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Eldorado/Yellowjacket
Overview
Located within the majestic Eldorado National Forest, Yellowjacket Campground offers a quintessential Sierra Nevada escape. This campground serves as a gateway to the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, providing a serene environment where the scent of pine fills the air. It is situated along the shores of the Union Valley Reservoir, making it a premier destination for those who want to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the great outdoors. The atmosphere is peaceful and rugged, catering to travelers who appreciate a natural forest setting over a traditional resort experience.
Location & Surroundings
Yellowjacket is nestled at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet, surrounded by a dense canopy of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The campground is located near Pollock Pines, CA, providing a high-country retreat that remains accessible for most RVers. The terrain is characterized by its proximity to the water, offering stunning views of the Union Valley Reservoir against a backdrop of granite peaks. The surrounding wilderness is home to diverse wildlife and provides a cool refuge during the warm summer months typical of Northern California.
Amenities & Park Features
As a Forest Service facility, the amenities at Yellowjacket emphasize a rustic experience. The park provides paved parking pads that can accommodate various RV lengths, though it is important to note there are no hookups available. Each site is equipped with a heavy-duty picnic table and a campfire ring with a grill. On-site facilities include vault toilets and access to potable drinking water. While the park lacks the luxury of a commercial site, its well-spaced lots offer a level of privacy and immersion in nature that is hard to find elsewhere.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw for visitors is the direct access to the Union Valley Reservoir. A nearby boat ramp allows for easy launching of motorized boats, kayaks, and canoes. Anglers frequently visit to test their skills against the local trout and kokanee salmon populations. For those who prefer land-based activities, the Union Valley Bike Trail provides miles of paved paths that wind through the forest and connect various campgrounds. Hikers can also explore numerous trails throughout the Eldorado National Forest, ranging from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain treks.
Who This Park Is Best For
Yellowjacket is an ideal choice for boating enthusiasts and anglers who want to stay close to the water. It is perfectly suited for self-contained RVers who enjoy dry camping and value a quiet, scenic environment over modern conveniences like Wi-Fi or laundry facilities. Families looking for an authentic mountain adventure will find the large sites and proximity to the lake perfect for a summer getaway. If your travel style involves star-gazing by a campfire and waking up to the sounds of the forest, this park is a fantastic fit.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Kyle Haney (Globetrotterkyle)
This was our favorite campground in Northern California to date! Marty (The campground host) does a great job keeping the bathrooms clean, and the campgrounds in good condition and organized. There's a boat launch into the lake, and a day use area where you can park as well. At night, it's perfectly quiet, and you can see the Milky Way Galaxy! If you're looking for a place to camp, look no further!
Tristan Herman
Update July 2025: Still a fantastic campground! The paved trail between camps is now finished so you can ride bikes around the area (haven't done it ourselves). Bathrooms have always been clean and stocked (still not a bad idea to bring your own TP just in case). Firewood is a few bucks more and you buy it from the new kiosk (credit card) and get it from the host. Bear have come into camp every year we've stayed so put anything enticing away. Bear box dimensions - opening: 28.5"W x 32"H. Inside dimensions: 43" wide x 26" deep x 35-40" (top of boxes are sloped) high. The small opening on the boxes can be a problem for larger coolers. I had two 64qt wheeled igloo coolers (dark blue from Costco) that we were able to stuff in there. Original Review: One of the top campgrounds I've stayed at over the years. We stayed in the middle of June so the grounds were only open for a few weeks but everything was very tidy with mulch spread everywhere and brush/needles removed for fire safety. Looks like newly paved roads around the camp too. Maybe they redid the whole area? Toilets are just your standard pits but every morning a friendly lady would come and make sure they were stocked and clean. Most of the sites in the area are well shaded but there are some hours when the sun beats down pretty hard. We stayed in site 6 and were quite happy with the location. There is running water located around the various sites as well as multiple bathroom buildings. There are also locking dumpsters for your garbage and recycling boxes for cans/bottles. The sites all have fire pits, large wooden tables, and metal bear boxes. I didn't get the exact measurements of the bear box but we were able to fit a large wheeled cooler, a smaller cooler, and multiple boxes of supplies/food (see picture). Speaking of bears, there was a young bear who came into camp one night so make sure all your stuff is put away properly. The camp is almost at 5000 feet so make sure to pack warm stuff, it got down to the upper 30s one night while we were there. The camp host sells fire wood for $8 a bundle if you need more too. Oh, Verizon has 5g out there so cell signal is great, better than my house lol. The lake is obviously beautiful but the banks are steepish so finding an area to relax next to the water requires some searching/off trail exploring. The water was pretty cold but we took a dip anyway. There is a store at Ice House Resort located about 20 minutes away if you need more ice/drinks but you'll pay for the convenience. There's also a great easy hike to Bassi falls located about 12 minutes away, highly recommended. It was our first time staying in the area and we will definitely be back, a lot of the beauty of Tahoe area without all the crowds.
Esther Dsouza
Cozy campground. Easy access to lake and hikes in the vicinity. Short drive to Bassi Falls
Lucy
Beautiful campground. Clean facilities, friendly host and ample parking. 10/10 would stay here again. Boat ramp is convenient. Didn't try the bike path, looks like it's under construction. Pet friendly place. Restrooms are clean and well-maintained. Vault toilets only. I didn't see any Yellowjackets. Lol Plenty of cell service on verizon, data too.
Fred Zippa
One of the best lakes ever. It feels like Northern lakes with all of this beauty. Restrooms are fine, water entrance is good