Desolation Wilderness

DESOLATION WILDERNESS

Desolation Wilderness Area Day & Overnight Use Permits

Permits are required year-round for both day and overnight use. There are fees for overnight camping year-round.

Group size is limited to 12 people per party who will be hiking or camping together.

Day users may obtain a free permit from one of the following offices, or may issue themselves a permit at most major trailheads in the summer. During the winter, day permits are available at the Pacific Ranger Station. Day use is not subject to fees nor limited by quota at any time of the year.

QUOTA - During the summer a Quota is in effect on the number of people allowed into the wilderness. Refer to the Zone Quota page for more information.

OVERNIGHT USERS -- Must register in person and pay fees at one of the following offices. Please make every effort to to obtain your permit in person during business hours. Reserved permits are now mailed. Changes must be made in person and require the original permit to be turned in.

Pick up permits for WEST side entry at the:

PACIFIC RANGER DISTRICT
Located four miles east of Pollock Pines on Highway 50.
7887 Highway 50, Pollock Pines, CA 95726
Phone: (530) 644-6048
Winter: Weekdays only. Monday through Saturday as of April 1st.
Summer: 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through October.

Pick up permit for EAST side entry at the:

LAKE TAHOE VISITOR'S CENTER
Located three miles north of the Highway 50/89 junction at South Lake Tahoe, on Highway 89.
Call for hours, phone: (530) 543-2674
Open summer only.

LAKE TAHOE BASIN MANAGEMENT UNIT
35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
Phone: (530) 543-2600

Located two miles east of Highway 50/89 junction in South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50. From the highway turn right on Al Tahoe Blvd. and then turn right at first signal.

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.

The Above information is subject to changes and possible inaccuracies. Check directly with the United States Forest Service for the latest, most accurate information on rules, regulations, permits, safety, etc.

NOTE: Most of the material for the Desolation Wilderness section was provided by United States Forest Service. All original material that appear on this page (text, graphics, photos, etc.) are copyrighted by Digital Renaissance Multimedia.

B ack to top