We were recently married on Carson Pass---we stopped by Kit Carson Lodge for a celebratory beverage at about 4:45pm on a Thursday afternoon. We were told immediately upon entry that the lodge opened at 5:00pm . The manager then came out and said we cannot in any accommodate you we have fully booked up for dinner and we only serve wine and beer. This situation could have been addressed in a number of ways that would have welcomed us. One of the easy method since they had a big beautiful deck that was unused. Instead it was no way, we can't, more importantly you are not welcome here. Won't be going back there. read more

Great location, great design and surroundings. I have tremendous respect for those that preserve such a special place. The first reviewer was right; it is not for those looking for luxury. A few things to keep in mind: The "complimentary breakfast" is ONLY applicable to the 8-10 a.m. breakfast and NOT the Sunday Champagne Brunch. The brunch is highly publicized and they don't make clear that they serve breakfast AND brunch on Sundays. If you want to pay $22/plate for cheap champagne and sub-par food/service, feel free. I was gravely disappointed. The restaurant leaves a lot to be desired in terms of quality and service. The prices are pretty hefty, but the quality of food is quite poor. On a Saturday night, we were told that they were out of pork loin, and that the rack of lamb was frozen so we'd have to wait an hour for it to thaw (it was already 8 p.m.) before we could eat. The service staff, while they were nice, was very, very poor. Took 10 minutes for anyone to acknowledge that we were waiting for a table (in a half-empty restaurant), took another 10 minutes to be seated, another 10 to get a drink and for our order to be taken. No refills on coffee (even when we asked), no sugars in the sugar basket and really, I could go on. The management seems to bring in exchange students from other countries to work the service industry, but that's a big mistake if people are paying top dollar and these kids are not trained in the basics. I'm giving the lodge 3 stars, but really only for the ambience and the respect I have for history and well-designed places. For everything else, like management and service, I give it a 1 star +. By the way, thank goodness I brought my own soap, because after 3 nights, the housekeeping service did not provide a bar of soap! None! read more

This place is multifacted. First, yes it is rustic so you will need to be okay with that. For instance we brought a one cup coffee maker and blew the fuse in the cabin -- cost $20. We went to the restaurant for breakfast (and coffee). The coffee is BAD - cost $2. The beds are pretty bad. In essence, it's rustic. Oh, and very limited cell/internet -- which I guess could be a blessing. But there are some good things about the place. 1) the lake is magnificent 2) the fishing and kayaking are great -- better than great 3) we saw a bald eagle flying overhead which was breathtaking. The thing is for us as a middle aged couple, we think staying at Kirkwood overnight and then driving down (5 miles) to Silver Lake to enjoy the lake is much better. Kirkwood offers 1/2 the price and 2x the quality. read more

I bought this deal from living social for a two night stay. Upon arriving my husband and I immediately gained our sanity back. The nice, peaceful and natural views of the lake were breathtaking. We stayed in the Red Fir cabin, it was a reasonable size, with a descent shower, and cute little patio, where I sat for hours feeding blue jays with nuts and almonds. The room was quite hot, (labor day weekend 2012) during the day, and quite cold at night, but we managed. To describe it, I would say it was like camping, but with class. The cabin decor was old, but fit the natural forest view and I thought it was cute. Lunch was average with corn cobs, and pork ribs. Breakfast was descent with boiled eggs, bagels, and yogurt. Overall, I really enjoyed the birds, kayaking, fishing on the breathtaking lake, the cute little chipmunks crossing our paths, the friendly service from the national exchange students, and most of all disconnecting from the noisy city life, and our excessive addiction to technological instruments! We enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!!! read more

