Desolation Wilderness Facts

• 1969 Desolation became a designated wilderness.  It was known as Desolation Valley Primitive Area.
• Desolation Wilderness is managed jointly between the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the El Dorado National Forest.
• 15 trail heads 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.
• Over 120,000 visitors anually.
• Heaviest used wilderness for its size.
• One of the most studied wilderness areas in the country.
• 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.
• Campfire ban in 1990.