Sly Park Recreation Area- Blue skies have returned and offer opportunities for beautiful recreation in Sly Park!
Visiting the park during a non-holiday weekday provides a peaceful recreation experience. Visiting the park during a non-holiday weekday gives a whole new recreation perspective of this beautiful location.
Learn more about the recreation opportunities on Sly Park Recreation Area / Jenkinson Lake’s webpage.
Sly Park Recreation area offers something for everyone! The center piece of SPRA is Jenkinson Lake, providing opportunities to swim, fish, water ski or take part in a variety of paddle sports activities and rentals. No personal watercraft like SeaDoos are allowed on the lake.
The lake is surrounded by over 9 miles of trails that accommodate hikers, bikers and horses. The trail system winds through thick forested areas and open meadows while closely following the lake shore around the entire perimeter. Perhaps relaxing in the shade is your ideal activity, we have you covered there as well. Scattered throughout the park are a variety of day-use areas which are excellent picnic or cookout locations.
All Day Use Areas are in close proximity to the lake and have access to picnic tables, restrooms and drinking water.
Currently the lake is at 80% of capacity and the waterfall is flowing! To check the lake level or waterfall flow go to the Jenkinson Lake Streamflow Information webpage.
Camping Sly Park
Sly Park Recreation Area is a wonderful place to bring the whole family for an unforgettable camping experience. The park features family (12 or less people, including children/babies) as well as individual, eight (8) or less people, including children/babies) campsites. Beginning 2023 campsites at Sly Park Recreation Area will be limited to six (6) peoples per individual campsite.
Each campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, and barbecue. Vault toilets and water faucets are conveniently located throughout the campgrounds. Sites will accommodate tents as well as RV’s up to 40′. Visit the Reservations webpage to check site size. Reservations for individual campsites are accepted year round and up to 14 months in advance.
Boating and Fishing
Jenkinson Lake allows water skiing, wake boarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, cruising, and sailing. You may launch your boat at one of the two concrete ramps (see Park Map for ramp locations). Boating regulations are strictly enforced and are in compliance with California boating laws. There is a 5 mph speed limit within 200 feet of swimming areas, docks, ramps and the shoreline, and 100 feet from downed skiers, other boats, and in the lake Narrows.
The maximum speed limit is 35 mph and the travel pattern is counter clockwise. All boats are subject to noise level tests and inspection for quagga mussels. Self-check your boat before launching to help ensure the lake remains free of Invasive Mussels.
Hiking, Biking & Equestrian
Jenkinson Lake is surrounded with trails that covering nine plus miles that mostly follows the shoreline. The trail system is in the easy to more difficult range with a short section on the south shore of the lake that is more difficult. Novice riders should be prepared to walk their bikes in this area. Refer to the trail map linked below to determine which section is appropriate to your skill level. Some sections of trail on the north shore of the lake proceed along the roadway, watch for motorists. Sections of trail in the Main Day Use area and the Hazel Meadow Day Use area will accommodate wheelchair access. A few portions of the trail are multi-use—use caution in these areas.
Nearby to Sly Park Trails: Fleming Meadows Trail System
Direction to Sly Park Recreation Area:
From Sacramento take US-50 East (toward South Lake Tahoe) to the Sly Park Road exit, EXIT 60. Turn Right onto Sly Park Road. The park entrance is approximately 4.5 miles, on your left.
From South Lake Tahoe take US-50 West (toward Sacramento) to Sly Park Road exit, EXIT 60. Turn left onto Sly Park Road. The park entrance is approximately 4.5 miles, on your left.
