Desolation Wilderness

Beautiful place and $5 parking. Easy access to the water falls

TOP RATED - Highly recommend this lovely boutique hotel, just opened in August 2022. The staff and management are incredibly friendly and helpful. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated. Great location within walking distance to beautiful Lake Tahoe and to all the main tourist attractions including restaurants, shops, entertainment, etc. in the Heavenly Tahoe area. A wonderful restaurant Maggies is conveniently located in the hotel with a wonderful menu, the octopus appetizer is delicious. They also have a full service bar with a big screen TV.
Looking forward to our next visit.

I've always loved the Desolation Wilderness. The easy access and the spectacular scenery of mountain lakes and granite peaks makes this my favorite destination in the Tahoe basin.
And if you head out on a hike more than half a day from the road access points, you can usually find some solitude. And once you are a day away, it becomes more like real wilderness.
The hike up Horsetail Falls is an amazing day hike and can be the start of exploring the south eastern lakes for several days.

Rubicon trail from Lake Tahoe impresses with lush meadows, old growh, alpine lakes, and a challenging river crossing (laye June).

Two nights and ~20 miles of pristine alpine lakes and stunning granite peaks, backpacking in Desolation Wilderness reminded me the blessing of living in CA. Be sure to wear a comfortable hiking boots with good arch support as most of the trails are hard granite. Echo Lake -> Lake Aloha -> Dick’s Lake -> Bayview

It's totally worth the hike. It's not for beginners. Don't go unless you got water and snack. It will be a long day! This hoke hurts but is worth it. You hike straight up.

My favorite place for backpacking. Clear lakes, few people after hours, and gorgeous views. You'll need a cheap permit for overnighting, but it's well worth it.

Great workout, views, and well maintained trails

Great view of Emerald Bay. Amazing waterfall, obviously super busy during the summer months.

Beautiful hikes all around. Waterfalls are great photography opportunities.

Super fun short hike. Walk in the park if you've done the likes of Mt Whitney. Scenic, bucolic until you get to Lake Aloha, desolation factor 10+

One of the best places for backpacking in lake Tahoe

Great little hike to the Lake.

Stunning views, recover d you honestly to avoid the crowds and it’s easier to find parking.

Pretty desolate for a national forest, really. Mostly just rocks, some plants, and pristine placid lakes. If you're into that sort of thing. I heard a hiker got thrown off a cliff for stacking rocks away from the trail.

This was the bar none absolute best camping trip I ever been on in my life as far as actually hiking in with some fishing poles, tents, sleeping bag, clothes, map and, a little bit of food for the pupose of communing with nature goes.
What was there we left (except the fish), what we brought came out with us, I went rock climbing up the side of a waterfall!
When I got older camping became more about cooking & drinking outside rather than inside..... this place is for real camping which is a very different thing that I always rather enjoyed.

Awesome things too see. Something here for beginners to the most hardcore.. You can spend years hiking through here. You can also get lost and die rather quickly if you get off a trail and aren't prepared... There are tons of lakes to fish. And tons of mountains to climb. Just plan ahead.

An absolutely beautiful stretch of mountainous land. Composed primarily of granite it is full of lakes and unmatched scenery. Perfect for hiking, backpacking and camping.

Great place for backpacking. GPS recommended as trails are hard to follow at times, especially if there is still snow on the ground.

Massive remote and stunning wilderness hiking and camping. Lots of active bears