Sly Guard Cabin

Eldorado National Forest

Jenkinson Lake, Eldorado National Forest, CA
Loon Lake, Eldorado National Forest, CA

Sly Guard Cabin

Eldorado National Forest


Sly Guard Cabin

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Sly Guard Cabin was erected in the early 1940s as living quarters for rangers "on guard" in the Sly Park area of the Eldorado National Forest. Today it is offered as a rental cabin. The 600-square-foot, single story cabin consists of a living room, kitchen, one bedroom, and a full bathroom. Indoors there are sleeping areas for 4 people while outside up to 8 more people may use up to 2 tents and 1 RVs. Room is available for parking boats. Hot and cold running water and electricity are conveniences at the cabin found in few other Forest Service Cabins.

Sly Guard Cabin, Sly Park,, Eldorado National Forest, CA

Sly Guard Cabin

Summer Activities

Nearby Jenkinson Lake (shown above) provides opportunities for boating, water skiing, and fishing. Several scenic hiking trails are also nearby. Many visitors to the cabin enjoy mountain biking and gold panning. Along Sly Creek is a swimming hole. On the cabin grounds is a horseshoe pit. Within a short drive of the cabin are attractions such as Apple Hill, Placerville, and the historic gold discovery site of Coloma.

Sly Guard Cabin Features

Inside Sly Guard Cabin are a four-person dining table, chairs, a couch/futon that sleeps 2, and 2 single beds in the bedroom. Visitors will also find a television and DVD player along with a wood stove and a propane wall heater. The kitchen includes an electric stove, microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator, along with an assortment of pots and pans, utensil, cookware, and other essentials. A food preparation table, picnic table, and group fire ring are found outside.

Find full details about the cabin and check for any updates at Eldorado National Forest - Sly Guard Cabin or Recreation.gov - Sly Guard Cabin.

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Sly Guard Cabin Basics
Sly Guard Cabin Location: 5561 Sly Park Road, 6.2 miles off Highway 50 at exit 60 (16 miles east of Placerville)
Elevation: 3,600 feet
Miles/Driving time: Sacramento - 63 miles, 1:11
Sly Guard Cabin Season: Open year-round
Max. Occupancy: 12 (including children) 4 inside, 8 outside in tents or RV
Maximum Number Vehicles: 3 vehicles. In the winter, parking is at the Cedar Park Trailhead next door.
Pets: No pets allowed in building
Operated by Eldorado National Forest
Placerville Ranger Office: (530) 644-2324

Sly Guard Cabin Reservations
Reservation Window Sly Guard Cabin may be reserved from 7 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival date
Fees: $65 per night for up to 12 people
Reservations: Sly Guard Cabin
Maximum Stay: 5 nights
Check-in and Check-out Times Check-in 2:00 PM
Check-out 11:00 AM

Sly Guard Cabin Amenities
Cabin Exterior: Outside are a food preparation table, picnic table, group fire ring, and horseshoe pit.
Cabin Interior: Sleeping: bedroom with 2 single beds, main room with couch/futon that sleeps 2.
Kitchen: electric stove, microwave, coffee maker, pots an pans, utensils, etc.
Other: full bathroom, television and dvd player, table, chairs
NOT included: Visitors need to bring bedding (sleeping bags), matches, food containers, toilet paper, paper towels, flashlight, outdoor chairs, small electric appliances. No garbage service, bring garbage bags. In winter bring in car tire chains and snow shovel.
Showers: Yes
Attractions near Sly Guard Cabin: Jenkinson Lake, hiking and mountain biking trails, Apple Hill. See Discover Echo Summit.

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Sly Guard Cabin map, Eldorado National Forest, CA


Eldorado National Forest Attractions

Visitors to Sly Guard Cabin in the Crystal Basin of Eldorado National Forest find many wonderful outdoor adventures nearby.

  • Launch your boat into Loon Lake for scenic cruising and good fishing.
  • Try fishing in all the lakes and streams in the Crystal Basin.
  • Enjoy boating and water skiing on Crystal Basin lakes.
  • Set out on a hike from Wrights Lake into the Desolation Wilderness.
  • Take in the scenery of waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and rushing mountain streams.
  • Try mountain biking along the network of logging roads.
  • Take advantage of the bike trail around Union Valley Reservoir.

Places to Visit

  • Visit historic Placerville and tour Gold Rush era buildings.
  • Explore the Crystal Basin, including stunningly beautiful Wrights Lake.
  • Drive up Highway 50 to Strawberry and Lovers' Leap rock.
  • Visit ski resorts and snow play areas along with cross country ski trails
  • Spend the day high on Echo Summit at Echo Lakes.

Check-In Procedure

"Check in procedures have changed. As of January 1, 2022. All check-in information will be emailed from sm.fs.rentalcabins@usda.gov to the email the renter has listed in their Recreation.gov account prior to their check-in date. Renters should check both the inbox and the spam/junk mail folders prior to travelling to the cabin. In the event the renter does not see the email, they should contact the Eldorado National Forest at (530) 644-2324 during business hours. This will ensure that staff have the correct email address to resend the rental packet, which includes combinations for gate/cabin. " - Recreation.gov

Key Sly Guard Cabin Regulations

  1. To avoid problems with bears, do not leave food outside unattended.
  2. No pets or smoking are permitted inside the cabin.
  3. Fires are only permitted in provided fire rings. Inside there can be no open flames such as candles, backpacking or Coleman stoves, etc.
  4. Remove all food (even unopened cans) and garbage when you leave.
  5. Renters are expected to clean up after themselves and prepare the hut for the next group. Cleaning supplies are in the mudroom.
  6. Sly Park Environmental Education School is located across the street. Guided daily nature walks are conducted with the students on the trail adjacent to the cabin. Please respect this authorized use.

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