Kit Carson, Plasses and Kirkwood all have a small mom and pop general stores with limited supplies. Best to plan well before leaving.

The campground has:

• Vaulted 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

From Silver Lake the only station in the area is located at Kirkwood  its about seven miles to the north.

From Caples Lake Kirkwood is about a half mile to the south of the lake.

You’ll pay a premium so plan appropriately.

Not with EID however for Caples and Silver lakes Kit Carson Lodge located at the North end of Silver Lake does rent small craft such as Kayaks, Canoes and small power boats.  Caples Lake Resort offers rentals at Caples Lake. Check their websites for hours and fees.

Sly Park Recreation Area offers non-motorized boat and paddle board rentals through a vendor. See our Boating webpage for the link to their reservation site.

EID does not oversee use on the water and so we discourage this activity.

No.  Parking at Caples Lake Boat Launch or Silver Lake is limited and reserved for day guests.

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.

Yes, Sly Park Day use Permits are valid at Silver Lake and Caples Lake day use areas.

No, EID only operates certain facilities mentioned on our website. The appropriate counties have jurisdiction on the waters.  Recreational access can be from a variety of sources so it is important to know where you are.

Sly Park Recreation Area: 

You may leave your trailer in your campsite unless you do not have room.  We also have a designated parking area for boats trailers or you can leave it 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 trailer and rig in the parking lot while you are out enjoying the lake.

No.

There is no WiFi connections, take this time to disconnect from the world and plan accordingly.

Yes, Annual Permits are available for your boat.  See our Annual Day Use Permit page for an application.  Annual Day-use permits are valid at Sly Park Recreation Area and our facilities at Caples and Silver lakes. 

No. Personal watercraft of any kind is 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.

No, there is no fee for boats that do not have a motor or a CF number.

You will need to pay the day use fee and any additional fees for a pet or oversized vehicle or trailer.

See our fee schedules for Highway 88 Recreation and Sly Park.

Anyone 16 years of age or older needs a fishing license.

California  Department of Fish and Wildlife

No, your pets are included with the Day Use Permit.  

Please remember to keep your dogs on a leash at all times and if you are recreating at Sly Park Recreation Area, dog's are NOT allowed in the water per our state drinking water permit.  Don't risk our permit exemption by allowing your dog in Jenkinson Lake.

There is an additional fee if you  have not purchased Day Use Permit.   See fees for Sly Park Recreation Area and/or Highway 88 Recreation.

Sly Park Recreation Area and all parking areas that require a day use fee.  Launching a boat is a separate and additional fee unless you have purchased a boat pass. Camping is also an additional fee and requires a reservation.

On Hwy. 88 passes are good at EID run facilities at Caples and Silver Lake day use areas. There is a separate and additional fee to launch a boat unless you have purchased a boat pass. There is an additional fee for camping at Silver Lake West Campground and your pass DOES NOT allow for parking at the campground for the day.