11 Camper Flat

Desolation Wilderness · California

11 Camper Flat is a zone permit for Desolation Wilderness - one of several entry-point quotas that controls overnight use across the wilderness. With a demand score of 13/100, Camper Flat sits near the low end of the range; most dates stay bookable well past opening day, making it a practical option when higher-demand zones like 33 Aloha or 32 Twin are already gone. Permits are first-come-first-served with no lottery: First-come-first-served: each entry date's zone quota opens 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific (rolling window, no lottery, no later drop). Quota season is roughly the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 (recreation.gov's grid can start a couple of days earlier - 2026 runs May 20 – Sep 30). Off-season, permits are still required (and still bought on recreation.gov) but have no quota - they never sell out. Dogs are allowed.

When permits are released

First-come-first-served: each entry date's zone quota opens 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific (rolling window, no lottery, no later drop). Quota season is roughly the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 (recreation.gov's grid can start a couple of days earlier - 2026 runs May 20 – Sep 30). Off-season, permits are still required (and still bought on recreation.gov) but have no quota - they never sell out.

Demand

Easy to get (13/100)

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this area.

Popular trails nearby

Frequently asked questions

When do 11 Camper Flat permits open?

First-come-first-served: each entry date's zone quota opens 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific (rolling window, no lottery, no later drop). Quota season is roughly the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 (recreation.gov's grid can start a couple of days earlier - 2026 runs May 20 – Sep 30). Off-season, permits are still required (and still bought on recreation.gov) but have no quota - they never sell out. The quota season runs May 20, 2026 through September 30, 2026. Off-season dates are also bookable on recreation.gov with no quota - they never sell out.

How competitive is 11 Camper Flat?

Not very - demand is 13/100, and odds are good - most dates stay bookable. Compared to high-pressure zones like 33 Aloha or 34 Susie, Camper Flat sees light competition. If you're flexible on exact dates, you'll likely find availability without scrambling at the six-month opening window.

What if my dates are sold out?

Cancellations do happen. Check back on recreation.gov - quota slots released by other hikers can appear at any time. You can also look at lower-demand neighbors like 09 Highland or 10 Lelands, which show similarly light competition. Permit Ranger's alerts can notify you if a date opens up.

Are dogs allowed on this permit?

Yes, dogs are allowed with a 11 Camper Flat permit.

Do I need a permit in the off-season?

Yes. Desolation Wilderness requires permits year-round. Outside the quota season, there's no daily limit, so permits never sell out - but you still must purchase one on recreation.gov before entering.

Nearby passes

Book on recreation.gov · All Desolation Wilderness passes · Desolation Wilderness permit guide