Camping at Silver Lake West Campground is on a first-come first-served basis with forty-two (42) campsites that can accommodate 1-2 vehicles each. There is minimal overflow parking available. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking. 

Campsite must be occupied at time of payment, and for the duration of your stay.

Boat launch fees are NOT included in camping fees.

One day-use pass per occupied campsite is included with camping fee.

Silver Lake East Campground is operated by the U.S. Forest Service.

Highway 88 Recreation Fees

Please visit the Silver Lake West Campground (SLWC) webpage for more information. This is a high-elevation recreation area that operates seasonally depending on weather condition. There are links on the SLWC webpage for weather and road conditions. 

Day-use areas around Silver Lake and Caples Lake, at EID Recreation facilities, provide many recreational opportunities. These areas are very popular and reach capacity quickly, pets are welcome provided they are leashed and cared for responsibly, including picking up and properly disposing of their waste.

Please note: Propane barbecues (BBQ) are recommended over charcoal, however under the appropriate conditions a charcoal barbecue may be permitted in some areas where there is a BBQ stand and hot ash buckets are provide to safely contain spent ashes. It is your responsibility to be aware of fire conditions before lighting using a charcoal or propane BBQ.

Hwy. 88 Recreation Fee Schedule

Annual Day-Use Permit Application (Valid for Sly Park Recreation Area, Caples Lake, and Silver Lake)

Sandy Cove

• Picnic Tables
• Accessible Restroom
• Refuse Receptacles
• Ample Parking
• No Open Flames (No Charcoal BBQ Stands)

Silver Lake Boat Launch

• Picnic Tables
• Accessible Restrooms
• Lake Access
• Charcoal BBQ Stands (Hot ash buckets available)
• Refuse Receptacles
• Limited Parking
• Picnic Tables
• Refuse Receptacles
• Limited Parking

Silver Lake Dam

• Picnic Tables
• Refuse receptacles
• Limited Parking
• Ferguson Point
• Accessible Restrooms
• Lake Access
• Scenic Vistas
• No Open Flames Permitted (No Charcoal BBQs)

Caples Lake Boat Launch

• Picnic Tables
• Accessible Restrooms
• Lake Access
• Charcoal BBQ Stands (Hot ash buckets available)
• Refuse Receptacles
• Ample Parking

The boat launch is available for the summer recreation season which varies depending on snow pack and weather conditions.

Silver Lake in Amador County does not have a posted speed limit. Note that there are many underwater hazards, use caution.

California Division of Boating and Waterways

Silver Lake is a high-elevation recreation area, it is open seasonally and dependent on weather conditions. Please include weather and road conditions in your planning. 

Memorial Day to Labor Day (dependent on weather conditions):
     6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Outside of the Normal High Season (dependent on weather conditions):  
     7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Day-Use Fees 
     Launch Fee: $10.00
     Day-Use: $5.00

Full List of Highway 88 Fees (PDF)

Annual Day-Use Permit Application
Note: Permits are valid at all of EID's day-use parking facilities at Caples, Silver, and Jenkinson at Sly Park Recreation Area.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
       Fish Planting Schedule

Popular trails and day hikes near Silver Lake:

• Shealor Lake trailhead is on the north side of Highway 88, about half way between Kay's Resort and Plasse's turnoff.
• Granite Lake heads toward and past Kit Carson Lodge; the trailhead is on the east side of Silver Lake at the end of road 10N20.
• Lake Margaret trailhead is on the north side of Highway 88 between Kirkwood Inn and Caples Lake.
• Thunder Mountain trailhead is located on the south side of Highway 88, just west of the Carson Spur.
• Meiss Lake trailhead is a parking lot on the north side of Highway 88 just west of the Carson Pass Information Center.
• Frog Lake/Round Top trailhead is at the Carson Pass Information Center.

There is NO to extremely limited cell service in the area! Please plan ahead as online services most likely will not be available. 

• Kit Carson Lodge: Lodging, dining, store, boat rental, and laundromat.
• Plasses Resort: Dump station, equestrian trails, camping, store, restaurant, and laundromat. 
• Kirkwood Resort: Winter and summer recreation, store, dinning, hotel, and gas station.
• Caples Lake Resort: Boat launch and rentals, and store. 
• Bear River Resort:  Store, camping, boating, and fishing. 

National Weather Service - Kirkwood 

CalTrans Road Information 
     Phone: 1-800-427-7623

CalFire Red Flag Warnings

Eldorado National Forest - Current Conditions

Eldorado National Forest - Road and Trail Status