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

Recreation Sites Closed for Winter
11/27/2019 12:30 AM
Gates Installed at Sly Park Recreation Area's Equestrian Staging Facility
Gates have been installed at Sly Park Recreation Area's Equestrian Staging facility off Mormon Emigrant Trail. The gates will be closed during the winter months in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service closing of Mormon Emigrant Trail.
11/14/2019 4:30 PM
Caples Lake Boat Launch Closed for the 2019 Season!
We're closed for the 2019 recreation season. We'll let you know when we open in 2020!
11/06/2019 3:00 PM
2019 Season Closing - Sandy Cove and Ferguson Point Day Use Areas
Sandy Cove and Ferguson Point day use areas will close October 3 for the 2019 season.
10/02/2019 4:15 PM
Improvements Underway at Eldorado National Forest’s Caples Lake and Silver Lake East Campgrounds
EID's Board of Directors recently approved a contract to begin making improvements to the Eldorado National Forest campgrounds located along Highway 88 at Caples Lake and Silver Lake East. These improvements are requirements of EID’s 40-year hydroelectric operating license issued by the FERC.
09/24/2019 8:45 AM
Vegetative Management Project Funded by EID, and Grants from CalFire and CCI
The EID Board authorized $1.2 million for vegetation management to reduce fire fuels at four of its facilities. To help aid this important work, EID received grant funds for almost $2 million from CalFire and California Climate Investments (CCI). This funding is part of a statewide initiative.
09/10/2019 11:15 AM
September 22 Ends the 2019 Season at Silver Lake West Campground
Silver Lake West Campground last day of the 2019 season, Sunday, September 22. This year was short and we are sad that summer has come to an end. The good news is we will be working on improving the campground for the 2020 season. Note: Water service will be shut down soon, prepare accordingly.
09/06/2019 4:00 PM
Water Availability at Silver Lake West Campground
As of 7/13/2019, potable water is now available at the Silver Lake West Campground.
07/13/2019 3:04 PM
Silver Lake West Campgound is Now Open
Silver Lake West Campground is open for the 2019 season! Bring your own potable water as we DO NOT have potable water service available yet!
07/05/2019 4:30 PM
Silver Lake West Campground opening date has been delayed
Silver Lake West Campground opening date has been delayed due to winter storm damage. EID Recreation staff are working diligently to have the campground open by July 5. Please contact 530-295-6810 for updates before heading to the campground.
07/01/2019 2:00 PM
Caples Lake Boat Launch and Day Use Area is Open!
06/28/2019
Silver Lake Day Use Areas Open
As of today, Friday June 14, we have a host on site at EID's Sandy Cove day use area, the dam and boat launch at Silver Lake are also open. Caples Lake still has about 50 percent ice. Silver Lake West Campground and Caples Lake Boat Launch remain closed.
06/14/2019 3:15 PM
Still Snow But Melting Fast — EID's Caples and Silver Lake Facilities
Although we still have snow at our high-elevation recreation facilities, it's melting fast. EID is working to prepare to open our Highway 88 facilities. We estimate that we can open our Silver Lake day use and Silver Lake West Campground by July 1, and Caples Lake Boat Launch soon after.
06/04/2019 4:15 PM
Sly Park Paddle Rentals - Open for the Season
Current Adventures - Sly Park Paddle Rentals is open for the season! They offer of a variety of non-motorized rentals: aluminum boats, fishing kayaks, SUPs, and other gear. Reservations can be made online so no need to worry about them selling out before you get there!
05/31/2019 8:30 AM
Increased Trail Patrol at Sly Park Thanks to Partnership Donation
A huge shout out to our partners at Specialized Bicycles and Clipped in Races for donating two Specialized Stumpjumper Expert bikes. The bikes will help EID's recreation team increase patrols of our growing trail system.
05/29/2019 4:20 PM
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! A Reminder of Boater and Watercraft Responsiblity
Prevent the spread of invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels. These creatures cause catastrophic damage to water infrastructure. Be sure to do your part and be responsible while recreating on and in our local waterways by inspecting and cleaning your boat or watercraft.
05/22/2019 3:45 PM
EID Urges Caution Around Streams and Rivers
EID urges caution when approaching local area streams and rivers. As the weather temperatures raise, 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.
05/07/2019 11:45 AM
Forebay Dam Project - Update
This notification includes plans and schedule for construction activities for the Forebay Dam Modification Project during 2019.
04/22/2019 10:00 AM
Trail Improvement Work at Sly Park Recreation Area Complete
Sly Park Recreation Area is please to announce the completion of several trail improvements. Funding was provided by a grant from CalTrans Active Transportation Program (ATP). With collaboration of work from Sly Park staff and the California Conservation Corps. Tahoe Division.
04/12/2019 4:15 PM
We're Open! Come on Up to Sly Park Recreation Area!
We are open for normal business! After being hit with history making storms this winter we are happy to report, as of today, we are open. Come on up and enjoy a day at the park!
03/13/2019 3:38 PM

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