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Wilderness Areas Around Lake Tahoe
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Five Wilderness Areas are located in or near the Lake Tahoe Basin.
This page contains a brief write up on each area. If you would like more
detailed information about that wilderness area, you can follow the links within
each description, or select the wilderness area of your choice from the map at
the bottom of this page.
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- Desolation Wilderness is the most heavily
used wilderness area per acre in the United States. It contains 63,960 acres of
subalpine forests, glacial lakes and valleys, and granite peaks. A portion of
the Pacific Crest Trail/Tahoe Rim Trail passes through the area. As in all
wilderness areas, travel is limited to foot or horseback access. Mountain bikes
are not allowed. All persons entering Desolation must obtain a wilderness permit
all year-round. Day hikers may self-register at the trailheads, but overnight
users must obtain the permits (fee charged) in person. Since
Desolation is so popular, a wilderness permit quota system is in place for
overnight campers. You can make a reservation for overnight permits. Fees are
charged for both reservations and camping. Please see the
Desolation Wilderness page for current information on fees, making
reservations, and obtaining permits. Campfires are prohibited.
- Mokelumne Wilderness is located between
Highway 88 to the north and Highway 4 to the south. This wilderness is just
south of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Mokelumne Wilderness is a 105,165 acre
wilderness that is jointly managed by the Eldorado, Stanislaus, and Toiyabe
National Forests. Permits are required for overnight hiking. Wood fires are
prohibited and allowed in other areas. For the Mokelumne
Wilderness day hikes accessible from HWY 88, please see our
Mokelumne Wilderness page. For day hikes in other parts of the Wilderness
and for overnight hiking information, follow these links to either the
Eldorado
or Stanislaus
National Forests.
- Granite Chief Wilderness overlooks the
northwest portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin and is adjacent to the Alpine Meadows
and Squaw Valley Ski Resorts on the Tahoe National Forest. This 25,680 acre
wilderness is not as crowded as Desolation and hikers are not required to have
wilderness permits at this time. Campfires are allowed with a current California
campfire permit. Some camping restrictions are in effect in the Five Lakes
Basin and along portions of Five Lakes Creek to protect fragile resources.
Please see the
Granite
Chief Wilderness page for current information.
- Mount Rose Wilderness is
one of the nation's newest designated wilderness areas and is located in the
extreme northeastern portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin This wilderness lies on
both the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Access to this scenic area can be obtained from the Mt. Rose Hwy. (Hwy 431).
Wilderness permits are not required. Campfires are allowed with a current
campfire permit. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
- Meiss Country is another spectacular area
for exploring. Though not designated a wilderness by Congress, this 20 square
mile area between Luther Pass (Hwy. 89) and Carson Pass (Hwy. 88) contains 6
major lakes in a glacial sub-alpine zone. Hikers, equestrians, and mountain
bikes are allowed (mountain bikes are not allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail).
California campfire permits are required. Please see the
Meiss
Country page for additional information.
Map of Wilderness Areas
You can select a wilderness by clicking on the map below.
This will take you to a page or different web site containing more detailed
information about that wilderness.
Leave No Trace
Wilderness areas can provide breathtaking vistas and quiet
solitude. They are special places that require special behavior from each of us.
Regulations alone will never guarantee protection of these special places, that
will come only with your understanding of what not to do when visiting. Please
learn more about
Wilderness Ethics.
 Information
presented on this WWW page is considered public information
and is provided as a public service by the USDA Forest Service.
URL:
http://www.tahoesbest.com/Camping/wilderness_areas.htm
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