My boyfriend and I went here to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. We don't normally stay in something that costs this much but I've been wanting to stay here for years. We stayed in Eastern Brook which was very quaint. Yes, as the reviews say, the cabins are very rustic. We had a parking space, a bbq, and a partial view of the lake. The cabins are pretty close to each other but our neighbors were quiet so noise wasn't an issue. The cabin had pretty much everything we needed. I thought the master bed was pretty comfortable but my boyfriend said it was hard. The second "bedroom" has a full bed and that's about all that can fit in there. It's also open to the living room/common area (no door). The cabin would have been fine with four people but not very romantic ;) The deck was awesome. Needs repainting and sanding so don't go barefoot. The sliding back door needs to be replaced. The fireplace was ready to light with wood and paper already in it. Wi-fi didn't work at the cabin but was fine at the restaurant. We went down to the beach and like the all-inclusive resort we went to in Cabo for a wedding, the seat-stealers had already "called" the chaise lounges and umbrellas. There were plenty of lounges but not enough umbrellas. We never saw one party of seat-stealers in the 4-5 hrs we were at the beach. First world problem, yes. We never ate at the restaurant but it is super cute and inviting. Only issue w/ the cabin is the toilet is super sensitive due to having old plumbing. Aside from checking in with Tom when we arrived Friday evening, we never really saw anyone and it was a very relaxing stay. We would have rented paddle boards had they been available. The old outboards are way too expensive at $45/hr. The kayaks should have been free for guests since the cabin was over $700 for 2 nights. read more

We have been coming to Kit Carson for years and we love it. The area is beautiful and peaceful with lots of things to do such as hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, exploring and other fun activities. The cabins are rustic and charming with views of Silver Lake. They have a nice cozy lodge with a restaurant that serves great food. Everyone there is awesome and very friendly. To those who give bad reviews, we understand that sometimes, wherever we may be, things don't always turn out like we expect. All it takes is a little patience, understanding and consideration to see that all is not what it seems. read more

We have spent time there twice in the covid 19 pandemic. Staff and guest respectful of face masks and distancing. Cabins are rustic, some more than others but the lake is so lovely and quiet and the hikes around are delightful. Has a very small store for necessities and a good restaurant where you can eat outside at a safe distance from everyone. We really enjoyed our two stays there. Book ahead although this closes in October every year. read more

We got two nights at the Kit Carson Lodge through an internet deal. What a beauttfiul setting. Silver Lake is stunning. The cabin we stayed in (Rainbow) was tiny but really cute. The restaurant food was good, not great and a bit pricey, but our waitress was the best. This is NOT a luxury resort...the cabins are rustic, there is one place to eat, and it is pretty far from everything. Perfect!!! read more

One of my favorite places to have lunch. You can not beat the location and setting . My daughter and I had lunch on the deck and enjoyed the view of Silver Lake. The food was delicious and the service was attentive to us. It is a bit pricey, but worth it. read more

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I loved staying here, massive pine trees, just steps to the lake, and a great restaurant with a deck. This is in the High Sierra, with amazing hiking nearby. read more

We spent 4 days at Cinnamon Bear cabin in August 2015 and my family of 7 had a wonderful time. Thanks to Mike the owner for spending time with my father. He is 93 and remembers much of that area and enjoyed the discussion about guns. My 85 year old mother has wanted to stop by for over 55 years and we finally full filled that dream. And my sister-in-law is from China and truly enjoyed walking around, watching the chipmunks and squirrels, and eating american food. Both of my parents were quite happy. Who knows how many more family vacations we will have. They have a very clean an organized place. The restaurant dinner was marvelous, and the chef checked on options when my son asked for a change on the wine sauce. They were very helpful. The views were amazing. The hiking was wonderful. The cabin was peaceful even with 7 of us. You better enjoy rustic, which we all did. We were prepared and took our percolator coffee pot, but the fridge and stove/oven were great, we had plenty of room for relaxing and talking in Cinnamon Bear. My family is ready to spend some time there again. read more

My husband and I have enjoyed a delicious lunch in July and last night a memorable dinner on the deck. Great service. And remarkably outstanding dinner. I had the salmon in flaky pastry and my husband had the sea bass. We shared a all Caesar salad. Runquist wine made it even better. Location unbeatable. Sooo much better than fancy Tahoe places. Rustic, yes. Worth it, absolutely. Going back, no doubt. read more

