Caples Lake Campground

Recreation Opportunity Guides (ROG) - These guides contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest.

Current Conditions

Only first loop open.
Scheduled closure date Sep. 28th, 2025, subject to change due to weather conditions.

General Information

CAUTION: There are bears in the area. Please keep all foods, soaps, and garbage properly stored in bear boxes.
Check ahead. Campfires may not be allowed during fire restrictions.

late June - September

Check in time is 2:00 p.m. Check out time is 1:00 p.m.

Interagency Senior and Access passes are accepted for single family units.

Check out time is 1:00 p.m.
Camping Fires: Please use the grill or fire ring provided. Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving, using only water, not soil. Use only dead and down wood for your campfires.
Maximum Stay Limit: 14 days per district per year.

$36/single
$72/double

Site Information:

Number of Sites = 34
Walk-In Tent Single Site # = 1, 3, 6-8, 16-18, 24, 26
Walk-In Tent Double Site # = 22
Tent Site # = 2, 4, 5, 9-11, 13-15,19-21
Tent, Trailer, or R.V. Site # = 12, 23, 25, 27-30

Keep family pets on a leash at all times.
Please clean up after your pet.

Photo of entrance of the Amador Ranger District Office.

Address: 26820 Silver Drive Pioneer, CA 95667
Phone: (209) 259-3774
Hours: 8 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 38.704164

Longitude: -120.052795

Elevation

7,800 feet

Directions

59 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88.

Parking

Single units are limited to 2 vehicle and 6 people per site.
Double units are limited to 4 vehicles and 12 people.
An extra vehicle is allowed for a fee if the parking spur will accommodate it.
Vehicle = Any equipment that is required to be licensed/registered. Includes RVs, trailers, cars/ trucks, boat/car trailer, motorcycle/ATV, etc. Vehicles parked in a truck or on a trailer are not counted separately.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

Water system tested monthly during use season.
RV filling from piped water sources in campgrounds and day use areas is NOT permitted.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Horse/Pack Animal Information

Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.

Other Amenities

Within 5 Miles

Boating (5 m.p.h. limit on Caples Lake).
Horseback riding: Kirkwood Corrals and Kirkwood Stables.
Hiking access to Mokelumne Wilderness (permit required for overnight use year-round). Permits available at Carson Pass Informa on Station (summer only) and the Amador Ranger Station.
Caples Lake Resort: restaurant, store, boat rentals, fishing licenses, phone, cabin rentals.
Kirkwood Ski Area: restaurant, store, post office, room rentals, gas, phone, fishing licenses, summer recreation program.
EID Boat Launch, Public phone available.
Kit Carson Lodge: boat rentals, cabin rentals, restaurant, store, laundromat, phone.

On -Site