Desolation Wilderness Facts

• In 1969, Desolation became a designated wilderness. It had been known as Desolation Valley Primitive Area.
• Desolation Wilderness is managed jointly between the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the El Dorado National Forest.
• Fifteen trailheads go into Desolation, 6 on Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit side and 9 on the El Dorado National Forest side.
• Trailhead use in the Lake Tahoe Basin, from heaviest to least use: Eagle Falls, Glen Alpine, Echo Lakes, Tallac, Bayview, and Meeks.
• Desolation Wilderness is 99 square miles, or 63,960 acres.
• Desolation has more than 120,000 visitors annually.
• It is the most heavily used wilderness for its size.
• Desolation is one of the most studied wilderness areas in the United States.
• Access permits/Wilderness permits were started in 1997 just to enter the Desolation Wilderness for either day or overnight trips.
• In 1997, a fee was imposed for overnight camping. The day hike permit was free.
• Campfires were banned in 1990.
• Bear canisters were required as of 2022.