This is a really special place! It is remote but has everything you need! Loved the water access and paddle boarding! The water was like glass! The people were nice and friendly and the food was great! read more

We spent 2 nights in the hotel with a view of the lake. A rustic hotel room with a very comfortable bed. Not a lot of space but perfect for 2 people - made it cozy. Nice breezes kept our room cool and inviting. The food was off the hook amazing! We were so impressed with dinner the first night consisting of beef brisket tacos and homemade soups that we decided to eat there the 2nd night as well. And, they did not disappoint. The alfredo vege pasta and pesto pork loin with garlic mashers were mouth-watering tasty. Had to try breakfast - if you are a biscuits and gravy fan, probably the best gravy I've ever tasted. Thick and full of pork sausage and flavor...just delicious. We are hikers and enjoyed a trip to the post piles about 2.5 miles out...part trail and part following the ducks! Great adventure for those who enjoy something a bit more than hanging out at the lake. Mike and Karen, the owners, are a great couple who are friendly and outgoing and went the extra mile to make our anniversary weekend truly memorable. read more

Stopped in here for Dinner one evening (July 2017) on the way home from Caples Lake. Now, I've known about Kit Carson for a long time as I've been coming to Silver Lake since the 1980's but never really eat there! I have to say that I really expected more from this place...and their prices would suggest they are a High-End establishment, they are not! Upon arriving, we were escorted to the patio, not offered a place in the dinning room. Our server must have been on some type of exchange program because she spoke little to no English and was very, very difficult to understand and communicate with. We all asked for Diet Cokes and confirmed that they had Diet Coke...the server looked at the menu, than said, Yes. We were brought Diet Pepsi's...sent them back! They had to go to the store to get Diet Coke...which we were charged $3.00 each for a can of Diet Coke. HOLY CRAP! Really? We finally order from the menu of expensive dishes. I ordered the Shrimp and Pasta...bad call there. The pasta was under cooked, the shrimp came right out of the freezer and was placed on top of the pasta. The sauce...if that didn't come out of a jar, it was the worst tasting sauce I've had. Now, if this was a $10.00 meal, sure. However, my Shrimp and Pasta was well over $25 so this was a damn shame coming from Kit Carson. The best thing that came out of the kitchen was the Beef Stroganoff which is kind of Sad, but not much I can do about that...I'm the Customer, not the server nor cook. I would say think twice about dinning here! My god, you can get better food at Ham's Station on Hwy 88...or just bite the bullet and go into Gardnerville or into Myers. Just not worth the money they are charging. read more

Had a decent meal the steak was good and sides of fresh veg and mashed potatoes were also ok. The chicken Marsala was good too. Steak was prepared as requested and portion size was plentiful. Service has something to be desired, the young man that was our waiter seemed bothered by us almost as a hassle that we were there. We watched 3 different groups of people come between 8:15 and 8:30 for dinner and were turned away. One group of 4 even said they called and said they were on their way. All website and other information says you are open until 9pm. This should be honored, even a salad and bread or soup and salad or a quick pasta, something! Remember this is the hospitality business,train your staff and empower them to be hospitable. Being in a remote location with posted hours has some responsibility along with it. If someone drives an hour to enjoy your lovely lodge within the open hours posted they should not be flatly turned away with no other options in the area at that time of evening. I hope this provides some discussion opportunity with the staff. read more

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER !!! WE WILL NEVER COMEBACK OR RECOMEND THIS LODGE!! We rented a few cabins and hotel room , to say that they are overpriced is an understatement!! I have been in 5 star hotels before THIS IS NOT ONE!!! the location is beautiful but THE OWNERS ARE HORRIBLE!!! The lack of Management skills and just basic human kindness is truly Sad. They managed to ruin my daughter's special wedding day because we took a couple of pictures!!! THEY YELLED AND TOLD US TO GET OUT AND THAT WE WERE RUDE??? Even though we explain that we were guest at their Lodge and we did not know that we could not take pictures .WE OFFERED to pay for pictures BUT THEY SAID NO!! Maybe they can take care of their employees and FIX their cabins but making money is more important to them! Truly disappointed and angry at them. read more

