El Dorado Irrigation District
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Caples Lake
Kirkwood has the only gas station in the area around Caples and Silver lakes. It is about seven miles north of Silver Lake and a half mile south of Caples Lake.
Premium fees are charged in this remote location; please plan accordingly. Hours of operation are limited and seasonal.
Not directly with EID. However, both Caples and Silver lakes (Hwy. 88 Recreation) have other resorts located around the lakes that may have boat rentals.
Sly Park Recreation Area offers non-motorized boat and paddle board rentals through a concessionaire, Current Adventures Sly Park Paddle Rentals. This concession operates Friday-Sunday, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
EID does not oversee or monitor use on the water; we discourage this activity and users do so at their own risk.
No. Parking at Caples Lake Boat Launch or Silver Lake is limited and for day use only.
If you plan to stay overnight, you will need to pay the camping fee at one of the campgrounds. Silver Lake West Campground is first come, first served. Silver Lake West also has a limited season, normally open from Memorial Day through mid-September. Check the news posts for when the campground officially opens or closes.
EID Recreation annual passes are valid at all EID day-use facilities, including Sly Park Recreation Area, Silver Lake, and Caples Lake.
Separate fees are required for camping at Sly Park Recreation Area and Silver Lake West Campground.
No, EID only operates certain facilities mentioned on our website. The appropriate counties have jurisdiction on the waters so recreational users should be aware of local rules and regulations.
Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake:
You may leave your trailer in your campsite if the campsite space allows. We also have a designated parking area for boat trailers in the boat launch parking lot. When you arrive, the gatehouse can give you directions.
Highway 88 Recreation: Silver Lake West Campground, Caples, and Silver lakes
While camping at Silver Lake West it is preferred to park in your site, but it is tight. Silver Lake West does have limited additional parking that is first come, first served. Leaving your boat trailer in the day-use areas overnight is prohibited.
If you are using the Caples or Silver lakes boat launch for day-use only, you may leave your vehicle and trailer in the parking lot while you are out enjoying the lakes.
No. There are no WiFi connections at any of our recreation facilities; take this time to disconnect from the world and plan accordingly.
Sly Park Recreation Area: There is limited cell phone reception near the entrance of the park. The signal diminishes as you travel into the park.
Silver Lake West Campground: No cell phone coverage.
Silver Lake and Caples Lake: No cell phone coverage.
Yes, Annual Passes are available for your boat; these can be purchased at the Gatehouse or Reservation Office at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Annual Passes are valid at all boat launches managed by EID, including Sly Park Recreation Area, Caples Lake, and Silver Lake.
Personal watercraft of any kind are NOT allowed on Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Caples and Silver lakes do allow personal water craft. Caples has a 10 mph speed limit.
Yes, there is a fee non-motorized and motorized boats at Sly Park Recreation Area. Currently, there is no fee to launch a non-motorized vessel at Silver or Caples lakes. Please see the fee schedules linked below.
Fee Schedules:
There are no special fishing regulations at any of the reservoirs; El Dorado Irrigation District complies with all relevant CDFW guidelines for fishing.
Anglers are expected to know and abide by all requirements; please see California Fishing Regulations for more information.
- There is one fish cleaning station at the Stonebraker Boat Launch in Sly Park Recreation Area.
Anyone 16 years of age or older needs a fishing license.
Please see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for further information.
- No, you will need to purchase a fishing license prior to entering.
No, your pets are included with the Annual Passes. There is an additional pet fee if you have not purchased an Annual Pass.
Dogs must be on a leash AT ALL TIMES.
Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the water at Sly Park Recreation Area or Forebay Reservoir per our state drinking water permit. Please don't risk our permit exemption by allowing your dog in the water in those locations.
Annual Passes are available for purchase all year; they are valid for twelve (12) months from the month of purchase.
They can be purchased year-round at Sly Park Recreation Area, either at the Reservation Office or the Gatehouse.
Passes are valid at all of EID's day-use parking facilities at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake, and Caples and Silver lakes located along Highway 88.
Additional fees are required for camping or launching a boat unless you purchase a permit that includes a boat.
Yes, the mandatory entry fee applies to all guests using EID recreation areas where fees are collected.
All fees are put right back into maintaining our recreation facilities.
Annual passes may be used at all EID day-use parking and facilities at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake, and at Caples and Silver lakes (Highway 88 Recreation).
Launching a boat is a separate and additional fee unless you have purchased a boat pass.
Camping at Sly Park Recreation Area (reservations required) and Silver Lake West (first come, first served) require additional camping fees.
