With numerous alpine lakes, scenic waterfalls, and towering granite peaks, Desolation Wilderness offers serious adventure for summer trips with your dog. This 63,690-acre area sits west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County, straddling the Sierra Nevada crest with elevations ranging from 6,500 feet to nearly 10,000 feet. What you’ll experience is varied terrain—some steep, some more moderate—that rewards the effort with genuinely stunning scenery.

Lake Aloha stands out as a highlight. Its shallow, crystal-clear waters sit in a wide granite basin carved by glaciers, and the setting feels remote without being unreachable. The Crystal Range dominates views, with Pyramid Peak at 9,987 feet providing dramatic photography subjects. Horsetail Falls cascades nearly 500 feet down the granite, and it’s one of many waterfalls throughout the wilderness where you can stop to let your dog cool off.

The area has an interesting history. Originally designated as the Desolation Valley Primitive Area in 1931, it received official wilderness status in 1969 and has since become one of the most visited areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Summer brings the biggest crowds, but experienced backcountry skiers and snowshoers use the region in winter when conditions allow.

Your dog needs to stay leashed throughout, and you should contact the local ranger district before heading out to confirm current pet policies and any seasonal trail restrictions. Pack significantly more water than you think you’ll need—the high elevation and granite terrain offer little shade and no water sources you can safely rely on. Bring snacks for both you and your dog, since amenities are nonexistent once you’re in. The exposure and elevation changes mean this isn’t ideal for very young, elderly, or out-of-shape dogs, but fit dogs generally handle the alpine environment well. Start early in the day so you have daylight to navigate back to your car.