How much does camping cost at Wolf Creek California?

Camping fees at Wolf Creek California range from $36-$160/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Wolf Creek California first-come first-served or reservation?

Wolf Creek California accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Wolf Creek California before I book?

Yes! Wolf Creek California has 3 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Wolf Creek California?

Wolf Creek California is open May 22 to September 27. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Wolf Creek California?

Wolf Creek California does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Wolf Creek California have?

Wolf Creek California has 50 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Wolf Creek California?

Yes, pets are allowed at Wolf Creek California. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Wolf Creek California?

Wolf Creek California offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Wolf Creek California?

Popular activities at Wolf Creek California include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Wolf Creek California

Q: Can I have a campfire at Wolf Creek California?

Fire policies at Wolf Creek California: Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. Call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.15

129 reviews

ELDORADO, CA, USA

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Beach Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,900 ft

Price

$36 - $160/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Open from May 23 to ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Royal Elk Park Management Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,900 ft

Price

$36 - $160/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Open from May 23 to ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Royal Elk Park Management Official Website

Get Directions

Wolf Creek California

$36.00 - $160.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-143682: $160.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-143683: $140.00; GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC: $140.00; STANDARD...

Standard Site Fee$36.00

Group Site Fee$170.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

831-245-6891info@royalelkparkmanagement.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

ELDORADO, CA, USA

Wolf Creek California

ELDORADO, CA, USA

Nearby places

Placerville (approximately 42 miles

around 1 hour driving time), Sacramento (approximately 85 miles

around 1.5-2 hours driving time), South Lake Tahoe (around 50 miles).

Weather at Wolf Creek California

Current alerts(10)

Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle, and remove all food from area after eating.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
First Come First Serve sites remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show as occupied/available online as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site.
For more information on Eldorado National Forest, click here

Best Time to Camp at Wolf Creek California

Best season: summer. Summer offers full access to Union Valley Reservoir and the Crystal Basin at its warmest and most usable — expect sunny days in the mid-60s to mid-80s °F and cool nights in the low 40s to 50s. This is when swimming, boating, fishing, and mountain biking are at their peak and all campground facilities and boat ramps are open. Expect busy holiday weekends and high demand for sites (reservations run June 23–August 31), and be prepared for possible fire restrictions on very dry years. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is peak season with full reservoir access, warm days and abundant water recreation.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 27. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 23 to September 28 annually. Reservations begin June 23 and close August 31 each year.

About Wolf Creek California

Wolf Creek California sits in Eldorado National Forest near Placerville, offering mid-elevation access to Union Valley Reservoir and the Crystal Basin. Operated by Royal Elk Park Management, this mid-sized campground serves tent campers, RV users, and groups with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors come for reservoir swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking during the seasonal operating window.

Wolf Creek Campground provides options for tent camping, group camping, and a few double sites for small families. No RV hookups or luxury accommodations are available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers full access to Union Valley Reservoir and the Crystal Basin at its warmest and most usable — expect sunny days in the mid-60s to mid-80s °F and cool nights in the low 40s to 50s. This is when swimming, boating, fishing, and mountain biking are at their peak and all campground facilities and boat ramps are open. Expect busy holiday weekends and high demand for sites (reservations run June 23–August 31), and be prepared for possible fire restrictions on very dry years. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation4900 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested pocket of the Crystal Basin, where granite peaks rise above Union Valley Reservoir and dense stands of pine provide shade and structure. At this elevation, the landscape includes alpine lakes, granite outcrops, and forest vegetation typical of the Sierra Nevada's mid-elevation zone. Wildlife sightings include black bears, mule deer, and bobcats. Some campsites have limited natural shade, so visitors often bring their own structures.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not provide hotel-style lodging accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned for this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Most family sites accommodate up to five small tents or two medium-sized family tents.

Groups

Group campsites can accommodate up to 25 or 50 guests, suitable for larger gatherings.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at Recreation.gov, through the app, and by phone.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets are available, but specific accessibility features for individuals with disabilities are not detailed in the provided information.

Site SizeMost family sites accommodate up to five small tents or two medium-sized family tents. Large group sites can host up to 25 or 50 guests.

PrivacyCampsites are generally spaced far enough apart for privacy, though some reviewers noted noise issues from other campers.

Total Campsites50 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites closer to the reservoir for easier water access. Sites with more shade are ideal for summer camping.

Best CampsitesSite 28 gets mentioned in reviews for proximity to water and amenities. Site 35 offers more seclusion.

Need help booking Wolf Creek California?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Wolf Creek Campground, located in the Crystal Basin of the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 4,900 feet, offers a mix of amenities catering to campers seeking water recreation and hiking opportunities. The campground features picnic tables, campfire rings, bear-proof food storage lockers, and drinking water. Firewood may be available for a fee, and a host is present on-site. Vault toilets are available, but reviews indicate cleanliness issues and infrequent maintenance.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Wolf Creek Campground offers a variety of recreational activities, including water-based activities like swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as hiking and biking along scenic trails. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant in the surrounding Sierra Nevada Range.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Only vault toilets are provided.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food storage lockers are provided at all sites and are large enough to fit multiple coolers and boxes.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. Call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.

Trash & RecyclingThe campground includes dumpsters for trash and recycling bins for cans. However, reviews note that the bins frequently fill up, and trash collection may be insufficient during peak times.

Cell CoverageCell phone service availability is not specified for Wolf Creek Campground, but given the remote location, service may be unreliable.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

129 reviews

Satisfactory

Wolf Creek California is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the campground's scenic location near Union Valley Reservoir and its rich recreational offerings. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and accessibility to water-based activities. However, complaints about the poor condition of vault toilets and inconsistent enforcement of campground rules are recurring themes.

Review Summaries

Based on 129 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 129 reviews.

Site 28Mentioned
Site 28 is highlighted for its proximity to the lake and amenities but noted for issues like flaking paint on picnic tables.
Site 37Mentioned
Site 37 is described as nice but with intrusive host behavior.

What Campers Love

Visitors praise the beauty of the reservoir, the range of outdoor activities, and the helpfulness of some camp hosts. Several reviewers commend the spacious campsites and opportunities for relaxation.

Based on 129 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaints include the poor maintenance of vault toilets, overcrowding, noise from other campers, and issues with trash collection. Some reviewers also mention the presence of wasps.

Based on 129 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own toilet paper as backups and prepare for wasps by bringing traps or repellents. Consider extra shade structures for campsites with limited natural shade.

Based on 129 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summers are popular due to warm weather and water recreation, but drought conditions and fire restrictions can impact activities. Winter camping is not mentioned, suggesting limited off-season use.

Based on 129 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'We camp here as often as possible and enjoy daily walks, fishing, or just hanging out relaxing the day away.' - Juan Ar 2. 'The bathrooms are pits with only one stall. They were pretty gross....

Based on 129 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible features are not thoroughly reviewed, but vault toilets are noted as accessible.

Based on 129 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and many reviewers bring their dogs for outdoor recreation.

Based on 129 reviews

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Go if

You want spacious sites near Union Valley Reservoir with a full range of water and trail activities.

Skip if

You need consistently clean facilities or prefer quieter campgrounds away from holiday weekend crowds.

Nearby Campgrounds

Yellowjacket sits at 4,900 feet in Eldorado National Forest, offering tent and RV camping near Union Valley Reservoir. Operated by Royal Elk Park Management, the campground provides access to swimming, shore fishing, and trails through cedar and ponderosa forest. Summer brings warm days and cool nights, with flush and vault toilets, a dump station, and spacious sites among the trees.