Your pass DOES NOT allow for parking at or in a campground for the day.
- Yes, your day use pass is good at any of EID's day-use areas during the same day of purchase.
- Kirkwood Meadows has cell service that has the most reliable connection. This is about 5.5 miles from Silver Lake West Campground and 2.5 miles from Caples Lake Boat Launch.
Highway 88 Recreation
No, Silver Lake West Campground is first come, first served.
Silver Lake, Caples Lake, and Silver Lake West Campground (seasonal high-elevation recreation)
Kit Carson, Plasses, and Kirkwood all have small mom and pop general stores with limited supplies. Be prepared and plan, check weather, road conditions, and fire restrictions before leaving!
Silver Lake West Campground:
- Vault toilets
- Potable water (please check our news postings as this service does get turned off at times)
- Fire ring with barbecue grate in each site
- Picnic table in each site
- Bear proof food lockers in each site
- Firewood is available for purchase (while supplies last)
There is limited to no cell service and no wiFi.
Day-Use Areas:
- Picnic tables
- Vault toilets
- Boat Launch (Silver and Caples)
Annual Day-Use Permit Application
Kirkwood has the only gas station in the area around Caples and Silver lakes. It is about seven miles north of Silver Lake and a half mile south of Caples Lake.
Premium fees are charged in this remote location; please plan accordingly. Hours of operation are limited and seasonal.
No, the nearest dump station is located at Plasses Resort on the South end of Silver Lake. Travelers who find themselves passing Sly Park Recreation Area on their way home can dump for free; you must present proof of stay at Silver Lake West.
- No power is available in the Silver Lake West Campground.
Not directly with EID. However, both Caples and Silver lakes (Hwy. 88 Recreation) have other resorts located around the lakes that may have boat rentals.
Sly Park Recreation Area offers non-motorized boat and paddle board rentals through a concessionaire, Current Adventures Sly Park Paddle Rentals. This concession operates Friday-Sunday, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
No. Parking at Caples Lake Boat Launch or Silver Lake is limited and for day use only.
If you plan to stay overnight, you will need to pay the camping fee at one of the campgrounds. Silver Lake West Campground is first come, first served. Silver Lake West also has a limited season, normally open from Memorial Day through mid-September. Check the news posts for when the campground officially opens or closes.
EID Recreation annual passes are valid at all EID day-use facilities, including Sly Park Recreation Area, Silver Lake, and Caples Lake.
Separate fees are required for camping at Sly Park Recreation Area and Silver Lake West Campground.
No, EID only operates certain facilities mentioned on our website. The appropriate counties have jurisdiction on the waters so recreational users should be aware of local rules and regulations.
The camping fee pays for the first vehicle in the site and for two vehicles in a family site; most sites have room for one more vehicle. Additional vehicles will need to pay fees when they arrive; please see our fee schedule for current costs.
Parking is very limited and carpooling is encouraged.
If you are camping at Sly Park Recreation Area you can call our Gate House at (530) 295-6824 to see if there is room for more than two vehicles at the site you are reserving.
While camping at Sly Park Recreation Area, you may have up to six (6) people in an individual site. Family campsites have a maximum of twelve (12) people.
At Silver Lake West Campground there is a maximum of six (6) people per campsite.
Please note that maximum occupancy for all campsites includes children and infants.
Campfires are allowed in the designated fire ring, the fire cannot exceed the size of the ring, the flames cannot be more than 3 feet tall and the wood cannot be more than 6 inches around.
The exception to this is when there are Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service; EID Recreation follows their recommendations and will not allow fires during these periods.
No, we do not have shower facilities at either Sly Park Recreation Area or Silver Lake West campgrounds.
There are no sites with power or any other hook-ups in either campground. There are no outlets available in the recreation areas.
The Sly Park Recreation Area Event Center does have power in the building; this space is available for rental. Please see the Group Area page for more details.
Sly Park Recreation Area: Generator hours are limited to 7am to 9am, noon to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm only.
Silver Lake West Campground: Hours are limited from 8am to 8pm. Guests are asked to keep the duration of run time to a minimum.
Yes, bears are known to be in the area at both Sly Park Recreation Area and Silver Lake West campgrounds. Best practice is to put away food and garbage at night. Campsites at Silver Lake West have a bear proof locker.
Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake:
You may leave your trailer in your campsite if the campsite space allows. We also have a designated parking area for boat trailers in the boat launch parking lot. When you arrive, the gatehouse can give you directions.
