Sly Guard Cabin
Eldorado National Forest
The Sly Guard Cabin is less remote than other cabins on the Eldorado National forest and is a great choice for families with children. Sly Guard provides the cabin in the woods experience with the convenience of modern amenities. The cabin is near Sly Park Reservoir, also called Jenkinson Lake, the tourist area of Apple Hill, a variety of wineries, a number of hiking trails, and the historic mining towns of Coloma and Placerville.
The Sly Guard Cabin was constrcuted in the early 1940s by the Forest Service as living quarters for rangers "on guard" in the Sly Park area.
The 600 sq. ft. single story cabin has a cozy living room, kitchen, one bedroom, and one full bathroom. The cabin has sleeping accommodations for four with two single beds in the bedroom and one queen size sleeper sofa in the living room. The cabin grounds are surrounded by a split cedar fence and can accommodate two tents, one RV/trailer/camper, or two boats. Cars are limited to three vehicles. The cabin and grounds have a twelve person occupant limit.
Sly Guard Cabin has an electric stove/oven and refrigerator and a propane wall heater. The kitchen has a limited supply of pots, pans, dishes, utensils, and other kitchen items. It also has one flush toilet and hot and cold running water in the kitchen, bathroom, and shower/tub combination. There is a small table in the kitchen and a television and DVD player in the living room. Limited cleaning supplies are provided. There is a small wood-burning stove in the living room. (Woodstove is currently out of order. Please do not use) Firewood is not provided.
The cabin grounds include a picnic table, horseshoe pit, clothesline, food preparation table, and campfire circle. Small campfires are allowed when fire restrictions are not in effect.
Guests should bring their own food, bedding, towels, toilet paper, sunscreen, clothing, and any other items they will need for their stay. Please bring your own trash bags and take all trash with you when you leave.
Need to Know
Your permit, door lock combination, and directions will be emailed to you before your visit; be sure to check your spam folder for this email. Call (530) 644-2324 during regular business hours, M-F, 8:00-4:30 with any questions relating to your stay.
Check In is 2:00pm
Check Out is 11:00am
Woodstove is currently out of order. Please do not use. There are alternative heat sources available. Sorry for the inconvenience.
In order to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience to all visitors, a stay limit is now in effect. Use of any Eldorado National Forest cabin is limited to 6 nights per recreation rental facility and a combined total of 12 nights per calendar year for all rental facilities. This stay limit includes any combination of stays at Harvey West Cabin, Loon Lake Chalet, Robbs Hut, Sly Guard Cabin, and Van Vleck Bunkhouse.
- No RV hookups or dump stations available
- Vehicles must park in the gravel areas, not on vegetation
- Lock the building and close the gate when leaving the cabin unattended
- Pets are not allowed in the cabin; please clean up after outdoor pets
- Smoking is not allowed in the cabin
This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; Bedding (sheets, pillows etc.) and towels are not provided. Please bring garbage bags and haul trash out with you.
- Off-Road vehicles cannot be unloaded at the cabin grounds
- Fire restrictions may be in effect
- No open flames, candles, backpacking stoves or Coleman stoves inside cabin
- Please clean cabin and grounds before leaving
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Natural Features
At nearly 3,600 feet in elevation, Sly Guard Cabin sits among Ponderosa and Jeffrey pine near the town of Pollock Pines. The cabin is well shaded during the day, keeping it cool in the summer. A downhill dirt trail leads guests south to Sly Park Creek and the bottom of the spillway at Sly Park Reservoir.
Nearby Attractions
The Sly Park Environmental Education School is located across the street. Guided nature walks are conducted daily on the trail adjacent to the cabin.
A resort at the entrance of Jenkinson Lake (Sly Creek Reservoir) offers a small store, restaurant and bar, pay phone, gas and fishing supplies. It is about a 2-mile drive.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking are great options while staying at the cabin. Cedar Park trail is just steps away from the cabin, where you can take a relaxing walk along the 1.2 mile paved loop trail. There is also an observation deck along the trail offering views of Pyramid Peak and the Crystal Range. There is a horsehoe pit on the cabin grounds. Sly Park Creek has a swimming hole and Sly Park Reservoir attracts lots of boaters and anglers. Gold panning may also be done in the creek.
Contact Information
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5561 Sly Park Road Pollock Pines CA 95726
Physical
5561 Sly Park Road Pollock Pines CA 95726
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 530-644-2324
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Sly Guard Cabin is located off U.S. Highway 50 in Pollock Pines, approximately 16 miles east of Placerville. Take Exit 60 (Sly Park Road) and travel south approximately 6.2 miles. Arrive at 5561 Sly Park Road on the left.
Available Campsites
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