Sheosar Lake Campground — Deosai National Park

Sheosar Lake sits dead-center on the Deosai Plains at roughly 13,500 ft — one of the highest lakes in the world and the beating heart of Deosai National Park. The Pakistan Wildlife Department maintains a small established camping area on the western shore with basic pit toilets and a park ranger checkpoint nearby. Expect raw high-altitude conditions: thin air, bone-cold nights even in July, and wind that’ll test every stake you’ve got. The lake views are absurd — mirror-flat water backed by rolling tundra and snow-capped ridges. Brown bears are genuinely active here; store food properly and don’t leave kit out overnight.

Access from Skardu is roughly 60 km on a gravel and dirt road passable by high-clearance 4WD from late May through September when snow permits. The road to Astore continues west from here. No fuel, no cell signal, no resupply on the plateau — arrive self-sufficient. Park entry fees apply at the Skardu gate; verify current rates with the Wildlife Department before entry.

13,500 ft glacial lake camp in brown bear country.