Recreational Activities
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Wilderness Areas
Wilderness Areas Around Lake Tahoe
The Wilderness Act of 1964 states that Wilderness is to be "protected and
managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and [is an area] which...has
outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of
recreation...."
As a visitor to our Wilderness, you have the opportunity to experience
solitude and nature in its most wild state, to enjoy spectacular scenery, and to
hike, cross-country ski, ride horseback, or enjoy other outdoor activities.
These attractions and easy access from urban areas draw thousands of people to
our Wildernesses each year.
A Wilderness is an area where natural processes take precedent; a place where
nature remains substantially unchanged by human use. You will find nature on its
own terms; there are no buildings or roads. Travel in the wilderness is
restricted to hikers and packstock. No motorized, mechanized, or wheeled
equipment such as bicycles, motorcycles, snowmobiles or game carts are allowed.
Rugged trails provide the only access, and hazards such as high stream crossings
and sudden stormy weather may be encountered at any time. These are all part of
a wilderness experience.
One Roadless Area and four Wilderness Areas are located in or near the Lake Tahoe
Basin. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit manages Meiss Country Roadless Area and shares management duties of
Desolation Wilderness with the El Dorado National Forest and the Mt Rose
Wilderness with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. For more information
on these national treasures check out the following information:
Desolation Wilderness
The most heavily used wilderness area per acre in the United States.
This wilderness is managed jointly by the LTBMU
and the El Dorado National Forest. It contains 63,960 acres of subalpine forests, glacial lakes and valleys,
and granite peaks. Day hikers and overnight users must obtain
permits. Please learn
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Mokelumne Wilderness
This wilderness is just south of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Mokelumne
Wilderness is a 105,165 acre wilderness that is jointly managed by the
El Dorado, Stanislaus, and Toiyabe National Forests. Permits are
required for overnight hiking
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Granite Chief Wilderness
This wilderness overlooks the northwest portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin
and is adjacent to the Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley Ski Resorts on the
Tahoe National Forest. This 25,680 acre wilderness is not as crowded as
Desolation and hikers are not required to have wilderness permits at this
time
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Mount Rose Wilderness
One of the nation's newest designated wilderness areas and Mt Rose
Wilderness is located in the extreme northeastern portion of the Lake Tahoe
Basin This wilderness lies on both the Lake Tahoe Basin Management
Unit and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
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Meiss Country Roadless Area
Meiss Country is not a true "wilderness", but is considered a roadless area. Not all "wilderness" rules and regulations
are applicable in Meiss Country. Questions? Please contact us.
This is another spectacular area for exploring. Meiss Country is a great
alternative to the designated wilderness area's in the Lake Tahoe Basin, this 20 square mile area between Luther Pass (Hwy.
89) and Carson Pass (Hwy. 88) contains 6 major lakes in a glacial sub-alpine
zone
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