Silver Lake East puts you steps from one of the Sierra's most accessible alpine lakes at 7,200 feet elevation. The campground sits at Thunder Mountain's base with direct trail access to Silver Lake's swimming beaches and a network of high-country hikes that don't require epic climbs to reach payoff destinations.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $8
- 📍GPS
- 38.67500, -119.88750
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 209-258-2287
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The campground spreads across the north end of Silver Lake, 50 miles east of Jackson via Highway 88. Sites come with vault toilets, drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables, with some featuring bear-proof storage containers. A small pond tucked in the campground's center draws ducks but stays hidden from individual sites.
Single sites max out at two vehicles and six people, keeping things relatively contained. Silver Lake West sits just across Highway 88 if you want additional trail options or access to the Silver Fork of the American River.
The Lake and Trails
Silver Lake spans 200 acres in a granite basin surrounded by mixed conifers. The lake holds stocked rainbow, German brown, and Mackinaw trout for anglers, plus boat rentals and a ramp at the nearby lodge. Multiple trails connect the campground directly to the lake and swimming areas.
For higher destinations, the Granite Lake Trail starts at Minkalo Trailhead on Silver Lake's east shore. The trail crosses Squaw Creek on a wooden bridge, then hits a junction about half a mile beyond — right fork leads to Plasse's, left fork to Granite Lake. From Granite Lake's southeast end, you can continue to Hidden Lake.
What to Know
The elevation advantage means shorter hikes to alpine destinations, though summer wildflowers still bloom in the high meadows around the lakes. Carson Pass Highway runs right past Silver Lake, offering mountain photography opportunities and an easy connection south of Lake Tahoe.
Pay phones, restaurant, and boat services operate at the nearby lodge. Standard reservation fees apply: $8 online, $9 by phone, $3 in person, with the usual cancellation and change fees.