This is based on the fact that we arrived in the afternoon... and went fishing late... On our way to pick up my daughter from band camp at Silver Lake... We met some really nice people fishing on Capleas lake and fished too late... headed back to Kirkwood resort where we were staying... Bar tend told us- "Kitchen closed, and I am closing up", Me where can we gat food?", after not having any food al day..., "30 miles either way", so taking a chance we head 5 miles so to SilverLake to Kit Carson lodge... We are meeted by a charming, Indian, young man, who opens the door and offers us beer and wine in a charming accent, somehow strikin me odd, in in the high sierra's... And I push further for bread which he says he can accomomdate, We sit and then he tells us he can give us salad.. He is my new boyfriend! I love him! Forget the bartender at Kirkwood! Thankyou, my new friend for saving a yelping damsel in distress! Best damn salad with blue cheese and bread, ever !!!!5 stars to you, and 0 to Kirkwood Bubub's sports bar, get off the crack! And you're teeth won't be black! read more

We ate at the restaurant yesterday for lunch. Besides the fact that one person in our party got food poisoning from the clam chowder, the owner/boss yelled at the waitress in front of all the customers trying to eat. She told her she should be able to handle all the tables faster. I say the owner/boss should've put an apron on and helped the waitress. She was doing a good job, but she was slammed working all by herself. read more

I've been vacationing at Kit Carson Lodge for nearly thirty years. I keep coming back for the ambiance of the old Sierra/Tahoe resorts, now long gone. If you want the modern resort hotel experience, go to South Shore. If you like 'old-school' and want to step back in time in comfort and in stunningly beautiful surroundings, you will not find anything as wonderful as this anywhere in the Sierras! Believe me, I've searched! Kit Carson cabins are quite basic, yes, but at the end of a day of hiking, lounging on a deck chair with slippers on and sipping a cold one---it does not get any better! All cabins are sited with views of Silver Lake, my favorite is Wolf with its spacious deck. The motel units are nicely appointed, knotty pine-paneled rooms that all have decks overlooking the lake. I note some negative comments regarding the inexperience of the wait-staff and the quality and cost of the food. My experience has been that the young waitstaff are delightful, very courteous, and eager to serve. We have never waited to be seated and service was prompt. Food quality versus cost: This year's new chef and his staff are producing outstanding, gourmet meals that my wife and I would be pleased to enjoy in a fancy restaurant in San Francisco. Regarding cost, we felt that given the quality of the meals, the beautiful location, and the convenience of dining a few steps from our cabin, the cost was most reasonable. We always keep in mind that the cost of restaurant meals anywhere in the Sierras reflects the added costs transport of food and fuel to rather remote locations. We go to Kit Carson for the hiking. Within a short drive (or walk) from our cabin there are more than a dozen hikes to gorgeous lakes and wild flower-carpeted, high meadows. About twenty minutes from KCL, the Woods Lake-Winnemuca Lake-Round Top-Lost Cabin Mine Loop is a great introduction to the wild flower delights near KCL. Due to late snows, it is spring up there right now! So go and enjoy! Gary S. Santa Cruz, CA read more

