Placerville, CA…The Eldorado National Forest is busy getting ready for the upcoming visitor season. Exciting upgrades to many developed recreation sites are underway or have been recently completed by our partners Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and El Dorado Irrigation District (EID). These companies manage reservoirs and support recreation facilities throughout the forest which are part of their licensed hydroelectric power generation projects. These projects provide water storage, renewable energy and a vast number of recreational opportunities. Many of these recreation facilities are operated by another partner, Royal Elk Park Management (REPM), a forest concessionaire that oversees and maintains multiple sites under a Special Use Permit. As you can see, along with forest recreation staff, there is a large team working to make your visit safe and enjoyable! Recreation site closures while improvements are being made, changes in user fees, and updates to the reservation system are important things visitors should know prior to their visit in 2021.  

RENOVATION UPDATES

 

CG = Campground / DU = Day Use / TH = Trailhead

 

Closures for reconstruction / improvements – Seek an alternative location while renovations are in progress

 

·      Yellowjacket CG & Boat Launch (all Year)

·      West Point CG including access road from North Union-Valley Rd (all year)

·      West Point Boat Ramp & parking area from NUVR (after Labor Day)

·      Sunset Boat Ramp (after Labor Day)

·      Wolf Creek Group Campground & access Road (all year)

·      Wolf Creek CG from NUVR (after Labor Day)

·      Camino Cove CG from NUVR (all year)

·      Dru Barner CG/DU (partial closures in 2021)

 

Upgrades completed – Enjoy these new and improved facilities

 

·      Caples Lake CG

·      Silver Lake East CG (additional improvements planned late 2021/2022)

·      Buck Island Toilet Installation

·      East Slab Creek Hand-launch Boat Access/DU

·      West Slab Creek Whitewater Boating Access/DU

·      Brush Creek Reservoir Boat Ramp/DU

·      Northshore RV CG

·      Loon Lake Boat Ramp/DU/TH

 

Automated Fee Machines are installed at the following locations – Fees can be paid with credit / debit cards for convenience

 

·      Pyramid Creek TH/DU

·      Pipi CG/DU

·      Pardoes Point CG/DU

·      Wrights Lake CG/DU

·      Icehouse Boat Ramp/DU/CG

·      Sunset Boat Ramp/DU/CG

·      Wench Creek CG

·      Yellowjacket Boat Ramp/DU/CG

·      Loon Lake CG/Boat Ramp/DU

·      New additions for 2021:

·    Silver Lake CG

·    Carson Pass TH

 

Recreation.gov – Reservation System Updates

 

·      Sunset-Union Valley has all the First Come First Serve sites listed in their system now

·      New facilities added to the reservation system in 2021:

·    Dru Barner CG, Northshore CG and Wench Creek CG

·    Adventure Mountain self-contained RV campsites

 

FEE UPDATES

 

REPM Operated Sites Fee Leveling / Increase – Maintenance costs vary with distance to services and fees are being made consistent across the forest

 

·      Day Use Sites – $10

·      Standard sites WITH water- $28

·      Standard sites WITHOUT water- $25

·      Group sites have an adjusted value based on amenities and location – see recreation guide for details

 

Day Use Fee Waived for 2021 at Several Locations

 

Wrights Lake Day Use and Trailheads and Kirkwood Lake Day Use will be fee free in 2021 to provide an opportunity for additional public input on the new fees at these sites. The REPM concessionaire fee structure has been modified with these changes:

 

·      Wrights Lake Day Use – No fees in 2021

·      Rockbound Trailhead – No fees in 2021

·      Twin Lakes Trailhead – No fees in 2021

·      Kirkwood Lake Day Use – No fees in 2021

 

Our complete 2021 fee schedule can be found online here.

 

CHECK FOR ONGOING UPDATES

 

Check the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado or call the ranger stations for current information on season opening dates for our facilities. Our virtual offices are staffed to provide visitor information from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday: 

 

·      Forest Supervisor’s Office – 530-303-2412

·      Georgetown Ranger District – 530-334-6477

·      Placerville/Pacific Ranger District – 916-500-4712

·      Amador Ranger District – 209-259-3774

 

The forest will also be publishing several articles in the coming weeks with important information and updates on recreation operations for 2021. 

 

OUTDOOR SAFETY IN THE COVID ENVIRONMENT

 

We are continuing to adhere to COVID safe practices. To support a safe and enjoyable experience for all, the Forest Service encourages visitors to wear a mask on National Forest System (NFS) lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and, when an individual is likely to interact with others outside their household. These areas include but are not limited to, high-density developed recreation sites, congested trailheads, along popular hiking paths, and around visitor information boards, parking areas and shelters.

 

It is recommended that a mask that aligns with CDC guidance be carried at all times by everyone over the age of 2 who visits NFS lands, regardless of the purpose.

 

RECREATE RESPONSIBLY

 

As always, please recreate responsibly on your National Forests by packing out your trash and not damaging natural or cultural resources. Tread lightly and leave no trace! 

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The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.