Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities

Desolation Wilderness

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.

Fees

Fees are being collected as part of the Recreation Enhancement Act. These revenues have helped to increase the level of wilderness ranger patrol, have contributed to an increase in trail maintenance, signing, site clean-up and restoration, and have made possible other wilderness conservation and education projects.

FEE SCHEDULE:

• RESERVATION FEES: $6.00 per party/per permit (non-refundable). Permit fees are paid at time of reservation. The new on-line service will allow wilderness visitors to make their reservations any time of the day seven days per week. A call center will be available to assist with reservations daily from 7 AM – 9 PM in the summer and 7 AM to 7 PM in the winter.
• OVERNIGHT WILDERNESS PERMIT FEE: $5.00 per person for one night, $10.00 per person for two or more nights up to 14 days (non-refundable). The cost of a single permit will not exceed $100.00. Children 12 and under are free. Golden passes do not apply to personal use permits.
  • Pre-Paid Fee Card: You can pre-pay your permit fees by purchasing this card for $20.00. The card covers only the overnight permit fee and is valid for one year from date of purchase. You must still obtain a permit in person, subject to quota limits.
• SERVICE CHARGE: $5.00 for any change to the date or zone of your reservation or permit or for adding people. No fee for cancellations.
• DAY USE FEE: Currently, only the Eagle Falls parking area on Highway 89 and the Pyramid Creek Parking area at Twin Bridges on Highway 50 have fees. $5 per vehicle per day. (This fee is waived for overnight permit holders. Be sure to obtain your parking pass, which exempts you from this fee when you pick up your overnight permit.)
  • Forest Day Use Pass - A $20.00 Parking Pass is available, valid at the facilities listed below where a parking fee is required. This Pass is valid for one year from purchase date. Facilities include: Eagle Falls and Pyramid Creek trailheads, and Dru Barner Day Use Area year-round (as long as the facility is open). From May through October for Woods Lake, Carson Pass, and Meiss parking areas. (These are sno-parks during the winter.) Pass must be displayed in car window to be valid.
• INTERAGENCY ANNUAL, ACCESS, and SENIOR PASSPORTS: These Passes do not apply to the purchase of personal use permits or the purchase of the fee card for day use areas. Those folks with an Interagency or the older Golden Passes do not need to purchase a separate pass, as your displayed Interagency Pass provides free access to the Trailheads with use fees.
• RELATED INFORMATION: Tahoe Rim trail hikers that are hiking the whole loop are required to have a permit and are subject to fees. As of May 30, the Basin has decided to not incorporate these permits into the qouta as long as the use is minimal. Use will be monitored and if it becomes significant then they will be incorporated into the qouta next season. Shorter hikes using the Desolation portion of the PCT/TRT are considered Desolation permits and are part of the qouta.

HOW WILL THE FEES BE USED?

The fees collected and retained under this pilot project would be used for the following projects and purposes:

• Restoration of heavily impacted camping areas and lake basins.
• Improving trail maintenance, including catching up on backlogged trail maintenance, and ensuring early logging-out of trails.
• Maintaining and improving trailheads, including signing, garbage, toilet and parking facilities.
• Enhancing maintenance and protection of the wilderness through increased presence by wilderness rangers.
• Enhancing the wilderness education program, including hiring additional staff to provide "Leave No Trace" information to visitors at high use trailheads and visitor centers.