My husband and I went to Kit Carson Lodge in July for three days to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We had been looking forward to the trip for months. I called the day of our reservation to confirm the cabin and there was no mention of a problem. When we arrived to check in we were told that it (Rainbow) was having a septic problem and we would have to check into another cabin (Gray Squirrel). We asked if that meant we would have to move during our stay and the nice girl helping us was unsure. She asked us to check back in the office the next morning at 9 am and the owner would be there. She told us we did not have to pay our outstanding balance yet because she was sure the owner would "take care of us" somehow because of the hassle. We checked into the Gray Squirrel and unloaded all of our stuff, and since these are housekeeping cabins and you bring everything, that means we unloaded coolers, dry goods, extra cooking supplies, etc. so we could make dinner that night. The Gray Squirrel also seemed to have a septic problem and my husband had to plunge the toilet repeatedly to get it to flush that night. The next morning we went to the lodge and found we would indeed have to move out of the Gray Squirrel because it was reserved for other guests. The bad news was that the Rainbow cabin was still being worked on. The owner was apologetic and appreciative at our willingness to move and he and another worker helped us move our stuff from one cabin to the other in a golf cart. We may be overpackers, but it was still a pain to hurriedly throw everything into the cart and move cabins. Unloading and reloading the fridge and cabinets of our supplies was the biggest hassle. When we got to the Rainbow cabin we were very pleased with the cabin, view, location, and cleanliness. Unfortunately, there was no water in the Rainbow cabin due to whatever problem they were having so we could not use the sink/shower/toilet while they were working on it. They were again apologetic, but we were told that we had to walk down to the lodge front desk, ask for a key, and then walk to the outdoor bathrooms anytime we needed to use the toilet or sink. The workers were in, under, and in front of the cabin for most of the day working in an open sewer pit right off of the deck. Nice people, but not quite the privacy we had planned for our 20th anniversary celebration. Finally, shortly after 3 pm, they let us know that all was well and we could use the bathroom and they were leaving us. That evening I went to take a shower and found we had no hot water. It was after 9 pm and the front desk was closed. I boiled hot water on the stove to wash dishes that evening and the next morning. The next morning, we awoke smelling gas. My husband checked the pilot light in the oven and it was out so he lit it. When the office opened we went down to let them know that we didn't have any hot water. It turns out they had blown out several pilot lights the day before and had either not realized or forgotten that our cabin was affected. We went back to the cabin and the maintenance folks soon showed up to relight all of the pilot lights in the cabin. At this point (mid-Wednesday morning) all of our maintenance issues had been resolved. (We had checked in Monday). We made the best of it and had a wonderful time, but we were a bit irked that out of our entire stay only 24 hours of it was in a trouble-free cabin. The staff was very kind and apologetic and kept telling us that Mike would "do right by us." One of the workers brought us a bottle of wine that evening and although I told him we didn't drink, it was a nice gesture. Upon checkout, the girl at the front desk still didn't know what to charge us. Mike was off the property, and she was sure he was going to give us some sort of discount. She asked us to pay the entire balance and said he would call us later that day and they would provide a credit. Once home that afternoon, My husband called and asked to speak to Mike and was told that he was still unavailable. He ended up calling three separate times and Mike wouldn't even get on the line or give him a call back. We were shocked that he wouldn't return the call, even if to say that he wasn't doing anything for us or refunding any of our money. Other than the maintenance issues and the situation with Mike not returning our call or making good on his promise, EVERYTHING else was amazing. The food in the restaurant, the service in the restaurant, store, and front desk, and the setting were all exceptional. We thoroughly enjoyed everything about the trip, the location, the resort, and the employees, other than our cabin issues. The accommodations are pricey, but I think it would have been worth it - IF - everything had been working and the cabin was truly ready for us when we arrived. The maintenance issues and lack of follow up by the owner has left a bit of a bad taste in our mouths. I think we would return again, but am not entirely sure. read more

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The lakeside view is gorgeous. The menus is small, but the food is very good and the servers are very friendly. read more

Kit Carson Lodge - Hotels Near Me - Kit Carson, California

I went eagerly expecting rusticity, not a resort. Instead, I found a lack of professionalism, poor staffing, painfully slow dinner service, and a broken room heater. The problem that bothered me the most was finding the owner to be unbearably rude. In addition, most of the staff are students from overseas with varying degrees of English proficiency and not nearly enough training to run a restaurant for the summer. The place was like Fawlty Towers in the woods. "Rustic" and "budget" are not synonyms. There are other lodges and rentals in this beautiful area that offer just as much history and rusticity, but with more pleasant attitudes. read more

