Stanislaus National Forest - Utica/Union Reservoirs

Area Status: Open

View of lake from rock outcrop above with trees and mountains in background

Boat launch area with signs and trees in foreground, lake in background

Lake with beach and boat in foreground, trees and mountains in background

Lake with rock outcrops, trees in background

Beach area of lake with boat launch sign

Lake within rocky area, umbrella barely visible at the day use area table

Lake with grass and trees in foreground, mountains and trees in background

Trees and people in foreground lake, trees, and mountains in background

Beach area of lake with mountains and trees in background

Dirt ramp leading into lake with mountains and trees in background

Picnic table in forest with lake in background

This page is for the Utica/Union Reservoirs area; visit the Utica Reservoirs Campgrounds, Union East Campground, and Union West Campground Pages to view campground statuses.

These scenic small, twin reservoirs are located off the Spicer Reservoir Road. The setting is more rustic than either Spicer Reservoir or Lake Alpine. The area is popular for fishing, camping, and boating.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Calaveras Ranger District (HWY 4) (Not the campgrounds)
Reservations:	No reservations; first-come, first-served
Area Amenities:	Boat ramp, Tent camping, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking
Fees:	The Forest Service operates the Utica/Union Recreation Area and charges the following fees: Campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 are $25 per night and fee raises to $30 per night in 2026. Union East Boating fee is $5 per boat per day. 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, Senior, Military, 4th Grade and Volunteer passes do provide free boat fee.
Best Season:	Summer
Busiest Season:	Summer, Fall
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. For Utica Reservoir, turn left and continue one mile. For Union East, turn right and continue one mile. For Union West, turn right and go .3 miles, bear left at the fork onto 7N75C, and continue a half-mile. Spicer Reservoir Road is 27 miles east of the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, California.

General Notes:

Utica Reservoir is managed for non-motorized boating; it has two dirt ramps designed for hand-launching of non-motorized boats. Campgrounds include Rocky Point, 12 sites, and Sandy Flat, 11 single sites and one triple site. There are two day-use parking areas, one adjacent to Rocky Point Campground and the other across the road from Sandy Flat Campground. There is no fee for day use.

Union Reservoir has a dirt boat launch at Union East Campground with a boating fee of $5 per boat per day. Maximum boat speed is 5 mph. Campgrounds include Union West, 18 sites, and Union East 11 sites. Free day-use parking is available at both campgrounds.

No dispersed camping within the Recreation Area. Campfire permit is required if having a fire while camping on an island, only use existing rock fire rings. Please practice Leave No Trace principles and Pack it in Pack it out for your waste. Island camping is not conducive with burying human waste, please pack out your feces, toilet paper and feminine products.