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

REBECCA B

Verified

July 2, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

It's a beautiful basic cabin in the woods - we really enjoyed taking walks in the trees and enjoying Sly park. The cabin doesn't have a lot of frills, but it's great it that's what you're looking for.

REBECCA B

Verified

July 2, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

It's a beautiful basic cabin in the woods - we really enjoyed taking walks in the trees and enjoying Sly park. The cabin doesn't have a lot of frills, but it's great it that's what you're looking for.

scott k

Verified

July 9, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

My family stayed at Sly Ranger Cabin early July. Patrons before our arrival left the cabin clean with no crumbs visible on counters, table or floor. We left cabin clean. No mice. We went swimming at the Bridal Falls picnic area, about 9 mi away on Highway 50. Highly recommend the swimming area.

scott k

Verified

July 9, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

4

My family stayed at Sly Ranger Cabin early July. Patrons before our arrival left the cabin clean with no crumbs visible on counters, table or floor. We left cabin clean. No mice. We went swimming at the Bridal Falls picnic area, about 9 mi away on Highway 50. Highly recommend the swimming area.

Ryan S

Verified

July 13, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

Another good visit with family from out of town. Great weather and lots of fun.

Ryan S

Verified

July 13, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

Another good visit with family from out of town. Great weather and lots of fun.

Kaitlin B

Verified

August 4, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

- Great little cabin with perfect amenities!
- Wide open visibility to adjacent areas, but removed far enough from the main road (and trailhead parking lot) that it still feels very private.
- No rodent issues.
- Property is not fenced like the website says - a fire in the area seems to have damaged this and it hasn't been replaced.
- Even when the temperature was only high 80s, the cabin got very warm inside. Mosquitos were an issue and the windows don't have screens, so only the screened front and back door could stay open in the evening to cool things down. We ended up buying a fan from the hardware store to make the bedroom more comfortable at night.

Kaitlin B

Verified

August 4, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

- Great little cabin with perfect amenities!
- Wide open visibility to adjacent areas, but removed far enough from the main road (and trailhead parking lot) that it still feels very private.
- No rodent issues.
- Property is not fenced like the website says - a fire in the area seems to have damaged this and it hasn't been replaced.
- Even when the temperature was only high 80s, the cabin got very warm inside. Mosquitos were an issue and the windows don't have screens, so only the screened front and back door could stay open in the evening to cool things down. We ended up buying a fan from the hardware store to make the bedroom more comfortable at night.

Amanda W

Verified

December 3, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

What an awesome location! We loved exploring Apple Hill, hiking down to the river, and the paved bike path right outside the cabin door. The cabin included everything needed for the stay. Just bring bedding, toiletries, towels, and food. The fire pit outside was awesome as well. There are benches available or bring your own chairs. Be sure to check if fires are allowed and get a free online fire permit. All the appliances were in good working order and the heater worked wonderfully. There is also a space heater for the bedroom if you need more heat. There is a DVD player in the cabin and a small tv. The closet has some board games as well. There are basic cleaning supplies that may not always be available, depending on what someone has donated. The cabin has two twin beds and a pull out couch double/full bed. None of the beds are particularly comfortable for an adult- though it may be preference. The two twins are very firm. The pull out couch is a thin mattress and you can feel the frame beneath you. I would recommend bringing mattress toppers if you have them. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything needed to cook and eat with in terms of tools, pans, pots, and plates/bowls/forks. There were a lack of eating spoons. You will need to bring your own foil/spray/etc. There are 4 chairs in the kitchen (3 wooden and 1 metal folding). Enjoy! It truly is a hidden gem.

Amanda W

Verified

December 3, 2025 • Stayed at: Sly Guard Cabin, Loop: SLY GUARD CABIN

5

What an awesome location! We loved exploring Apple Hill, hiking down to the river, and the paved bike path right outside the cabin door. The cabin included everything needed for the stay. Just bring bedding, toiletries, towels, and food. The fire pit outside was awesome as well. There are benches available or bring your own chairs. Be sure to check if fires are allowed and get a free online fire permit. All the appliances were in good working order and the heater worked wonderfully. There is also a space heater for the bedroom if you need more heat. There is a DVD player in the cabin and a small tv. The closet has some board games as well. There are basic cleaning supplies that may not always be available, depending on what someone has donated. The cabin has two twin beds and a pull out couch double/full bed. None of the beds are particularly comfortable for an adult- though it may be preference. The two twins are very firm. The pull out couch is a thin mattress and you can feel the frame beneath you. I would recommend bringing mattress toppers if you have them. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything needed to cook and eat with in terms of tools, pans, pots, and plates/bowls/forks. There were a lack of eating spoons. You will need to bring your own foil/spray/etc. There are 4 chairs in the kitchen (3 wooden and 1 metal folding). Enjoy! It truly is a hidden gem.

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