Union Valley Reservoir
- Type
- Mountain reservoir
- Elevation
- About 4,900 ft
- Ramps
- Main launch, Yellowjacket, West Point
- Trailer parking
- About 140 spaces
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Pump-out
- Camping
- Restrooms
About this lake
Union Valley Reservoir is in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area of the Eldorado National Forest, at about 4,900 feet north of Highway 50.
On the water
Paved ramps at Yellowjacket, West Point and the main launch area take motorboats and water sports, with parking for about 140 cars and trailers and a pump-out. Because of the golden mussel, the Forest Service asks boaters to clean, drain and dry and to check current launch requirements first.
Camping and fishing
Eleven campgrounds ring the lake, including Yellowjacket, Wench Creek, Sunset and Fashoda. Anglers catch kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, mackinaw and rainbow trout, with trout stocked in summer.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Take Ice House Road north from Highway 50 into the Crystal Basin.
Launch rules
The Eldorado National Forest asks boaters to clean, drain and dry every boat and to check the reservoir's current launching requirements before arriving, because of the golden mussel.
- Fishing
- Kokanee, smallmouth bass, mackinaw, trout
- Crystal Basin info
- 530-644-2324
What's here
Launch
Paved ramps for motorboats and water sports
Pump-out
Sewage pump-out
Camping
11 campgrounds around the lake
Fishing
Kokanee, smallmouth bass, mackinaw and stocked rainbow trout
Swimming
Swimming areas
Restrooms
Restrooms at the ramps
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Clean, drain and dry boats and check current launch requirements (golden mussel)fs.usda.gov ↗
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