Echo Chalet Camping Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 4, 2025
Echo Chalet, near South Lake Tahoe, offers access to both established campsites (nearby at designated Forest Service campgrounds) and dispersed backcountry camping in Desolation Wilderness (permit required).
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Summary
No camping at Echo Chalet itself. Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays; reserve online via Recreation.gov. Fees apply for permits and nearby campgrounds. Amenities vary by site—forest campgrounds offer pit toilets, water, fire rings, picnic tables; no RV hookups. The area features alpine lakes, granite peaks, and forested landscapes. Popular trails include Pacific Crest Trail and Lake Aloha hike. Best time to visit: July–September. Peaceful, scenic, and ideal for backpackers and nature lovers seeking high-alpine beauty.
Nearby Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations |
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Echo Chalet
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Tahoe Valley Campground
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Lovers Leap Campground
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Showers Lake
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Fallen Leaf Campground
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Fallen Leaf
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Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Camping Essential Practices
Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
Know Before You Go
Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
Minimize Campfire Impact
Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
Leave What You Find
Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Related Links
Nearby Snowpack Depths
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NOHRSC ECHO PEAK
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ECHO PEAK
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NOHRSC HAGAN'S MEADOW SNOTEL
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HAGAN'S MEADOW
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1" |
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FALLEN LEAF LAKE
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FALLEN LEAF
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River Runs
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Headwaters In Sec 7, T11N, R18E To Blair Bridge
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Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
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State Highway 50 To 1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50
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1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50 To Avalanche Lake
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Headwaters In Sec 15,T10N, R17E To Confluence With Silver Fork Of American River
Lake Valley State Recreation Area
Wilderness Desolation
Little League Fields
Parks & Recreation Complex
Bijou Community Park
Fallen Leaf Lake
Lake Aloha
Sylvia Lake
Lyons Lake
Cascade Lake