El Dorado Irrigation District Recreation

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EID's Recreation division manages multiple sites and facilities. Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake is the largest recreation facility and is open year round. It is located in Pollock Pines, CA. Forebay Reservoir is also located in Pollock Pines. Forebay is a small facility and is only open for day-use.

Caples and Silver lakes are located along Highway 88 and located high in the Sierra's. There is also a small campground facility, Silver Lake West. These high-elevation facilities are open seasonally.

Please see each dedicated webpage for more information.

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2026 Fee Schedule- Sly Park Recreation Area Day Use /Camping/Boat Launching

2026 Fee Schedule- Highway 88 Recreation Areas Day Use/Camping/Boat Launching

Stop Invasive Mussels - Be Responsible - Clean, Drain, Dry! Help keep our recreation facilities open. For the most up to date information, go to www.EID.org/Boating.

Beginning April 21, 2025, there are boat launch restrictions at Jenkinson Lake within the Sly Park Recreation Area (SPRA) in Pollock Pines. The restrictions are to help prevent the introduction of invasive golden mussels and protect critical drinking water infrastructure.

Due to conditions at Caples and Silver Lakes, at this time prevention efforts at these reservoirs will focus on outreach and education, similar to other partner high elevation reservoir operations with conditions less conducive to establishment of the invasive golden mussels.

As more information and programs are available, we will update the District's dedicated webpage, www.EID.org/Boating. We encourage you to refer to that page for the more up to date information on boating restrictions.

Sly Park Recreation - Jenkinson Lake

Beginning April 21, 2025, El Dorado Irrigation District (EID/District) will implement new boat launching restrictions at Jenkinson Lake within the Sly Park Recreation Area (SPRA) in Pollock Pines to help prevent the introduction of invasive golden mussels and protect critical drinking water infrastructure.

For additional information and updates, as well as times and dates of inspections and tagging, please refer to the dedicated District webpage www.EID.org/Boating.

Recreation Collage

Sly Park Recreation Area with beautiful Jenkinson Lake at its center sits at 3500' and is a popular destinations for campers, hikers, bikers, boaters, anglers, equestrians, photographers, and all-around nature lovers. With over 190 campsites and access to over 30 miles of trails, Sly Park Recreation Area has something for everyone. SPRA is open to the public year round.

SLY PARK CAMPING RESERVATIONS

Forebay Reservoir - Project 184

Silver Lake - Hwy 88 - Project 184

As more information and programs are available we will update the District's dedicated webpage, www.EID.org/Boating.We encourage you to refer to that page for the more up to date information on boating restrictions.

Silver Lake and the Silver Lake West Campground lie at 7200' and provide an excellent destination for your high alpine recreation activities. Surrounded by the El Dorado National Forest this exceptional location was a resting place along the Mormon Emigrant Trail established by Kit Carson.

The summer recreation season at Silver Lake varies depending on snow pack and weather conditions. Our goal is to open the campground for Memorial Day weekend and remain open through October.

Boating of all types is allowed at Silver Lake, including personal watercraft like Jet Skis and SeaDoos.

We recommend that you check weather conditions before heading up, and remember that conditions can change quickly. During the summer you may experience afternoon gusty winds along with thunder and lighting storms.

Silver Lake is located in Amador County and is under their jurisdiction for law enforcement.

There is limited to no cell coverage. Silver Lakewith Snow-May 24 2019

Caples Lake - Hwy 88 - Project 184

Caples Lake at 7800' offers another excellent high alpine get away. The predominate activity here is trout fishing but also offers scenic picnicking areas, a boat ramp and trail access to the Mokelumne Wilderness to the south.

Weather permitting, the boat launching and day use facility is open May 1st to Oct. 31st 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day - 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Caples Lake has a 10 MPH speed limit for boating and personal watercraft like Jet Skis and SeaDoos are NOT allowed.

Caples Lake is located in Alpine County and is under their jurisdiction for law enforcement.

There is limited to no cell coverage.

