Wrights Lake
- Status
- Campground closed for 2026; trailheads open
- Elevation
- 7,000 ft
- Motors
- None allowed, gas or electric
- Launch
- Ramp and dock for paddle craft
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Camping
- Restrooms
About this lake
Wrights Lake sits at 7,000 feet in the Eldorado National Forest, on the edge of the Desolation Wilderness.
On the water
Motors of any kind, gas or electric, are not allowed. The lake has a boat ramp and boarding dock for non-motorized boats. Swimming and fishing are listed.
Camping
Wrights Lake Campground has 67 sites plus 15 equestrian sites, reserved through Recreation.gov ($36 single, $72 double; $10 for day use and trailheads). It has drinking water, vault toilets and bear boxes, and runs from late June through October. The campground closed for the 2026 season, but trailheads and trailhead parking stay open. Hiking into the Desolation Wilderness needs a permit.
Getting there & access
Getting there
From Placerville, drive 23 miles east on Highway 50, 11 miles north on Ice House Road, 9 miles east on the Wrights Lake Tie Road (32), then 2 miles north on Wrights Lake Road (4).
Golden mussels
The Forest Service asks every boater to clean, drain and dry boats, trailers and gear, never drain bilge or ballast into the lake, and check the lake's launching rules before visiting. California also requires a Mussel Fee Sticker on motorized boats used in fresh water.
- Campground
- 67 sites + 15 equestrian, $36/night
- Ranger district
- (530) 644-2324
What's here
Kayaking
Non-motorized boating; ramp and boarding dock
Swimming
Swimming
Fishing
Lake fishing
Camping
Wrights Lake Campground (Recreation.gov)
Trails
Trailheads into the Desolation Wilderness
Restrooms
Vault toilets; drinking water
Rules & official resources
- Motors of any kind, gas or electric, are not allowed; maximum stay 14 days per district per yearfs.usda.gov ↗
- The Forest Service asks boaters to clean, drain and dry boats and gear and to contact each lake's managing agency for its launching and inspection rules before visiting; it lists no inspection station for this lakefs.usda.gov ↗
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