Desolation Wilderness and its baron and rugged nature has such a rich history. Once called the Devils Basin this 63, 000 acre Wilderness preserve has been home to the Washoe Indians, Gold miners, Cattleman and Tourists looking to escape.

As a Volunteer in Desolation we find this area of the Sierra one of the most dramatic landscapes to explore. This guide is a broad overview of facts you need to know in Desolation, but also a collection of our adventure trip reviews to help you find your next great adventure.

The draw to this granite bowl of a universe is an endless landscape of granite and crystal clear pools of water that cascade together through variety of peaks and valleys. The rushing water seemly carving its way in every direction, some feeding Lake Tahoe and others cascading towards Sacramento.

In the Late 18oo’s the first dam was constructed at Lake aloha and soon after many more dams would be constructed to create better water flow and fishing habitats  for the sierra Nevada and the California water system.

In 1931 congress finally designated this as a roadless primitive area and in 1969, the 63,690 acres of the Desolation was incorporated into the National Wilderness Preservation System and became Desolation Wilderness. Today desolation wilderness is one of the most visited Wilderness areas in the United States.

Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

General Info / Facts

Campfires –Campfires are prohibited in Desolation Wilderness to reduce human-caused fires, impacts to vegetation from firewood collection, and to reduce the visual impacts of fire rings and surface scarring. Your wilderness permit is also your campfire permit for your gas camp stove while visiting the Desolation Wilderness.

Method of Travel – Travel is restricted to horseback or foot only. All means of mechanical transportation, including bicycles, carts, and snowmobiles, are prohibited in the wilderness. Wheelchairs are allowed. Stay on trails and do not shortcut switchbacks or create parallel ruts by walking alongside the trail.

Waste – Visitors are required to bury human waste 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water, trails, and campsites. Toilet paper must be buried or packed out. Garbage must be packed out.

Group Size – Maximum group size is 12 people for both day and overnight use.

Pets – Domestic pets are allowed in the Desolation Wilderness at this time. You are responsible for their actions as well as their welfare. Pets should either be leashed or under direct voice control. Dogs can disturb other campers, get in fights with other dogs along the trail, and scare wildlife away. The Eldorado County leash laws will be enforced inside the wilderness boundary where dogs off leash are an impediment or hazard to the safety of any person, or where dogs are harassing or molesting wildlife.