Highly recommend Kit Carson Lodge; we stayed during the week in the fall. The area was beautiful with leaves starting to turn, uncrowded, lovely rustic atmosphere, great food, responsive staff... and a campfire with s'mores every night! A perfect autumn get away! read more

Unfortunately, although the surroundings are beautiful, the people that run the lodge and the store are rude and unwelcoming. This is one of the most unfriendly places we have ever stopped. After purchasing items at the general store, we asked if there were restrooms close by. The rude clerk, an older woman, told us we would have to drive out to Hwy 88 and find public restrooms since we were NOT lodge guests. This was AFTER we purchased several items from the store. When we went to the lodge, we were again told we could NOT USE ANY of the facilities unless we were paying customers. My friend ordered a glass of wine ($10) just so we could use the restroom. I have never seen the like! We will NOT EVER go here or recommend it to our friends due to their inhospitable rude behavior. read more

I would give this place zero stars if I could. The location is absolutely stunning but unfortunately the management is going to run this beautiful place into the ground. They scream at their employees at the restaurant in plain sight of the customers when the place is already incredibly understaffed and the waitress is very sweet and doing a great job in my opinion. The cabins have a rodent problem that needs to be dealt with. The water isn't hot, the fuses will blow when anything is plugged into them, and for the exorbitant amount of money they charged us I would have expected a few more towels to say the least. Furthermore, the management have absolutely no customer service skills and yelled at guests at a minor misunderstanding and would not accept any attempts at diplomacy. They are incredibly rude and greedy people who don't care about anything other than money and their own pride. It seems obvious they don't actually want anyone to stay here. read more

We came across this heaven by accident, but will become regulars. The setting is idealistic with a lovely lake and surrounding mountains. There is swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and decks overlooking the scenery. The restaurant was a gourmet surprise. The people are super friendly and the prices are reasonable. Bring your own goodies, the store is not well stocked, but they have the essentials. Lots of scheduled activities including a nightly camp fire with free marshmallows. Check this out. You'll be glad you did! read more

The check in lady was rude, the boats don't work according to one guest that had to paddle all the way in when his boat gave out, no microwave or oven in a 'full kitchen', left without staying figured it could only get worse. Shallow lake and no fish. read more

We had dinner at the Lodge the night before the Death Ride. We've always loved this setting, can't get any better views. Charming, it's like a throwback you might find in Northern Midwestern states. The food is ok, and by Kirwood standards, it's on par. Decent chicken picatta, veggies were overcooked, mashed potatoes starchy. The soup was delicious. Connor, our waiter was a gem. Really the only person there, and funny, he's younger by 30 years, that had that customer service DNA. The older female waitress cracked me up, barking orders at him (he was way ahead of her), and completely stressed over 4 tables. Hilarious. She needs to go do something she likes. The older guy who didn't do much, acted like the manager also should go do something he loves. Everyone is right, not welcoming. read more

Great away from it all place , beautiful lake trees and nice cabins by the water Great food at a fair price and the waitstaff are friendly had prime rib this Saturday cooked to perfection. Rent a cabin go hiking and bring or rent a kayak many islands to explore , stayed 3 days, enjoyed every one . read more

We were on a driving trip and stopped here for the afternoon. We rented a motorboat and had a fun time on the lake. The staff was very friendly and helpful. read more

We stopped here on our way home from Tahoe. This place is gorgeous - right on the lake. It feels like you traveled several decades back in time. Tranquil, beautiful setting, and a fabulous restaurant. We will be back. read more

