
Wench Creek
California
Free — you'll pick up right here.
Conditions: Caution
for campground, todayAgency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good
2 factors · 2 sources
Newest 6 h ago · oldest 7 h
caution: Agency alerts
13 active alerts in Eldorado National Forest; most severe: Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide
USFSPosted Sep 22 · checked 7 h ago
clear: Weather
Clear, high 78°F / low 57°F, 2% precip — 99/100 for campground
OpenWeather6 h ago
Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.
Campsite availability
Live from Recreation.gov for Wench Creek.
Here's your stay, mapped
Wench Creek
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Gear for the day
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About this campground
Overview 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. Recreation 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. Facilities 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 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 ). Natural Features 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. Nearby Attractions The Desolation Wilderness is nearby, offering the opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of nature. Charges & Cancellations 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. 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. 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).
Directions & GPX
Facts about this campground
Where it is
- Pacific Ranger District · Ranger district
- Eldorado National Forest · National forest
Source: USFS EDW boundaries
Conditions
Active alerts for Eldorado National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:
Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide
fire-restriction · posted Sep 30, 2026
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Mokelumne Wilderness Restricted Use
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Occupancy and Use Restrictions - Desolation Wilderness Area
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Deer Valley Trail (19E01) & Meadow Lake Road (09N01)
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Silver Bear Wheeled Vehicle Closure
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Desolation Wilderness Food and Refuse Storage Restriction
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Camping Occupancy Restrictions
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- Azalea Cove CampgroundCamping0.7 mi
- YellowjacketCamping0.8 mi
- Millionaire TrailHiking1.6 mi
- UNION VALLEY BIKE TRAILHiking1.8 mi
- Little Silver CreekCanoeing3.5 mi
- Big Silver CreekCanoeing3.9 mi
- Long Face BoulderRock climbing4.4 mi
- Ice House ReservoirRock climbing4.7 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
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