Desolation Day Use Permits & Parking
Day users may obtain a free Day Use permit from the Placerville Ranger Station or may issue themselves a day use permit at most major trailheads in the summer. During the winter, day use permits are available at the Placerville Ranger Station.
- Day use is not subject to fees nor limited by quota at any time of the year.
- Permits are required year-round.
Trailhead Parking - Day Use Fee
Concession Operated (Wilderness related) Parking Areas
Facilities: Pyramid Creek, Loon Lake, Rockbound, and Twin Lakes Trailheads are under concession management by Royal Elk Park Management.
Fee: $10.00 per vehicle per day.
- ​Interagency Annual, Senior, and Access passes (America the Beautiful) - These passes DO NOT APPLY to concession operated facilities with standard amenity fees (which are typically our day use sites).
- Day Use Pass - The concession has developed its own Royal Elk Park Management Day Use pass for the facilities they operate.
- Desolation Wilderness Overnight permit holders - The fee is waived for valid overnight permit holders. Be sure to obtain or print your parking pass and properly display in your vehicle. The Pass does not guarantee parking will be available.
Forest Service Operated (Wilderness related) Parking Areas
Facilities: Eagle Falls, Carson Pass, Carson Pass Overflow and Meiss Trailheads.
Fee: $5.00 per vehicle per day.
- ​Interagency Annual, Senior, and Access passes (America the Beautiful) ALLOW the holder to park for FREE at the Eagle Falls, Carson Pass, Carson Pass Overflow and Meiss Trailheads.
- Interagency Passes do not apply to the purchase of a Wilderness permit, Fee Card or Parking Pass.
- Desolation Wilderness Overnight permit holders - The fee is waived for valid overnight permit holders. Be sure to obtain or print your parking pass and properly display in your vehicle. The Pass does not guarantee parking will be available.