Sunset Campground spreads across a peninsula along the eastern side of Union Valley Reservoir. The campground is part of the scenic Crystal Basin in the Eldorado National Forest.
All Around the Crystal Basin
Ice House Reservoir
The Crystal Basin features beautiful mountain reservoirs and other recreation features created by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The largest of the lakes is Union Valley Reservoir which has 3 boat launch ramps, many nice campgrounds, and a paved multi-use trail.
Nearby Ice House Reservoir is a popular fishing destination. The lake has 3 campgrounds and a boat launch ramp. Loon Lake and Wrights Lake sit farther back in the Crystal Basin but are especially popular because of their magnificent settings and quiet waters. Both lakes have campgrounds and launch ramps.
More Crystal Basin Attractions
◊ Hiking trails to Bassi Falls and into the Desolation Wilderness ◊ Fishing for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, mackinaw, and wild brown trout
◊ Visit pretty little Gerle Reservoir for boating, fishing and swimmin.
◊ OHV Adverntures on the famous Rubicon Trail at Loon Lake and Barrett Jeep Trail by Wrights Lake.
◊ Mountain bike the Loon Lake to Van Vleck Bunkhouse trail, Ice House Bike Trail, and Bassi Falls.
◊ Road bike from Ice House Reservoir to Loon Lake (21 miles), Ice House Bike Trail (3.1 miles), Union Valley Bike Trail (5.5 miles)
Sunset Campground
Sunset Launch Ramp
Sunset Campground offers 121 campsites separated into 3 loops - Sunset, Meadow, and Shady. The campground is set in a forest of cedars and Ponderosa pines with beautiful views of the lake. Campsites are close to a beach, a launch ramp, and the paved bike trail that follows around the shore of the lake for 4½ miles.
Campground Amenities
◊ Picnic table, campfire ring with grill, a bear-proof food storage locker
◊ Drinking water spigots
◊ Restrooms with vault toilets and coin operated showers
◊ Paved parking aprons
◊ Tent pads
◊ Boat launch ramp with accessible boarding dock
◊ Swim beach
Sunset Campground offers many campsites that may be reserved, while a number of sites are available first-come, first-served (marked FF on reservation website). Among all the sites, 30 are tent-only. There are a number of double sites that can accommodate up to 12 people. From early September through early October all the campsites are all available first-come, first-served.
Sunset Campground has one group campsite which can accommodate 30 people and 10 vehicles. The site is ADA accessible. The rate is $145 per night.
When making reservations be sure that your vehicle will fit in the space indicated on the reservations website. Information is available at the Crystal Information Station east of Union Valley Reservoir on Ice House Road during the summer.
Horses and motor vehicles are not permitted on the bike trails at Union Valley Reservoir. Horses are permitted on the Ice House Reservoir bike trail.
For campground purposes, a vehicle is any equipment that is required to be licensed/registered. This includes RVs, trailers, cars/trucks, boat/car trailer, motorcycle/atv, etc. Vehicles parked in a truck or on a trailer are not counted separately.
Reviews from Previous Campers
2020 - 2024