Highway 88 Recreation: Silver Lake West Campground, Caples, and Silver lakes
While camping at Silver Lake West it is preferred to park in your site, but it is tight. Silver Lake West does have limited additional parking that is first come, first served. Leaving your boat trailer in the day-use areas overnight is prohibited.
If you are using the Caples or Silver lakes boat launch for day-use only, you may leave your vehicle and trailer in the parking lot while you are out enjoying the lakes.
No. There are no WiFi connections at any of our recreation facilities; take this time to disconnect from the world and plan accordingly.
Sly Park Recreation Area: There is limited cell phone reception near the entrance of the park. The signal diminishes as you travel into the park.
Silver Lake West Campground: No cell phone coverage.
Silver Lake and Caples Lake: No cell phone coverage.
Yes, Annual Passes are available for your boat; these can be purchased at the Gatehouse or Reservation Office at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Annual Passes are valid at all boat launches managed by EID, including Sly Park Recreation Area, Caples Lake, and Silver Lake.
Personal watercraft of any kind are NOT allowed on Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Caples and Silver lakes do allow personal water craft. Caples has a 10 mph speed limit.
Yes, there is a fee non-motorized and motorized boats at Sly Park Recreation Area. Currently, there is no fee to launch a non-motorized vessel at Silver or Caples lakes. Please see the fee schedules linked below.
Fee Schedules:
No, your pets are included with the Annual Passes. There is an additional pet fee if you have not purchased an Annual Pass.
Dogs must be on a leash AT ALL TIMES.
Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the water at Sly Park Recreation Area or Forebay Reservoir per our state drinking water permit. Please don't risk our permit exemption by allowing your dog in the water in those locations.
Annual Passes are available for purchase all year; they are valid for twelve (12) months from the month of purchase.
They can be purchased year-round at Sly Park Recreation Area, either at the Reservation Office or the Gatehouse.
Passes are valid at all of EID's day-use parking facilities at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake, and Caples and Silver lakes located along Highway 88.
Additional fees are required for camping or launching a boat unless you purchase a permit that includes a boat.
- No. Campsites must be paid for and occupied within the first 24 hours and for the duration of your stay.
Annual passes may be used at all EID day-use parking and facilities at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake, and at Caples and Silver lakes (Highway 88 Recreation).
Launching a boat is a separate and additional fee unless you have purchased a boat pass.
Camping at Sly Park Recreation Area (reservations required) and Silver Lake West (first come, first served) require additional camping fees.
Your pass DOES NOT allow for parking at or in a campground for the day.
- Yes, your day use pass is good at any of EID's day-use areas during the same day of purchase.
- Kirkwood Meadows has cell service that has the most reliable connection. This is about 5.5 miles from Silver Lake West Campground and 2.5 miles from Caples Lake Boat Launch.
Project 184 Recreation
No, Silver Lake West Campground is first come, first served.
Kirkwood has the only gas station in the area around Caples and Silver lakes. It is about seven miles north of Silver Lake and a half mile south of Caples Lake.
Premium fees are charged in this remote location; please plan accordingly. Hours of operation are limited and seasonal.
No, the nearest dump station is located at Plasses Resort on the South end of Silver Lake. Travelers who find themselves passing Sly Park Recreation Area on their way home can dump for free; you must present proof of stay at Silver Lake West.
- No power is available in the Silver Lake West Campground.
Not directly with EID. However, both Caples and Silver lakes (Hwy. 88 Recreation) have other resorts located around the lakes that may have boat rentals.
Sly Park Recreation Area offers non-motorized boat and paddle board rentals through a concessionaire, Current Adventures Sly Park Paddle Rentals. This concession operates Friday-Sunday, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
EID does not oversee or monitor use on the water; we discourage this activity and users do so at their own risk.
No. Parking at Caples Lake Boat Launch or Silver Lake is limited and for day use only.
If you plan to stay overnight, you will need to pay the camping fee at one of the campgrounds. Silver Lake West Campground is first come, first served. Silver Lake West also has a limited season, normally open from Memorial Day through mid-September. Check the news posts for when the campground officially opens or closes.
EID Recreation annual passes are valid at all EID day-use facilities, including Sly Park Recreation Area, Silver Lake, and Caples Lake.
Separate fees are required for camping at Sly Park Recreation Area and Silver Lake West Campground.
No, EID only operates certain facilities mentioned on our website. The appropriate counties have jurisdiction on the waters so recreational users should be aware of local rules and regulations.
