Caples Lake Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Operates late June through September depending on snow conditions. Check-in is 2:00 p.m., check-out is 1:00 p.m.
Winter Storm Warning issued April 10 at 10:34AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet above 4500 feet, with up to 3 to 4 feet at the highest peaks. Minor snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches down to 4000 feet. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park Counties. * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the this evenings commute and weekend mountain travel. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels generally remain above pass levels through this afternoon, dropping to around 6000-7000 ft tonight-Saturday, then lowering to around 4000-5000 ft Sunday. Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inch per hour, with the heaviest snowfall Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Daily Burn Status
Burn Day Status: El Dorado County: (530) 621-5897Burn Day Status: Amador County: (209) 223-6246Fires do not stop at agency boundaries, nor do the agencies fighting them. The forest cooperates with other federal, state, and local partners in fire management activities. These relationships foster a…
Barrett Lake 4 X 4 Trail Motor Vehicle Prohibition
Barrett Lake Jeep trail closed to motor vehicle use in the winter.
Trash service ending for the winter in Crystal Basin on Oct. 20, 2025
Trash service within the Crystal Basin area is ending on Oct. 20, 2025, for the winter season. Please pack-out all trash with you when visiting.
Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping and Occupancy Restrictions for Desolation Wilderness, Mokelumne Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the Eldorado National Forest boundary.
Desolation Wilderness Food and Refuse Storage Restriction
Possessing or storing any food in Desolation Wilderness unless it is in a bear proof container.
03-25-01 Silver Bear Wheeled Vehicle Closure
Using a motorized wheeled vehicle on roads and trails in Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail System
Deer Valley Trail (19E01) & Meadow Lake Road (09N01)
Motor vehicle use restricted in these areas during snowmelt. See Forest Order Exhibit A for area map.
Horse Canyon Trail (17E21) Closure
This order prohibits use of a motorcycle or motor-driven bicycle on this trail.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions - Desolation Wilderness Area
Prohibited acts within Desolation Wilderness.
Travel Management Designation
Routes designated in Travel Management Subpart B are included as part of the current road system. Allows highway legal and non-highway legal motor vehicle use by the public on 1,002 miles of Maintenance Level 2 native surfaced roads. In addition, there are 635 miles of surfaced roads suitable…
About
Caples Lake Campground is located at 7,800 feet elevation in the Eldorado National Forest, 59 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88. The campground sits directly across the highway from Caples Lake, making it a convenient base for fishing, boating, and exploring the surrounding wilderness. With 34 sites ranging from walk-in tent sites to spaces that accommodate RVs and trailers, the campground serves a variety of camping styles. The campground provides vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and trash disposal. Each site includes a fire ring or grill, and campers are required to use only dead and down wood. Bear activity is common in the area, so proper food storage in the provided bear boxes is mandatory. A campground host is on site during the operating season. Recreation opportunities abound with Caples Lake offering fishing and boating with a 5 mph speed limit. Nearby Caples Lake Resort provides a restaurant, store, boat rentals, and fishing licenses. The campground also serves as a gateway to the Mokelumne Wilderness, with hiking trails accessible from the area. Kirkwood Ski Area and Kit Carson Lodge are within driving distance, offering additional dining, supplies, and recreational options.
Directions
59 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88, directly across from Caples Lake.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $36 - $72 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (209) 259-3774 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Caples Lake Campground | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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