Union East Campground

Area Status: Closed
Tent trailer in foreground under trees, lake and mountains in background

 

Union Reservoir is set in a granite basin with expansive mountain views. The reservoir has lots of small islands and is kept mostly full. The campground is adjacent to the reservoir, nestled in red fir and lodgepole pine forest.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Calaveras Ranger District (Hwy 4)
Reservations: No reservations; first-come, first-served
Area Amenities:
  • Picnic tables
  • Tent camping: 11 campsites
  • Parking: Large gravel parking lot for day users; campsites have their own parking spaces.
  • Toilets: Vault
  • Fee charged for some activities: Fee for camping; day use free.
  • Boat ramp: Dirt boat ramp designed for small watercraft.
Fees: The Forest Service operates the Union East Campground and charges the following fees: New campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 $25 per night and fee raises to $30 per night in 2026.   The America the Beautiful, Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate. Only applicable to the single site the pass holder occupies.  Pass number must be written on fee envelope. The Interagency Annual and Volunteer passes do not provide any discounts on camping.
Best Season: Summer, early fall
Busiest Season: Summer, especially weekends
Closest Towns: Bear Valley to the east, Arnold to the west
Water: No potable water
Restroom: Vault toilets
Passes: America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes and Golden Age and Golden Access passes accepted, reduces camping fee to half-price per night.
Operated By: US Forest Service

General Information

Directions:

From Highway 4, turn onto Spicer Reservoir Road (paved) and go 8 miles. Turn left onto 7N75; from there the roads are gravel. Continue .7 miles to a T-intersection. Turn right and continue one mile. Spicer Reservoir Road is 27 miles east of the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, California.


General Notes:

Bear boxes are available at this campground.

Potable water is located at the intersection of 7N75 & 7N17, water is avaiable by a spigot is supplied from a well. 


Parking:

Park in designated spots, each campsite is allowed 2 vehicles if they fit in the parking spur. Limited overflow parking is at the boat ramp. 


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

Lake and Pond Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

A .4-mile trail leads from Union West Campground to Union East Campground. From Union East, the trail continues 1.5 miles to Elephant Rock Lake. Three trails branch out from there leading into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

Boating - Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:

Boating - Non-Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Featured Events

Location

 
  Latitude : 
38.428128

  Longitude : 
-119.992264

  Elevation : 
6,800 feet