Emerald Bay State Park.
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Emerald Bay State Park in Lake Tahoe

Visiting Emerald Bay State Park is a bit of a right of passage on any trip to Lake Tahoe, and as soon as you get a first glimpse of the postcard-perfect bay with its stunning blue waters, you will see why.

Not only is the bay visually stunning, but there is so much to see and do in such a small section of the lake.

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Getting to Emerald Bay State Park

Getting to the parking lot for Emerald Bay State Park is easy. It is just a short drive from South Lake Tahoe via Highway 89. If you are driving along the highway, it is pretty much impossible to miss as signs point you in the right direction.

A wooden sign bordered by rocks for Emerald Bay State Park and Vikingsholm mansion.
One of the entrance signs.

Parking can be an issue once you have made it to the state park. The parking lot is small, so the sooner you get there, the better.

You can park at Emerald Bay State Park Lookout or at the Eagle Falls Trailhead if you’re lucky. If you’re not (we weren’t!), you’ll be parking along the side of the road the best you can.

A map of Emerald Bay State Park.
The Emerald Bay State Park area.

Emerald Bay State Park Lookouts

The impressive vista points are one of the best ways to take in the incredible scene that stretches out in front of you.

With the perfectly shaped bay, the namesake emerald waters, the rich green of the surrounding pine forest, and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains, you won’t be the first or last person to gaze in awe.

A view over Lake Tahoe, forests and mountains of Emerald Bay State Park from the lookout.
View over Lake Tahoe from the Emerald Bay Lookout.

From the lofty viewpoints above the lake, you should also be able to make out tiny Fannette Island, the lake’s only island.

Just head to either Emerald Bay State Park Lookout or Inspiration Point for the best views.

The Trail Down to The Bay

One thing to note if you are planning to visit Emerald Bay State Park in Lake Tahoe is that to reach the water; you must walk a little way down from the parking lot via the Vikingsholm Trail.

It may seem easy on the way there, but remember, you’ll be heading all the way up on the way back.

Nina hiking along a gravel path surrounded by trees and foliage on the Rubicon Trail.
A covered section of the trail.

From top to bottom, we are talking around a 400-foot elevation change for about a mile via a relatively wide dirt path.

Despite its steepness, it is a popular trail and a must-do if you want to actually get to Emerald Bay rather than just stare at it from above.

Vikingsholm Castle

It’s not every day you come across a historic mansion sitting on the edge of an alpine lake, but that’s what you get with Vikingsholm Castle, a prominent Lake Tahoe landmark.

The stone Vikingsholm Castle build in the middle of the forest with a backdrop of mountains.
Vikingsholm Castle.

The castle was built in 1929. It has an incredible architectural flare and plenty of Scandinavian influences.

In the summer months, tours of the castle are available if you are interested in learning more about its history and architecture.

You can always check out the gift shop and visitor center if you don’t want the full tour.

Kayak & Beach

If you love kayaking, you can’t leave Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe without hiring a kayak and getting out on that crystalline water.

Renting a kayak here might be a little more expensive than elsewhere on the lake ($35-45), but trust us when we say it is well worth it.

Red and yellow kayaks on a small beach on Fannette Island in the middle of Lake Tahoe with trees and bushes everywhere.
Kayakers lined up along Fannette Island.

You could spend your time just paddling around the bay area, checking out the shore and the impressive tree trunks that stick out the water, but we recommend kayaking (or SUPing) out to Fannette Island, the tiny island that sits on the bay.

Although there are a few boat trips to the island, kayaking is one of the main ways to reach it.

When you get there, you can hike up to the abandoned little tea house at the top of the hill and take some cool photos.

Tourists laying and sitting on Emerald Bay Beach with a kayak on Lake Tahoe and a forest view in the distance.
Chill days at the beach.

If you would rather chill, there is a lovely, sandy beach area with beautiful views over the bay. Because the beach is so far from the parking lot, ensure you travel light.

Trails at Emerald Bay State Park

There are three main trails at Emerald Bay State Park, and they are well worth lacing up your boots for!

1. Emerald Point Trail

Distance: 5.1 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 528 feet

See the shores of the lake at their best on the Emerald Point Trail.

You’ll start on the Vikingsholm Trail and go down to the water before heading along the bayside on the Rubicon Trail. As you walk, you’ll be accompanied by incredible bay views.

Nina hiking along a gravel pathway along the Emerald Point Trail between tall trees.
A section of the trail on the way to the lake!

The further you get from the trailhead, the fewer the crowds become, so there is a good chance you will have the untouched beauty all to yourself for some stretches.

2. Rubicon Trail

Distance: 16.4 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,339 feet

If you are up for covering a bit of distance, we recommend tackling one of the best hikes on the lake, the Rubicon Trail, which is a continuation of the hike above, all the way to D.L Bliss State Park.

Nina crossing a small wooden bridge along the Rubicon Trail besides the lake of Emerald Bay.
A lakeside section of the Rubicon Trail.

This is truly one of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe. We loved every single mile of it, although our legs hated us the next day.

It’s a very long one, at over 16 miles, but it allows you to see the entirety of Emerald Bay State Park and D.L. Bliss State Park, with vistas from all angles.

You follow a varied trail full of views, elevation changes, and plenty of nature.

Nina in hiking gear walking along the Rubicon Trail through trees and bushes with Lake Tahoe to the right.
A trail with a view!

Once you reach the cool D.L. Bliss State Park next door, you can enjoy its beaches, balancing rock, lighthouse, and campgrounds.

TIP: Depending on when you come, a shuttle may be running, so you can just hike this trail one way and get shuttled back!


READ MORE: Rubicon Trail—Lake Tahoe’s Most Worth It Hike!


3. Eagle Lake Trail

Distance: 1.8 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 429 feet

You will find one of the must-do Emerald Lake hikes across the street, the Eagle Lake Trail.

If you can’t get enough of lakeside beauty, this epic trail takes you to yet another stunning alpine lake, Eagle Lake, passing an impressive waterfall along the way.

Many tourists crossing the bridge over the top of Eagle Falls in Northern California.
Waterfall and lake views, wow!

You’ll start climbing immediately, helped via a series of stone stairs cut into the rock, and it won’t be long before you reach Eagle Falls.

Keep pushing on upwards through the forest, surrounded by towering mountain peaks.

Nina in a backpack sitting on a rock overlooking Eagle Lake which has reflections on it of the surrounding mountains and trees.
Eagle Lake is an oasis in the mountains!

Once you reach Eagle Lake, you’ll see why this is one of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe. In front of you is a stunning blue lake surrounded by mountains and green pines.

Camping at Emerald Bay State Park

If you want to stay the night in one of the most photographed areas of the lakes, we wouldn’t blame you. You have a couple of options when it comes to campgrounds.

Three empty picnic tables in the day use area of Emerald Bay while kayakers row past in the background on the lake.
Picnic area near the campsite in Emerald Bay State Park.

Both are relatively small, so not suitable for RVs, and you won’t find any hookups here either.

  • Eagle Point Campground is the most popular of the two and has two loops. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table and is nestled among the trees for a shady setting. We LOVED camping here!
  • The Emerald Bay Boat Camp has an incredibly scenic setting right on the waterfront. The only catch is that the only way to reach it is by boating in. A dock is available for mooring, and once you arrive, are 22 sites available for tents.

Read more of our guides to Lake Tahoe:

We hope this helped you plan your trip to Emerald Bay State Park!

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