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Desolation Wilderness Permit — Dicks Pass wilderness permit area in Desolation Wilderness - backcountry hiking destination
Walk-UpOvernightHigh Demand

Desolation Wilderness Permit — Dicks Pass

Desolation Wilderness

Desolation Wilderness overnight trips near Dicks Pass, Lake Tahoe area. Desolation permits are issued by the zone you camp in on your first night, and no zone carries this name.

How to get Dicks Pass

Desolation Wilderness permits are issued by destination zone, and no zone carries this name, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in. The Forest Service publishes the zone list, the per-zone quotas and the walk-in offices on its permit page.

Official permit page

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Dicks Pass Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand LevelHigh7/10

This permit is not bookable online

Desolation Wilderness permits are issued by destination zone, and no zone carries this name, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in. 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 Level7/10
LocationCA

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

☁️

69°

52°

Sun

☁️

69°

50°

Mon

🌫️

83°

47°

Tue

🌫️

84°

48°

Wed

☀️

80°

49°

Thu

☀️

80°

56°

Fri

☀️

78°

53°

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

Desolation Wilderness permits are issued by destination zone, and no zone carries this name, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in. 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

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Dicks Pass.

🐻

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Dicks Pass FAQ

How do I get a Dicks Pass permit?

Dicks Pass is not sold online. Desolation Wilderness permits are issued by destination zone, and no zone carries this name, so there is nothing here for us to watch. Pick the zone you will spend your first night in. 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 Dicks Pass?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Dicks Pass permit?

This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and reading the official permit page for how this one is issued.

What if I can't get a Dicks Pass 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

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