Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities

DESOLATION WILDERNESS

Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

The land which became 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 are was made part of the newly formed Eldorado National Forest. The are was named the Desolation Valley Primitive Area in 1931, and in 1969 Desolation Wilderness was Congressionally designated and included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This unique area now totals 63,960 acres of wilderness land which is ours to enjoy, protect, and care for. Enjoy your visit and be sure to Leave No Trace so that future generations may return to enjoy its permanent but changing beauty.

General Information

Campfires -Campfires 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. Your wilderness permit is also your campfire permit for your gas camp stove while visiting the Desolation Wilderness.

Method of Travel - Travel is restricted to horseback or foot only. All means of mechanical transportation, including bicycles, carts, and snowmobiles, are prohibited in the wilderness. Wheelchairs are allowed. Stay on trails and do not shortcut switchbacks or create parallel ruts by walking alongside the trail.

Waste - Visitors are required to bury human waste 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water, trails, and campsites. Toilet paper must be buried or packed out. Garbage must be packed out.

Group Size - Maximum group size is 12 people for both day and overnight use.

Pets - Domestic pets are allowed in the Desolation Wilderness at this time. You are responsible for their actions as well as their welfare. Pets should either be leashed or under direct voice control. Dogs can disturb other campers, get in fights with other dogs along the trail, and scare wildlife away. The Eldorado County leash laws will be enforced inside the wilderness boundary where dogs off leash are an impediment or hazard to the safety of any person, or where dogs are harassing or molesting wildlife.

Stock - Livestock is limited to two livestock per person, or 12 livestock in one group. Do not hitch, tether, or hobble a horse or other saddle or pack animal within 200 feet of a water source or within 100 feet of a campsite.

New Application Process and Dates for the Desolation Wilderness Permit Reservation System Summer 2011

Big changes are coming! To help streamline the overnight permit reservations and provide for better customer service, we are working with the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) to move the Desolation Wilderness overnight permit reservation system to a web-based program, similar to our campgrounds. The website will begin to accept reservations for Desolation on March 23, 2011. Once the website is active, Desolation Wilderness visitors wishing to reserve an overnight permit in advance will need to apply through the website or the call center provided by NRRS. Those visitors that prefer not to utilize the website or call center can make a reservation in person at a Forest Service permitting office. We will no longer accept reservations over the phone, by FAX or by mail. Tthe visitor can prepare for reserving a permit in the coming year by visiting www.recreation.gov and setting up a profile.

To view an example of what the online permit service will look like, click on the Permits section of the website, where the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and several river permit systems now have their home.
Visitors who need extra assistance for trip planning will still be able to call the Forest Service office for more information. Only 50% of the available quota in each zone during the quota season (Friday of Memorial Weekend through September 30) will be available for advanced reservation. The remaining quota will still be available for first come, first served at permit offices on the date of entry.

We will post updates as soon as details are worked out, so continue to check here for further information.

Desolation Wilderness Topics

Permits : Permits are required for both day-use and overnight camping.

Zone Quota: Because of its beauty and accessibility, Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the United States. In order to protect its unique beauty and wilderness character, human access is limited and certain activities are restricted in the Desolation.

Fees : Fees are being collected as part of the Recreation Enhancement Act. This link will give you information on the fees related to this project.

Trail Information : Information on trails, trailheads, levels of difficulty, etc.

Main Wilderness Page : Return to the main Wilderness Page

More About Desolation Wilderness

The Desolation Wilderness is managed according to the Wilderness Act of 1964 to "ensure an enduring resource of Wilderness for present and future generations." The wilderness character of the Desolation and its values of solitude, physical and mental challenge, scientific study, inspiration and primitive recreation will be protected, and where necessary, restored. Natural ecological conditions will be preserved under a concept of non-degradation, to prevent further loss of naturalness or solitude. Detailed information may be found in the Desolation Wilderness Management Guidelines and Land Management Plan Amendment.

Desolation Critters  :  Desolation Wilderness provides visitors with the opportunity to witness a diverse population of wildlife.

Desolation Geology  :  The granitic mountains of the Desolation are part of the massive Sierra batholith, the combined masses of granitic rock that have been uplifted by tectonic action to form the 400 mile long Sierra Nevada range.

Desolation History  :  The area now known as Desolation Wilderness has a long history of use by both Native Americans and European settlers.

Desolation Plant Life  :  As much of the ground surface in Desolation is bedrock granite, soils are limited. Plant life, however, has adapted and the flora is diverse.