Stumbled upon Kit Carson Lodge while camping up at Pipi this summer...what a wonderful place! We were able to grab a cabin with an amazing view of Silver Lake for 3 weeks later (one of the last availabilities of the summer) and spent a week up there. The new owners are warm, attentive, open to feedback and want to make it a wonderful place for families to return for years. The cottage we stayed at had a great master bed, super comfy with a lovely featherbed and nice down comforter (which you need at night when you sleep with the windows open!). The food was delicious and interesting, the main lodge was a great place to meet people, hook up with others to play games, hear a violinist strut her stuff and right outside, interested folks gather for a bonfire to roast marshmellows (which the owners provide). We are definitely going back next year to spend more time kayaking on the lake and swimming on private beaches that can be easily discovered by kayak or fishing boat. Lastly, and this was a great find, we went horseback riding with Jim Hagen:http://www.defininghorsemanship.com/kirkwoodsierraoutfitters.htm He was a wonderful guide for my son and I and it was not your typical trail ride. it was 4 hours up in the mountains...it was an amazing and interesting ride. Great vacation...check both out! read more

Had an amazing cabin stay here. Met the owner at breakfast in the dining room. Really nice time. My favorite mountain region!

My wife and I, along with 2 friends, ate dinner, and then breakfast at the Kit Carson Lodge on August 13th and 14th of this year. Our dinner was overcooked, and the 2 that received soup received it semi-warm at best. The four meals were all brought out at different times and the food was not even close to being good. And if you can believe it, breakfast was worse. Not one of the 3 orders this time were correct. Eggs over easy turned into way overcooked eggs. A skillet breakfast turned into a plate of eggs and hash browns (not even close to what was described on the menu) and bacon was missing. My wife's breakfast sandwich consisted of 2 cold pieces of toast with 2 overcooked eggs inside; no cheese or ham as promised on the menu. I could keep going but you get the idea. It was possibly the worst breakfast I have ever paid for. I write this hoping the manager and/or owner will read it and fix the mess I will call the food in their restaurant. This is a great location and a beautiful spot but the food was horrible. read more

Just finished my 2nd week this summer at the lodge. Late July and Late August were both great weeks. The scenery is spectacular, every aspect of the service is outstanding. On the beach, in the lodge, in the restaurant, around the resort...the staff is always nearby and ready to extend a friendly helping hand. People make the difference and Kit Carson Lodge has the right people. My review following my first stay was deemed unreliable by YELP. Maybe I thanked too many of the staff by name....I did not know them at the start of the season,but they quickly became my new friends. Yes I now feel connected. We are retired and spend a lot of the year traveling. No where do we feel as welcome as we do at Kit Carson Lodge. To all the ACCEPTED one star ratings... check the recent cover of Sunset Magazine and see Kit Carson Lodge front and center. I already got my reservations for next year. They fill up fast Bill Peterson El Dorado Hills read more

Simple lodging, friendly staff, fun games. Easy parking. Our deck and living room had a spectacular view. The rooms are bit funky and the bathroom a bit small and the doors don't really close, but overall it's a great spot for a family getaway! I'll be back! read more

We just returned from 5 days at Kit Carson Lodge ans were sad to leave such a beautiful place. The lake is really lovely, in a glorious area with lots to do from hiking on granite, to fishing in the lake, with games and s'mores to go with. The electricity has been upgraded so you can now use a hair drier in your cabin without blowing a fuse. The paths are being redone and there now is a sweet spot for a celebration-wedding or otherwise. The owners try to hire college kids for the summer, many from Europe and Asia, which makes for an even nicer experience. Don't miss this wonderful spot with cabins from the 1930's, views to die for, and a nice hit of nature to cheers you in these dark times. read more

Food is ok. We were very disappointed that 7 of us shown up before 5pm on Sunday without a reservation, and we were NOT greeted as welcome customers ! All tables were placed a reservation sign for outdoor and indoor tables Should we go back again ?? read more

