calipeaks.com

Loon Lake to Buck Island Lake

El Dorado · Managed by Eldorado National Forest (USFS) · Region: Desolation Wilderness
Difficulty /100 · out and back#alpine-lakes#desolation#rubicon#granite
Distance
12.2 mi
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Buck Island Lake is the Rubicon country's classic lake camp: a 6.1-mile walk from Loon Lake past the reservoir's granite shore into the Desolation backcountry, ending at a lake with a genuine island. Quieter than the Tahoe-side trails and just as alpine.

Highlights

  • Buck Island Lake's island and granite benches
  • Loon Lake's reservoir shoreline on the approach
  • Access to the Rubicon Reservoir and Rockbound country for longer trips
  • Fishing in Buck Island's clear water

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Loon Lake Trailhead · parking: Loon Lake boat ramp parking at the end of the road
  • Water: The Rubicon River inlet and Buck Island Lake; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; South Lake Tahoe and Placerville are an hour away.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Eldorado National Forest (USFS)
  • Reserve or apply on recreation.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quotas apply for overnight entry during quota season.
  • Reservation window: Reserve via recreation.gov; some quota is released two weeks out.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Fires are restricted forest-wide in the Eldorado during high fire danger — check current restrictions before your trip. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Usually snow-free by early July.

Heat: Pleasant in the granite country.

Bugs: Mosquitoes at the lake through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The trailhead fills early on summer weekends — carpool
  • Mosquitoes at the lake through July
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. Desolation Wilderness Trails & Trailheads — Loon Lake. Eldorado National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/wilderness/desolation-wilderness-trails-trailheads. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Loon Lake trailhead destination distances: Buck Island Lake 6.1 mi, Rockbound Lake 6.7 mi, Rubicon Reservoir 8.3 mi.
  2. Desolation Wilderness Permit. Recreation.gov / U.S. Forest Service. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233261. Accessed 2026-09-07. Overnight permit reservations for Desolation Wilderness entry zones.
  3. Desolation Wilderness Food and Refuse Storage Restriction. Eldorado National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/eldorado/alerts/desolation-wilderness-food-and-refuse-storage-restriction. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Bear-resistant food storage requirement in Desolation Wilderness.