Find Your Path in the Desolation Wilderness

Just west of South Lake Tahoe lies the Desolation Wilderness and more than 63,000 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes ready and waiting for you to explore. 

Whether just for the day or overnight, the Desolation Wilderness provides visitors with a way to experience solitude and appreciate the area's natural beauty. Enjoy your visit and be sure to Leave No Trace so that future generations may return to enjoy its permanent yet ever-changing beauty.

“Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grass and the gentians of glacier meadows, in craggy garden nooks.” - John Muir

Visit for the Day

A short break along Eagle Lake trail. Photo by Elena Simcox

All it takes is four easy steps to start your next adventure in the Desolation Wilderness. After your day of adventuring, be sure to refill at one of South Lake Tahoe’s many eateries and rest up at your choice of lodging options before restarting your expedition.

Step 1: Plan

Parking is limited so plan to arrive at the trailhead early enough to secure a parking spot. Pyramid Creek & Eagle Falls trailheads require a day-use fee for parking.

Pro tip: Set a departure and turnaround time to ensure a safe return to the trailhead before dark.

Step 2: Prepare

Plan your trip from start to finish at home and be sure to tell someone where you’re going, when you’ll return, and who to call in case of an emergency. A little bit of planning ahead of time can make things easier in case your trip doesn’t work out as planned.

Don’t forget to check the weather forecast and be prepared for unexpected changes in weather.

Step 3: Pack

Chances are you won’t find many amenities while exploring the Desolation Wilderness, so we suggest bringing everything you’ll need for your trip. GARBAGE MUST BE PACKED OUT. Leave with everything you brought in and used.

Here are some essential that we suggest every day user brings:

Step 4: Permit

Day visit permits for the Desolation Wilderness are free! Obtain a permit from the green box located at the trailhead or at one of the ranger stations. Be sure to read all the regulations on the permit, sign it, and display it prominently on your pack. Before you go, fill out the bottom portion, tear it off, and deposit it in the box at the trailhead.

Camp Overnight

What does your dream camping site look like? Chances are you’ll find it in Desolation Wilderness. Photo by cahwy89

Step 1: Choose Your Destination

Kind of like those “choose your own adventure” books where you flip to page 37 to continue exploring the forest, the Desolation Wilderness is all about the choices you make. To preserve the primitive character and provide opportunities for solitude, Desolation Wilderness is divided into 45 zones with each zone offering unique and different opportunities. Based on these qualities, each zone has been assigned a maximum number of overnight campers per day during the quota season.

Step 2: Get Your Permit

There are two ways to get your permit, online at recreation.gov or in-person at a ranger station. Here are some tips for using Recreation.gov to book online permits for overnight camping.

Step 3: Be Prepared

Plan your trip from start to finish at home. Tell someone when you’re going, when you’ll return, and who to call in case of an emergency. Be sure to check the weather forecast and be prepared for sudden weather changes.

Step 4: Pack

Chances are you won’t find many amenities while exploring the Desolation Wilderness so we suggest bringing everything you’ll need for your trip. GARBAGE MUST BE PACKED OUT. Leave with everything you brought in and used.

Bear canisters are needed for all overnight visits to Desolation Wilderness.

Starting July 18, all overnight visitors going into Desolation Wilderness will need to have bear canisters for all food and scented items. Forest Service order No. 03-22-11 s needed to protect the Tahoe bears. They must be approved canisters designed to prevent access by bears. Bears are extremely active in the Lake Tahoe Basin, especially on the west side. Bear canisters are essential for protecting your food, gear, and our Tahoe bears. This Forest Service order isn't just for this summer. It is in effect until July 17, 2025.

Here are some essentials that we suggest every overnight user brings:

Step 5: Hike

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail or Tahoe Rim Trail? Check out these sites for more information.

Pacific Crest Trail

Tahoe Rim Trail

Step 6: Select a Proper Campsite

Be sure to select a campsite on a durable surface that is at least 200 feet from water, 100 feet from waste, and be sure to bury human or pet waste at least 6 to 8 inches deep. 

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in Desolation Wilderness to reduce human-caused fires, impacts to vegetation from firewood collection, and to reduce the visual impacts of fire rings and surface scarring. 

Wilderness Permits include a campfire permit for propane appliances with an on/off valve.

Preserve Wilderness

Your actions big or small can have a significant impact. Photo by roadship.enterprise

Consider, adopt, and practice these ethics in the wilderness.

Leave No Trace

Please become familiar with and practice Leave No Trace skills such as:

  1. Plan ahead and prepare
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of your waste properly
  4. Respect wildlife
  5. Be considerate of other visitors
  6. Respect wildfire restrictions and be fire-safe at all times.

Bears and Food Storage

The most efficient and worry-free way to store your food is in a bear canister. Canisters are available for free rental at ranger stations and have a storage capacity of 10 liters. Store food when you aren’t preparing or eating it, the scent can attract bears and other animals. In addition to food and cooking items, store garbage and scented toiletries in your bear canister or hang.

Be sure to store your bear canister or hang at least 100 feet from your camping area.

Fish

Fishing is permitted in Desolation Wilderness. California fishing licenses are required year round and the normal rules and regulations apply within the wilderness. Check the Department of Fish and Game website for regulations and stocking information.

Tips For Travel

A warm winter hike in Desolation Wilderness. Photo by Brian Loring.

Plan your trip based on the person in your group who has the least skills, physical conditioning, or endurance. A physically fit hiker can generally hike a mile on an easy/moderate trail in 30 minutes. Double that for children and the less fit members of your group.

Do your best to stay on established trails: It’s the best way to avoid causing erosion, widening trails, and trampling sensitive trailside vegetation. 

Don’t cut switchbacks: It’s not safe, and erodes slopes quickly.

Bring a friend: If you must go solo, stick to frequently used trails and advise someone of your itinerary and planned return.

Interactive Visitor Map

History

Looking out into Desolation Wilderness from the South Shore. Photo by pvfog1962.

The land which became the Desolation Wilderness was part of the Lake Tahoe Forest Reserve established in 1899. In 1910, when the first tourists were beginning to make their way over the narrow dirt roads of Echo and Donner summits, the area was made part of the newly formed Eldorado National Forest. In 1931, the area was named the Desolation Valley Primitive Area and in 1969 Desolation Wilderness was Congressionally designated and included in the National Wilderness Preservatino System. This unique area now totals 63,960 acres of wilderness land wich is our to enjoy, protect, and care for. Enjoy your visit and be sure to Leave No Trace so that future generations may return toenjoys its permanent but changing beauty.

To learn more about the history of Lake Tahoe and its people, click here.

Volunteer Program

Desolation Wilderness can use yoru help! The Forest Service is looking for dedicated volunteers who love the outdoor and talking with people and who are dedicated to preserving our nation’s most pristine natural wilderness!

Click here to learn more about volunteering.

Exit mobile version