The camping fee pays for the first vehicle in the site and for two vehicles in a family site; most sites have room for one more vehicle. Additional vehicles will need to pay fees when they arrive; please see our fee schedule for current costs.
Parking is very limited and carpooling is encouraged.
If you are camping at Sly Park Recreation Area you can call our Gate House at (530) 295-6824 to see if there is room for more than two vehicles at the site you are reserving.
While camping at Sly Park Recreation Area, you may have up to six (6) people in an individual site. Family campsites have a maximum of twelve (12) people.
At Silver Lake West Campground there is a maximum of six (6) people per campsite.
Please note that maximum occupancy for all campsites includes children and infants.
Campfires are allowed in the designated fire ring, the fire cannot exceed the size of the ring, the flames cannot be more than 3 feet tall and the wood cannot be more than 6 inches around.
The exception to this is when there are Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service; EID Recreation follows their recommendations and will not allow fires during these periods.
No, we do not have shower facilities at either Sly Park Recreation Area or Silver Lake West campgrounds.
There are no sites with power or any other hook-ups in either campground. There are no outlets available in the recreation areas.
The Sly Park Recreation Area Event Center does have power in the building; this space is available for rental. Please see the Group Area page for more details.
Sly Park Recreation Area: Generator hours are limited to 7am to 9am, noon to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm only.
Silver Lake West Campground: Hours are limited from 8am to 8pm. Guests are asked to keep the duration of run time to a minimum.
Yes, bears are known to be in the area at both Sly Park Recreation Area and Silver Lake West campgrounds. Best practice is to put away food and garbage at night. Campsites at Silver Lake West have a bear proof locker.
Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake:
You may leave your trailer in your campsite if the campsite space allows. We also have a designated parking area for boat trailers in the boat launch parking lot. When you arrive, the gatehouse can give you directions.
Highway 88 Recreation: Silver Lake West Campground, Caples, and Silver lakes
While camping at Silver Lake West it is preferred to park in your site, but it is tight. Silver Lake West does have limited additional parking that is first come, first served. Leaving your boat trailer in the day-use areas overnight is prohibited.
If you are using the Caples or Silver lakes boat launch for day-use only, you may leave your vehicle and trailer in the parking lot while you are out enjoying the lakes.
No. There are no WiFi connections at any of our recreation facilities; take this time to disconnect from the world and plan accordingly.
Sly Park Recreation Area: There is limited cell phone reception near the entrance of the park. The signal diminishes as you travel into the park.
Silver Lake West Campground: No cell phone coverage.
Silver Lake and Caples Lake: No cell phone coverage.
Yes, Annual Passes are available for your boat; these can be purchased at the Gatehouse or Reservation Office at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Annual Passes are valid at all boat launches managed by EID, including Sly Park Recreation Area, Caples Lake, and Silver Lake.
Personal watercraft of any kind are NOT allowed on Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Caples and Silver lakes do allow personal water craft. Caples has a 10 mph speed limit.
Yes, there is a fee non-motorized and motorized boats at Sly Park Recreation Area. Currently, there is no fee to launch a non-motorized vessel at Silver or Caples lakes. Please see the fee schedules linked below.
Fee Schedules:
- No, you will need to purchase a fishing license prior to entering.
No, your pets are included with the Annual Passes. There is an additional pet fee if you have not purchased an Annual Pass.
Dogs must be on a leash AT ALL TIMES.
Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the water at Sly Park Recreation Area or Forebay Reservoir per our state drinking water permit. Please don't risk our permit exemption by allowing your dog in the water in those locations.
Annual Passes are available for purchase all year; they are valid for twelve (12) months from the month of purchase.
They can be purchased year-round at Sly Park Recreation Area, either at the Reservation Office or the Gatehouse.
Passes are valid at all of EID's day-use parking facilities at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake, and Caples and Silver lakes located along Highway 88.
Additional fees are required for camping or launching a boat unless you purchase a permit that includes a boat.
Yes, the mandatory entry fee applies to all guests using EID recreation areas where fees are collected.
All fees are put right back into maintaining our recreation facilities.
- No. Campsites must be paid for and occupied within the first 24 hours and for the duration of your stay.
Annual passes may be used at all EID day-use parking and facilities at Sly Park Recreation Area/Jenkinson Lake, and at Caples and Silver lakes (Highway 88 Recreation).
Launching a boat is a separate and additional fee unless you have purchased a boat pass.
Camping at Sly Park Recreation Area (reservations required) and Silver Lake West (first come, first served) require additional camping fees.
Your pass DOES NOT allow for parking at or in a campground for the day.