California · Camping · Near Bear Valley

Union West

from $30
fee
May–Sep
best months

Is Union West open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Union West, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 6,870 ft
  • Calaveras Ranger DistrictStanislaus National Forest

Union West is a Forest Service campground in the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California. It sits among a cluster of recreation sites, with Union East campground just 0.3 miles away and Utica/Union Reservoirs about 0.7 miles off. The site has vault toilets, and a fee is charged for stays. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s and only about two wet days a month, while winter highs hover near 43°F with lows in the teens. Union Rock Lake is a hike 0.4 miles away, and Utica Sandy Flat campground is 0.8 miles off. Climbers can head to Spicer Reservoir, about 1.4 miles away, and anglers will find Lake Alpine Recreation Area roughly 3.7 miles from the site.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Union West

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rebas 's Toll House Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Union West

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 32.5 mi away at 6,314 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Union West

Book on Recreation.gov

Reserve