Echo Lakes Association: a century of stewardship in the Echo Lakes Basin
Echo Lakes Association is a non-profit group serving the community of cabin owners and interested people surrounding Echo Lakes, located near Echo Summit in the El Dorado National Forest in California.
The Echo Lakes Association is managed by the Echo Lakes Board of Directors, elected by the members, and is a 501(C)4 California non-profit corporation.
Echo Lake Association
The Echo Lakes Association serves the community of cabins surrounding Echo Lakes, located near Echo Summit in the El Dorado National Forest in California. Most of the cabins in the Echo Basin are owned by individuals on Forest Service land under the recreational cabin program established by Congress in 1915. The Echo Lakes Association started in the early 1920’s and includes the approximately 85% of the cabins that are USFS special use permit holders and the approximately 15% of the cabins that are on private land. Together we work for the common good and general welfare of the people of the community as well as the many members of the public who visit the Basin.
This site provides services for ELA Members and Associate Members. Many articles, files and features of this site can only be viewed after an ELA member logs in. Members are those who are USFS special use permit holders or lot owners (collectively “Members”) and associated families (“Associates”). Other with affiliations with the Echo Lakes region such as frequent visitors to the region or families and guests of Members can join as Associates. Membership is not open to the general public.
Echo Lake Association
c/o 501 Hearthside Court
Roseville, CA 95747
Photography: © Chris Brown,
used by permission, all rights reserved
ChrisBrownPhotography.com
Photos above and right: © Chris Brown Photography
Echo Lakes Association – Mission & Purpose:
The specific and primary purpose of this Association is to improve, expand, and develop the facilities of the Echo Lakes Area in furtherance of the common good and general welfare of the people of the community; to better the sanitation, health, safety and fire protection facilities of the Area; to work in cooperation with the United States Forest Service (USFS) in the enforcement of all regulations of the Department of Agriculture. [ELA By-Laws]
Upcoming Echo Lake News & Events
The draft minutes of the Echo Lake Association Board of Directors Meeting, held on August 31, 2025 are attached as a PDF below. To download, print and read the Draft...
The draft minutes of the Echo Lake Association Board of Directors Meeting, held on August 3, 2025 are attached as a PDF below. To download, print and read the Draft...
The draft minutes of the Echo Lake Association Board of Directors Meeting, held on July 5th, 2025 are attached as a PDF below. To download, print and read the Draft...
Hello Echo Lakers, It’s the middle of summer and the bears are active! They’re also way too comfortable even with the presence of humans and dogs. There have been lots...
Agenda for July 5 Board Meeting The next ELA Board Meeting is Saturday July 5, 2025 at 10:am in the Chalet Meadow. All Lakers are welcome to attend and there is...
The draft minutes of the Echo Lake Association Board of Directors Meeting, held on May 24, 2025 are attached as a PDF below. To download, print and read the Draft...
The draft minutes of the Echo Lake Association Board of Directors Meeting, held on May 10, 2025 are attached as a PDF below. The Annual Meeting was held this year in...
A Special Board Meeting took place online on September 15 to discuss:• Effluent tank maintenance and relining proposals. Schedule for repairs begins this...
Echo Chalet Meadow, July 6, 2024 Bears have become habituated to humans; we need to make them afraid of us again. If you see bears near your cabin, haze them...
ELA Partners & Links
US Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Mgt
Echo Chalet:
store, cabins to rent, boat taxi, boat services…
Lake Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team
Helping our area prepare for wildfires
Tahoe Resource Conservation District
Lake Tahoe Boat Inspection Center
Info for launching boats on Echo Lake
California Fish & Wildlife
Info about fishing permits, wildlife
The National Forest Homeowners Association is a valuable resource for USFS permittees and their families. NFHA is a nonprofit organization that provides vital news about legislation and concerns, has negotiated cabin insurance options and has a website full of pertinent news for our members. Membership is low-cost and of value to ELA membership.