How to get in01 pathPermit
Desolation Wilderness
Lake Tahoe’s heavily used granite wilderness — overnight zones use a quota on Recreation.gov with a rolling six-month release, not a single lottery day.
Overnight · Multi-day
HikeCampModeratePhysical effort · Estimate
Moderate — A solid outing — fitness helps, but it is not alpine epics.
Granite basins and lake hopping; popular zones still mean real overnight miles.
Editorial estimate of the typical trip — not lottery hardness, and not an Official agency grade.
Photo by Dylan Taylor
Good fitOvernight backpackers who will watch the rolling six-month release and pick a first-night zone.
Usually notDay hikers who only need a free self-issue day permit, or anyone expecting a winter-style lottery.
Permit type
Overnight Zone Quota
How you get in
No % yet
Agency has not published odds
First-come rolling inventory, not a lottery — no Official overall success %. Bear canister required; campfires prohibited year-round (Official).
When to apply
Rolling six-month overnight release
Official timing
During quota season (Friday before Memorial Day through September 30), overnight permits for 45 destination zones release on a rolling six-month window on Recreation.gov — typically daily at 7:00 a.m. Pacific for the date six months out. About 70% reservable online; ~30% walk-up same day (Official USFS / Rec.gov).
We checked 2026-09-23
The managing agency (and Recreation.gov when the product lives there) is authoritative for dates, fees, and whether registration is open. We summarize — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
If you miss this window, try these instead:
- Same-day walk-up overnight at Placerville Ranger Station or LTBMU Supervisor’s Office
- Day-use self-issue permits (free) when you do not camp overnight
Backup options
Nearby or alternate ways in if these draws miss.
- Walk-up / same-day overnight share (~30%) at Placerville or LTBMU offices
- Shoulder dates outside quota season
- Same-day walk-up overnight at Placerville Ranger Station or LTBMU Supervisor’s Office
- Day-use self-issue permits (free) when you do not camp overnight
Field notes
All field notesPlaybooks for the confusing parts of applying — not live calendars.
Dates, group rules, a backup, entry day — the apply checklist is under Before you go
The managing agency (and Recreation.gov when the product lives there) is authoritative for dates, fees, and whether registration is open. We summarize — always confirm on the official page before you apply. Rec.gov permit 233261 (Eldorado NF). Quota season roughly Friday before Memorial Day through September 30; overnight inventory releases rolling six months ahead (Official USFS / Rec.gov). About Official / Estimate / Not confirmed yet