CaplesLake-BoatLaunch-Parking-2

Current News

EID Board Declares Free Day Use at Sly Park on Earth Day
EID Board recognizes Sly Park Recreation Area as a valuable resource to our customers, El Dorado County residents, and wider community. Beginning in 2021, Earth Day will be free for day-use access. Camping fees remain in effect, along with all other policies and procedures, and regulations.
04/08/2021 9:45 AM
EID is Hiring A Seasonal Recreation Host for Sandy Cove at Silver Lake
EID's recreation division is hiring a seasonal recreation host for Sandy Cove at Silver Lake in Amador County. If you are interested in this position, contact Carl Certiberi, Senior Park Ranger at (530) 295-6822 for details and requirements.
03/25/2021 3:15 PM
Fuels Reduction Work to Begin at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake
Starting March 24, work will begin at the park for fuels reduction. The work will include removal of trees to create shaded fuel breaks in the areas where mastication and thinning work has already been completed. The work will benefit the watershed and increase forest health and resilience.
03/23/2021 4:10 PM
Looking for a Great Summer Job?
EID's recreation division is hiring seasonal positions for maintenance/groundskeepers, gatehouse, and rangers.
03/11/2021 3:45 PM
Winter Weather Approaching: Remember to Recreate Responsibly
Winter weather conditions are expected starting today through the weekend. We want to remind you to be safe, plan ahead, and stay local and continue social distancing—even outdoors!
12/11/2020 4:45 PM
EID's High Elevation Recreation Facilities Closing for the Winter
EID has closed it's recreation operations for the winter season at Caples and Silver lakes. We recommend if you still plan to visit to check weather conditions and plan accordingly—there are NO amenities or services and cell service is spotty at best.
11/06/2020 3:10 PM
Sly Park's Water System is Shutting Down for the Winter!
Starting Thursday, November 5 water service will be turned off to avoid any freeze damage. If you plan to visit, please arrive prepared and bring enough water.
11/04/2020 3:00 PM
Caples Lake Boat Launch Open
Caples Lake Boat Launch has reopened after temporarily closing to seal and stripe the parking lot. The facility will remain open until winter weather conditions warrant its seasonal closure.
10/13/2020 4:30 PM
Temporary Closure of Caples Lake Boat Launch
Caples Lake Boat Launch to temporarily close for maintenance from October 7-13, the parking lot will be resealed and restriped. The facility will reopen on October 14 and remain open until winter weather conditions warrant its seasonal closure.
10/01/2020 6:00 PM
Silver Lake West Campground - Closed for the Season
09/21/2020 4:30 PM
Black Oak Equestrian Campground Now Open
Sly Park Recreation Area's Black Oak Equestrian Campground now open for online reservations!
06/23/2020 9:00 AM
Sly Park Recreation Area Open for Camping to General Public
In an effort to reduce staff exposure to the COVID-19 virus, all campsites will be allocated through our online reservation system only (www.eid.org/recreation/spra-campsite-photos-and-reservations). No walk-in camping will be permitted at this time and reservations need to be made online a minimum
06/15/2020 2:30 PM
Silver Lake Day-Use and Boat Ramp to Open June 12
As the state eases the restrictions for COVID-19, the snow and ice has been melting at our high elevation recreation sites allowing District staff to prepare for visitors.
06/11/2020 2:45 PM
Forebay Dam Project - Update
The reopening of the day-use facility and trails are on hold until the contractor demobilizes and we can ensure that pedestrian-only access areas are blocked to any vehicles. Work needs to be completed by construction crews before they can remove the temporary fencing.
06/09/2020 2:00 PM
UPDATE: 2021 Reservations at Sly Park Recreation Area
2020 day-use and camping remain closed due to state mandates to prevent spread of COVID-19. May, June, and July 2021 are open for reservations.
06/01/2020 12:15 PM
UPDATE: SPRA Day-Use and Boating Opening May 16 for In-County Residents Only
On Saturday, May 16, SPRA will open for limited day-use activities for in-county residents. Please read 5/14 news release for details. All camping areas remain closed.
05/14/2020 3:15 PM
Sly Park Recreation Area to Open for Day-Use and Boating for Local, In-County Residents
On May 16, the following activities are scheduled to be available at Sly Park Recreation Area from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for local residents: picnicking (among stay-home household members only), hiking, biking, walking, equestrian, boating (among stay-home household members only), and fishing.
05/14/2020 3:00 PM
EID Planning Structured Reopening for Sly Park Recreation Area
El Dorado County has submitted a plan for accelerating into Stage 2 of the California State plan for loosening the stay-at-home mandate. In light of this, EID is planning for a structured and safe return to offering recreation activities at EID facilities as soon as safely possible.
05/08/2020 1:45 PM
EID Urges Caution Around Streams and Rivers
EID urges caution when approaching local area streams and rivers. As the weather temperatures rise, snow in higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada are beginning to melt causing higher and more random water flow patterns. The snowmelt also keeps water at dangerously cold temperatures.
05/06/2020 4:15 PM
Sly Park's Water System is Shut Down for the Winter!
Sly Park Recreation Area's water lines have been turned off and drained to avoid any freeze damage. If you plan to visit, please arrive prepared and bring enough water.
02/18/2020 2:15 PM

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