Connecting our Community
The Echo Lakes Association is a dedicated non-profit organization serving cabin owners and association members with essential communications, environmental stewardship, and community advocacy.
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.
Latest Updates & Community News
Annual Dues Due Now
Expert tips on winterizing your cabin and staying safe during the cold season while maintaining community standards.
Click here to renew
2026 Annual Meeting
The ELA Annual Meeting is planned for May 2026. We will send out an email with details when things are finalized.
Report Bear Incidents
Help us collect data on bear damage to our cabins. Our goal is to be have numbers to compare data collected by others such as CDFW and the Forest service.
ELA Partners
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.