense canopy of ponderosa pine and cedar trees. The surroundings are dominated by the rugged beauty of the Crystal Basin area. The campground sits close to the shores of Union Valley Reservoir, providing easy access to one of the region's largest bodies of water. The terrain is hilly and shaded, offering cool temperatures even during the peak of the California summer.
Amenities & Park Features
Wolf Creek features standard forest service amenities designed for comfort in the wild. Each campsite includes a heavy-duty picnic table and a fire ring for evening gatherings. The facility provides basic essentials for travelers:
- Vault toilets located conveniently throughout the loops.
- Seasonal potable water spigots for drinking and cooking.
- Paved parking spurs to assist with vehicle leveling.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Water recreation is the primary draw, with Union Valley Reservoir offering boat ramps, fishing for trout, and swimming. Hikers can explore the Yellowjacket Shoreline Trail, which winds along the water’s edge for miles, providing stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks. A short drive away, visitors can visit the Sly Park Recreation Area or venture further into the Crystal Basin for more secluded alpine lakes and strenuous mountain treks.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for nature enthusiasts and dry campers who prioritize scenery and solitude over modern luxuries. If you enjoy waking up to the smell of pine needles and spending your days on the water, this is a perfect fit. It is ideal for mid-sized RVs and camper vans looking for a primitive forest experience without the distractions of cell service or city noise.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Angie Parrish
Always our go too. Close campsites to the lake. Very family oriented. Love this place ben going years. ❤️
Marcy Schaffer-Egot
Gorgeous Wolf Creek (next door Campground is Yellow Jacket Campground- in the El Dorado National Forest. Open from May to September. The lake is: Union Valley Reservoir -it is like a jewel. Camp hosts are nice. Campground is clean. People are friendly. We come up here every year because it’s less than two hours from our home in Auburn. Important, in case of a emergency we do have cell phone service and even Wi-Fi using your data. Many folks come up here from Sacramento and surrounding areas. My husband likes to fish on the lake. We haven’t had much luck fishing this year second week in July, but we’re still enjoying our camping trip and the beauty of the lake. It is very peaceful and relaxing.
Sophia Christensen
Spot 7! All spots are nice and close to the lake. Bear territory so put alllll things away at night and clean up all food/throw trash away. They come out as early as 10pm! Nice and quiet we will be back. Bathrooms clean and they do have TP. All spots have grill, bear box (brown vault), picnic table and fire pit. Very clean camp ground and friendly
Allred
This place is amazing, the beautiful scenic views were to die for and the people were so friendly. Especially John and Bonnie who helped us out when were driving around for hours looking for a first come first campsite. Honestly couldn’t find a better place to camp out with your family! From your friendly campers on site #39.
Tristan Herman
We much prefer this side of the lake to the larger campgrounds like Sunset and Wench. Wolf creek isn't as "modern" but I think it better matches the camping atmosphere. We were in the lower loop section (site 28) but all the sites are close to the water. The beach is decent with easy access but plenty of sharp rocks and dirt. Early July the water is still a bit chilly but feels great on a warm day. Western Toads come out at night around the shore so check them out if you like. The camp host was nice and made the rounds after 10pm to make sure everyone was keeping the noise down. Obviously it will be very hit or miss with the type of people camping but everyone was very respectful and quiet at night. Bathrooms are pits with only one stall. They were pretty gross. Dirty floors, tons of flies, poop under the seats, mystery stains on the top of the seats/lid. Toilet paper was out a few times as well so make sure you have some of your own. There are dumpsters for garbage and recycling for cans (although since nobody crushes their cans, they're always full). The campsites: The bear boxes are large (larger than yellowjacket but a little smaller than sunset) but you should be able to fit any size cooler(s) plus any other food/smelly stuff. There's a fire ring and stand alone grill plus a large table. Our table's paint was terrible and flaking off in big chunks. The paint chips would get stuck to anything wet or get jammed under your fingernails. Overall we definitely enjoyed our stay and will most likely return. It's not perfect but its camping anyway