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Twin Lakes to Island Lake

El Dorado · Managed by Eldorado National Forest (USFS) · Region: Desolation Wilderness
Difficulty /100 · out and back#alpine-lakes#desolation#beginner-friendly#fishing
Distance
7 mi
Days
1–2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Island Lake is Desolation's answer to a quick overnight: a 3.5-mile walk from the Twin Lakes trailhead to a lake with a genuine island, sitting in a forested bowl on the wilderness's northern edge. Short enough to carry a beginner's pack, close enough for a spontaneous weekend.

Highlights

  • A lake with an actual island, close to the trailhead
  • One of the shortest overnight approaches in Desolation
  • Quiet forest camping away from the Tahoe-side crowds
  • Twin Lakes and Grouse Lake as nearby alternates

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Twin Lakes Trailhead · parking: Twin Lakes trailhead, north of Wrights Lake on the Crystal Basin road network
  • Water: Twin Lakes and Island Lake; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Wrights Lake and Ice House areas have services nearby.
  • 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 at 7,900 feet.

Bugs: Moderate at the lakes through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The Crystal Basin roads are slow — allow drive time from Sacramento
  • Mosquitoes at the lakes 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 — Twin Lakes. 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). Twin Lakes trailhead destination distances: Grouse Lake 2.1 mi, Twin Lakes 3.0 mi, Island Lake 3.5 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.