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Wench Creek Campground is located in a beautiful ponderosa pine forest on the east shore of Union Valley Reservoir. The campground has 2 group campsites and several single family campsites. Plenty of water activities await at this reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The Union Valley Bike Trail and Bassi Falls Hiking Trail are worth exploring. The Union Valley Trail runs right through Wench Creek.
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, starting from Wench Creek on to the Jones Fork Campground. Interpretive signs along the trail tell the story of the use and development of water resources in Union Valley. This trail can be used by both hikers and bikers.
Anglers delight in seeking kokanee salmon, rainbow, brown, small mouth bass and mackinaw trout. The reservoir also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing and boating. Boat ramps are located near Sunset and Yellowjacket Campgrounds.
Firewood is available for a fee and it is possible to moor boats on the shoreline. Amenities include grills, fire rings, drinking water, picnic tables and both vault and flush toilets. Electric hook-ups are not available.
Single family sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One group site is tent-only, and the other is a standard site for tents, RVs or trailers. Each group site can accommodate up to 50 people ([more campground details](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_018805.pdf)).
Union Valley Reservoir sits in the Crystal Basin at an elevation of 4,900 feet. The area is part of the Eldorado National Forest.
Eldorado includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Protected remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush are all around the region.
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.
The Desolation Wilderness is nearby, offering the opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of nature.
* 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: 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 14 days before your arrival date.
* Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.
On Highway 50, go 21 miles east of Placerville to Riverton. Turn left on Icehouse Riverton Road. Go 19 miles north to Wench Creek turnoff, then turn left to campground.
Absolutely love this campground! Been coming for about 10 yrs now. Very relaxing ,nice big sites, newly installed bear boxes make it even better. Bathrooms in campground 1 are flush. Bathrooms in 2&3 are vaulted.. not a far walk from any site to bathrooms and water.. great place... Love it can't wait until next time..
Spent two days in early June at this lovely CG; had it almost all to ourselves. It’s about 15 miles off Hwy. 50, but all on nicely paved roads. Nicely maintained CG, and our site was within a stones throw of the big reservoir. Very nice husband and wife campground hosts. Took the 4.5 mile out and back hike to a nearby Bassi Creek Upper falls, a fun hike and spectacular end-result.
Original plan was to go to Sunset campground, it was full so I was directed here. Came on a Thursday before Memorial day weekend.
About half of the spaces are first come first serve. We were able to get a great space 30 meters away from the lake.
Bathrooms are a little sketch, they don't flush, vault style; but the host do their best to keep it clean.
There are nice beaches and areas to swim and fish from shore. I had no luck with fishing.
Camp host were polite, no issues. Overall this is a great campground, especially if you get a space near the reservoir/lake.
This was a beautiful place to take my vacation! Wish i could have stayed longer. The bears are even peaceful just put ur food away. The camp sights are big and quiet and have everything i needed.
Wench Creek was a lovely campground. However, my complaint would be that the stench from the toilets was unbearable and unusable. If you are in a campground nearby and the wind direction shifts be warned the smell is very unpleasant. We came in on a Sunday and the toilets were not serviced until Wednesday. Hence the reason for only a three ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.
