Disappointment Lake is an Alpine lake located in the John Muir Wilderness, which is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The lake is found by following the Hell for Sure Trail, which continues up to Hell for Sure Lake and Hell for Sure Pass. Mount Hutton can be found approximately 1.35 mi (2.17 km) to the southeast and Red Mountain can be found approximately 1.13 mi (1.82 km) to the northeast.

Disappointment Lake is part of the Red Mountain basin of which there are a few lakes including Hell for Sure Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Devil's Punchbowl.