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U.S. Forest Service · CA

Desolation Wilderness

Year-round overnight permits for Desolation Wilderness southwest of Lake Tahoe, with limited destination-zone reservations during the high-use season.

Permit requiredovernightItinerary dependent
Access requirement

3 ways to get a permit

Rolling six-month reservationsTimed release

Reservable from six months to one day before entry. Trip window: 2026-05-22 → 2026-09-30.

Apply on official siteVerified · Jul 26, 2026Available this season
Off-season permitFirst-come

No limited-inventory reservation window is shown for this date; confirm current pickup or print instructions on the official source before you go. Trip window: 2026-01-01 → 2026-05-21.

Apply on official siteVerified · Jul 26, 2026Season ended
Off-season permitFirst-come

No limited-inventory reservation window is shown for this date; confirm current pickup or print instructions on the official source before you go. Trip window: 2026-10-01 → 2026-12-31.

Apply on official siteVerified · Jul 26, 2026Available this season
Permit rules
QuotaOvernight permits are required year-round. Daily destination-zone limits apply from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through September 30; outside that season, overnight permits are still required but zone quotas are not in effect.
GroupGroup size limits apply; permits cover the listed group only.
Fees$5 per person for one night, $10 per person for 2-14 nights; children 12 and under free.
TransferPermit holder rules are enforced by the forest.
SafetyGranite terrain holds snow into early summer; afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.

FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND

4.4 miles away · CA · 208 sites

5 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 257Aug 269Aug 2714Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 3027Aug 3124
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

Badgers Den at Camp Richardson Resort

5.0 miles away · CA · 84 sites

5 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 2565Aug 2665Aug 2763Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 3056Aug 3172
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

Eagles Nest at Camp Richardson Resort

5.0 miles away · CA · 31 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 2528Aug 2630Aug 2725Aug 281Aug 291Aug 3027Aug 3131
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

RV Village Campground at Camp Richardson Resort

5.0 miles away · CA · 98 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 2536Aug 2639Aug 2735Aug 285Aug 294Aug 3054Aug 3168
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site