Historic Sly Guard Cabin
SLY GUARD CABIN- Winter
Historic Sly Guard Cabin
SLY GUARD CABIN KITCHEN
SLY GUARD CABIN- Living Room

Featured amenities

General Store General Store
Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Private Bathroom Private Bathroom
Restrooms Restrooms

About Sly Guard Cabin

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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

General Store General Store
Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Private Bathroom Private Bathroom
Restrooms Restrooms
Showers Showers
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Kitchen Kitchen
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
  • Showers
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • General Store
Water Access

Water Access

  • Boat Ramp / Launch

Cabin Interior

  • Private Bathroom
  • Hot Water
  • Kitchen
  • Heating
Missing information?

Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

🏠 Cabin
  • 12 guests

Site Details

Up to 12 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Campfire
View Site Details

Reviews (46)

What Guests Are Saying

Sly Guard Cabin offers a cozy and rustic retreat near beautiful hiking trails and a lake, perfect for nature lovers. Guests appreciate the well-stocked kitchen, comfortable twin beds, and enjoyable outdoor amenities like a fire pit and horseshoe pit. While some noted minor issues, such as a lack of specific kitchen items and occasional road noise, many found the cabin to be a hidden gem with a welcoming atmosphere.

Review Summary

4.2
46 reviews
5
52.2%
24
4
34.8%
16
3
0.0%
0
2
4.3%
2
1
8.7%
4

Irene L

Verified

September 16, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

I’m an avid camper. This was the best cabin I have ever stayed at. I will come back again.

Kirk R

Verified

August 10, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

Nice place to get out to the nearby lake and hiking trails, and also close to town for supplies. Well stocked for warmer weather with fans throughout

Stephen D

Verified

July 17, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

Just spend day, didn't slept this trip.
Love the area
Sad that no camp fire but want to keep area safe

Alek M

Verified

May 25, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

Cozy little cabin in the woods, we have two rituals when coming here. Hike to the waterfalls on the backside of Jenkinson Lake, and the morning of our departure, we walk our daughter to the fire station accross the street where they're always happy to let her sit in a truck for a moment. The cabin itself is great, if you plan to use the DVD player be sure to bring your own as there arent many DVDs there, most are not child friendly but that's not a big deal as long as you bring some of your own. If not, even better as you can enjoy the fire pit in the back area of the cabin. A few trees are perfect distance for some hammocks, and there is a horseshoe pit. Plenty of benches and two large tables near the fire ring. This place might not be for everyone, but absolutely amazing for my little family and we love it.

Susan L

Verified

April 29, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

We loved our 1 day stay at Sly Guard cabin. It's old fashioned/ rustic, but very well appointed. There's a wall heater, full bath with soap and TP, hot and cold running water, a full kitchen with many pots, pans, dishes, mugs, paper and cloth towels. They are low on on some items - there was only 1 spoon!, and few drinking glasses (several wine goblets), no cutting board. But lots of cleaning supplies, dish soap, sponges. The twin beds were comfy (bring your own bedding), and the couch was comfortable to sit on. There are many games to play and lots of action & horror movies to watch. We didn't do as much in nature as we had hoped as there was a 2 day rain storm when we were there. But the area seems lovely for exploring in better weather. The cabin is close to the road but road noise was neglible, at least in April. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and look forward to going back, hopefully inviting family to camp outside where there are picnic tables.

Susan L

Verified

April 29, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

We loved our 1 day stay at Sly Guard cabin. It's old fashioned/ rustic, but very well appointed. There's a wall heater, full bath with soap and TP, hot and cold running water, a full kitchen with many pots, pans, dishes, mugs, paper and cloth towels. They are low on on some items - there was only 1 spoon!, and few drinking glasses (several wine goblets), no cutting board. But lots of cleaning supplies, dish soap, sponges. The twin beds were comfy (bring your own bedding), and the couch was comfortable to sit on. There are many games to play and lots of action & horror movies to watch. We didn't do as much in nature as we had hoped as there was a 2 day rain storm when we were there. But the area seems lovely for exploring in better weather. The cabin is close to the road but road noise was neglible, at least in April. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and look forward to going back, hopefully inviting family to camp outside where there are picnic tables.

Kim S

Verified

April 26, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

If you want to get out in nature and away from people, this is the place. Near the lake. Access to trails, one is paved. Cabin with full kitchen and bathroom . Back area with fire pit and plenty of room.

Kim S

Verified

April 26, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

If you want to get out in nature and away from people, this is the place. Near the lake. Access to trails, one is paved. Cabin with full kitchen and bathroom . Back area with fire pit and plenty of room.

Tonja E

Verified

March 16, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

A basic little cabin with trails right out the door. There is a refrigerator, stove and microwave. Go easy on the kitchen faucet, it's very loose! Good hot water in the kitchen and bathroom and the surroundings are just lovely. Just the right elevation to get away.

Tonja E

Verified

March 16, 2026 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

A basic little cabin with trails right out the door. There is a refrigerator, stove and microwave. Go easy on the kitchen faucet, it's very loose! Good hot water in the kitchen and bathroom and the surroundings are just lovely. Just the right elevation to get away.

Location & Directions for Sly Guard Cabin

5561 Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines, CA 95726 United States

Elevation: 1,087 ft

Getting There

Sly Guard Cabin is located off U.S. Highway 50 in Pollock Pines, approximately 16 mi east of Placerville. Take Exit 60 (Sly Park Road) and travel south approximately 6.2 mi. Arrive at 5561 Sly Park Road on the left.

Nearest town

Pollock Pines, CA - 6.9 mi

About 12 min to downtown

Highway access

Sly Guard Cabin is accessible via U.S. Highway 50, located approximately 16 miles west of Pollock Pines. The nearest exit is Exit 60 (Sly Park Road), which is about 6.2 miles from the cabin.

Nearby National Park

Yosemite National Park

South Entrance

Approximate driving time: over 1 hr (104 min)

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore Pollock Pines, CA

Population: 6,212

Nearby larger city

Folsom, CA

Approx. 31 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 3,921 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service