Reservation5/10
General Creek cancellations
Overnight permit for the General Creek zone in Desolation Wilderness, Lake Tahoe...
Walk-UpOvernightModerate Demand
Desolation Wilderness Permit — Buck Island
Buck Island is one of the trailheads you enter Desolation Wilderness from, in the Lake Tahoe area. The permit is issued by the zone you camp in on your first night, not by the trailhead you start at, so nothing is sold under this name.
How to get Buck Island
Buck Island is an entry point, not something Recreation.gov sells, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in and watch that instead. The Forest Service publishes the zone list, the per-zone quotas and the walk-in offices on its permit page.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get Buck Island
Buck Island is an entry point, not something Recreation.gov sells, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in and watch that instead. The Forest Service publishes the zone list, the per-zone quotas and the walk-in offices on its permit page.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
Start a plan — it's free
No permit needed to start
Buck Island Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand LevelModerate5/10
This permit is not bookable online
Buck Island is an entry point, not something Recreation.gov sells, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in and watch that instead. The Forest Service publishes the zone list, the per-zone quotas and the walk-in offices on its permit page.
Official permit page →Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand Level5/10
LocationCA
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
⛅
67°
48°
Sun
☀️
57°
43°
Mon
☁️
71°
40°
Tue
☁️
70°
46°
Wed
☁️
71°
45°
Thu
☀️
73°
47°
Fri
☀️
77°
50°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
How this permit is issued
Buck Island is an entry point, not something Recreation.gov sells, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in and watch that instead. The Forest Service publishes the zone list, the per-zone quotas and the walk-in offices on its permit page.
2
Check the agency page before you go
Fees, hours and closures change. Confirm the current process at U.S. Forest Service before your trip.
3
Have backup plans
Office hours move, ground closes, and popular trailheads get busy. Know an alternative route or date before you drive out.
Learn More
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Buck Island
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Buck Island.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Buck Island FAQ
How do I get a Buck Island permit?
Buck Island is not sold online. Buck Island is an entry point, not something Recreation.gov sells, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in and watch that instead. The Forest Service publishes the zone list, the per-zone quotas and the walk-in offices on its permit page. PermitSnag does not send alerts for it — check the official permit page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit Buck Island?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Buck Island permit?
This permit has a demand score of 5/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Buck Island permit?
On this permit there is no cancellation queue and no alert to set, because nothing is re-released onto a calendar we could watch. Bring backup dates, and check the official permit page for the current process and any closures.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Buck Island.
Trip Reports
Write Report🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Buck Island trip
A small favor
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Add PermitSnag in Google
Takes less than a minute.