Reservations for overnight camping in the wilderness may be made no more than 90 days in advance of your entrance date and are only needed during the quota season, from June 15 through Labor Day. Reservation and Camping fees are now assessed for overnight permits, day-use permits remain FREE. The fees collected help the Forest Service pay for the management and conservation of this special wilderness area. Reservations and Camping FeesĪs part of the National Recreation Area Fee Demonstration Program, Desolation is one of 47 Forest Service test areas. Contact the Eldorado Information Center for reservations. Reservations may be made over the phone, mail or in person. These trailheads include Echo, Glen Alpine and Twin Bridges. Some of the more popular trailheads fill up quickly during July and August. Likewise, a permit issued for entrance at one trailhead cannot be used at another. The permit is not valid for entry on Saturday since the quota is based on date of entry. If a permit has been issued for Friday, permittees must enter on Friday.
The other 50% are issued on the actual day of entry on a first-come, first-serve basis. These numbers help maintain the "wilderness experience" that most people are seeking.įor overnight users, 50% of the quota permits may be reserved up to 90 days in advance. There is a limit of 15 people per permit. The quota is based upon the number of people, the date and particular point of entry.
#Fallen leaf campground reservations portable#
Use portable gas stoves only! The Quota Systemīecause Desolation Wilderness is an extremely popular area and receives very heavy use during the summer months, it has been necessary to impose a quota for overnight use from June 15 through Labor Day. Open campfires are prohibited in Desolation Wilderness. Overnight users must register and pay fees at our office in South Lake Tahoe or at the Eldorado Information Center in Camino. The following trailheads do not have self-registration: Van Vleck, Lyons, Ralston and General Creek - so permits must be obtained in person.
#Fallen leaf campground reservations free#
Day users may issue themselves a free wilderness permit from any of the east-side trailheads. This is a valuable resource for anyone who spends time camping around Lake Tahoe.All visitors into Desolation Wilderness must have a wilderness permit. I was so pleased to receive a review copy and look forward to trip planning with this by my side. There are no maps but when I’m planning a trip, I find it convenient to have the book in front of me while I research the campground online so I can find maps and search for availability. Nearby restaurants, grocery stores and attractions are listed. I plan my first night’s elevation carefully to maximize acclimatization. For me, the elevation information is critically important as I am susceptible to altitude sickness above 10,000 feet if I don’t acclimate properly. At the beginning of each section, an overall description of the campground is provided with such information as whether reservations are taken, contact details, presence of bear boxes and flush toilets, whether dogs are allowed, number of campsites and whether cell service is available. There’s a handy index of campgrounds in the back while the table of contents lists the geographic area and a list of campgrounds in each. There are a lot of campgrounds around Lake Tahoe and the thickness of the book reflects that at a hefty 650 pages. It’s also helpful that they give a realistic description of how many tents will fit and whether it’s better for tents or motorized vehicles. Privacy ratings are provided for the campsite as well as the driveway and the approximate length of the driveway is provided (very helpful for RVers). The descriptions of each site are rich in detail about what you’ll see from the site, whether it’s a road, grove of trees or river view. Compared to the peace of the backcountry, I am often dismayed by the lack of privacy in campgrounds so for me, this is the most valuable resource I have found to selecting a good site for the night before a backpacking trip. I found their other book, “ Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Camping with Privacy,” to be very helpful when planning backpacking trips for the Sierra Club or personal trips. With Lake Tahoe Camping With Privacy: Your Guide To The Most Private Campsites Near Tahoe, Truckee, Sly Park, Union Valley Reservoir, And Beyond, the Wilke’s have added to their collection of information about private campsites in the Sierra.