Rustic comfort comes immediately to mind. Kit Carson Lodge ("KCL")brought us right back to our childhood (50s), staying in basic cabins, where modern luxury touches aren't really what matter. The cabins and motel-style rooms completely made of knotty pine, and they are located right in the midst of Mother Nature. If what you seek are true American values - family, nature, outdoor adventures in fresh air, which when you think about it, what's really essential in life, then Kit Carson Lodge has gobs of it! What we also liked was that since it's elevation is 7,200 feet above sea level, it never got overwhelmingly hot, and at night, it really cools down. I will say, the hot sun warmed our cabin, so that in the early afternoon, it did get rather warm in the cabin. Once the sun set, things cooled down quickly. Folks normally glued to their smart phones are in for a shock! Being at KCL means actually relating to your fellow human being. Since the only wifi is by the lobby, lazy electronic geeks don't make the trip there. Instead, get outside and co-join with nature! Ping Pong, swimming, hiking, singing around night-time fire pit, etc.. That's what Kit Carson Lodge is also all about. Due to KCL's rather modest rustic way, it took us a few minutes to adjust and settle in. But within a few minutes, our basic middle class roots took over squarely eliminating our spoiled tastes for fancy luxuries, and we realized that Kit Carson Lodge is a LIVING TIME CAPSULE, and in that it is PRICELESS. The good stuff: Loads of Mother Nature right outside your door. Silver Lake is quiet, not buzzing with endless boat motor noise, and the water is CRYSTAL CLEAR! There's swimming, canoeing, and for $45 (for two hours) you can rent a small power boat. Dozens of hiking trails abound both ON the property, or from/to the property, or certainly within a few miles' drive. The rooms have decent creature comforts, Our motel-style room had wall-to-wall carpeting, the bed sheets were clean, soft and fresh, and the towels were fluffy white, abundantly sized and absorbent. A metal shower and formica-topped bathroom sink was old-ish, but the water pressure seemed steady and the hot water was abundant. The room was classic wall-to-wall (and ceiling too) knotty pine. Lighting was ample and good enough to read. The rooms were clean, but our white socks did get a little soiled underfoot, as others who use the rooms don't remove shoes upon entering. Outdoor decks are aged, and you MUST wear slippers or shoes or risk horrendous splinters! Our room ("Jeffrey") slept three and had a large tree growing right through the deck! The restaurant wait staff treated us brilliantly! Mike, Shanna, Claudia and Jay were just terrific. Service sometimes be a touch slow, but the food was delicious and portions bordered on enormous. We ordered wine and they gave us HEAVY pours! Both the whites and reds were $6-$8/glass, excellent quality and the entrees were priced fairly. Remember, this restaurant is in the middle of a National Forest. You can eat on the outdoor deck or inside in less preferred weather. For us, it was the deck! The lake has a cute beach, a small dock, but for some reason wasn't crowded. Depending on the time of year, the water can be "brisk". In late July, the water was perhaps 72 degrees. You can go in, but perhaps not for hours, but surely minutes. When you first go in, it's chilly, but before long, quite bearable. Some folks spend hours, seemingly immune to the brisk temperature of the water. The down side: Some families made noise AFTER 10 pm. While it wasn't loud, it was present. Smokers lit up in a nearby room - and once Mike (the owner) was told, he got on it right away. After all, things are dry and the forest could explode like a tinder box. (The smokers were idiots for casting their lit cigarette butts into the outdoors). There's NO SMOKING anywhere except where there's asphalt (parking lot and driveways). The cabins are anywhere from 50+ years old - and show it. Our triple-glass sliding door had 2/3 glass and 1/3 wood, as we were told a prior guest accidentally broke the plate glass window. A new replacement glass was on order, but hadn't arrived yet. Little things like Venetian blinds work, but not well. Our slider had a torn insect screen, but "Bob" the maintenance man got on it right away, and replaced it immediately. So, they try to stay on top of things. We read about how the septic system backed up last year...or earlier this year. Everything worked for us. However, the toilet seemed to slowly remove material. Bob came, snaked it, and it thereafter emptied quickly. The Forest Service regulates EVERYTHING. Building new rooms is next to impossible. The Forest Service rules are so stringent such that management practically needs permits just to change a light bulb. Well, almost. However, they keep the place as up to date as the Forest Service rules allow. read more