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Desolation Wilderness Permits

Wilderness Permit

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Overview

Zone-based overnight permit for Desolation Wilderness (Eldorado National Forest), west of Lake Tahoe. 63,690 acres of granite basins and 100+ alpine lakes. 45 destination zones -- you must camp your first night in the reserved zone, then may move freely on subsequent nights. 13 trailheads including Echo Lake, Bayview, Eagle Lake, Meeks Bay, and Glen Alpine. PCT and Tahoe Rim Trail traverse the wilderness but use separate hidden thru-hike zones.

Bottom Line

Not a lottery -- rolling 6-month FCFS window, so cancellation alerts are highly effective. Popular zones (Aloha, Lake of the Woods, Velma Lakes, Dick's Lake, Eagle Lake) sell out fast on weekends, especially Jul/Aug. Many zones have very small quotas (some as low as 2-4 people), so even moderate demand fills them instantly. Midweek dates and shoulder season (late Sep, early Jun) are significantly easier. Cancellations return to availability quickly -- set alerts for specific zones and dates, then check often. The 8-day cancellation refund cutoff means permits freed up 1-2 weeks out are the most common pickups.

Quotas and Reservations

Quota season: Friday before Memorial Day through September 30. Rolling FCFS:

  • Permits release 6 months in advance of entry date
  • Opens on recreation.gov (no separate lottery application)
  • Cancellations return to the calendar for FCFS pickup
  • Permits printable starting 7 days before entry date

Off-season (Oct - late May): permits still required year-round, but no quota limits. Book and print same-day.

Quotas and Fees

  • 45 destination zones, each with its own daily quota (varies by zone, some as low as 2)
  • Max group size: 12 (many zones have quota smaller than 12)
  • $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
  • $5/adult first night, $10/adult for 2-14 nights
  • Children 12 and under: free
  • Max recreation fee $100/permit
  • Desolation Annual Pass holders: recreation fee waived ($6 reservation fee still applies)

Rules

  • Bear canisters required -- hard-sided containers mandatory for all food and scented items
  • No campfires -- camp stoves only
  • Camp 100 ft from water and trails
  • Eagle Lake, Grouse/Hemlock Lakes, and Lake of the Woods north/east shore have designated campsites only
  • Day use permits are free and separate (available at trailheads or Forest Service offices)

Cancellation Policy

  • 8+ days before entry: recreation fees refunded
  • 7 days or less: no refund
  • $6 reservation fee is never refunded
  • Changes (zone, group size, days) allowed 8+ days out for a $5 change fee

Availability