Emerald Bay State Park

Came here for the first time last week and it was breathtakingly beautiful. A couple things to note... Parking in the actual parking lot is impossible. It felt like the Griffith Observatory. We ended up parking about a mile away and make the walk a long the road, which was kinda dicey. The hike down to the bay is easy enough and beautiful. The hike up is a bit tough. I saw the reviews on here saying that and they were right. It's definitely a challenge, especially after we had spent 2 hours kayaking. I'm not saying this to deter anyone, as the actual experience of this place was worth it. Once you hike down there's some on viking house to look at, though it's got scaffolding around it and a fence around it. There's a smallish beach to play on, and then there's the water craft rentals, which we did two 2 person kayaks. I'll say it's a magical place and despite the hike and parking situation, well worth the time and effort

There are so many great spots in Lake Tahoe, but this one is a must! I took the trail down to Vikingsholm. The way down was easy, but coming back up was definitely a bit of a challenge since I’m not a big fan of hiking. However, even as a beginner, I found the trail totally doable. Parking is limited for sure. We got there at 9am, and we took the last one (lucky me!).

You MUST stop at this beautiful lake during the daytime! The lake was amazing and we loved the waterfalls and trails they had in order to see the lake! The water was like glass, so completely clear, a good amount of parking spots. They did have a good viewing area as well with more parking and space for views. Overall, if you are looking for amazing water and views, go here. A must visit!

Amazing views and gorgeous water. Great campsite, very clean bathrooms and showers. The rangers are very helpful and sites are well maintained. Don't forget to get the shower tokens $1/3 minutes. Short walk to Rubicon Trail to Vikingsholm (2-3 miles each way). It's about a 1/2 mile walk to the beach from Lower Eagle point. We stay safe and near the shallows/shores if paddling/kayaking (there are lots of boats/waves and we checked winds best under 4mph earlier in the morning) Nice vibe, peaceful, convenient and also amazing stargazing. Saw 2 bears, so listen to the rangers and put everything in the bear boxes. This place is a paradise!

Very nice view. Picturesque. Nice trail going down to the lake. Water is cool but can swim in these month of July. Plenty of activities to try if you have your own boat or kayak or jet ski. If not you can rent. Nice place to relax and reflect or simply think about nothing, haha! very relaxing.

Great spot to hike and kayak. Beautiful scenery. Paid parking. Very busy parking lot which fills up quickly. Usually a Line for kayak so plan accordingly. Can rent for one to two hours. For extra charge they do have waterproof duffel that can hold 3-4 pairs of shoes, purse, etc ($5). House is open for paid guided tour. Information center has historical video and books well worth the time. Hike the extra trail to see the waterfalls.

Great views from the North side of Lake Tahoe. The lake is as beautiful as seen on posters and other advertisements. More importantly, it is very clean and has not YET been ruined or totally damaged by the Southern California (LA) crowd.

There is parking that fills up early all year long! Great hiking trails to eagle lake and beyond!! A 1 1/2 mile hike down to emerald bay where u can enjoy the beach or rent a kayak and head to the tea house. I brought my paddle board and explored the coast and the tea house

Great short hike from the small parking lot with great scenic views. The overlook is worth it even if you don't hike down. The hike down isn't bad, but can feel steep incline back up. The parking lot has pota-bathrooms and the parking is pay per hour or by day. Probably account for two hours to hike down and get photos--although it's possible for an hour if you move fast and limit views and photos. Fun to touch the water, as it is so still and so freezing cold. What are you waiting for? Go get your next desktop wallpaper photo! Safe Travels!

Emerald Bay State Park is an excellent spot to park at if you're looking to do some hiking in Tahoe. Starting with a decent sized paid parking lot, you'll get a great view of Fannette Island situated in Lake Tahoe. Without even needing to hike anywhere, you'll be able to get some beautiful shots right at the parking lot/visitor's center. From the entrance of the park you can get access to Rubikon Trail through either Vikingsholm Trail, as well Lower Eagles Fall Trail, which is a short 2.5-mile hike. Rubikon Trail itself is a 4-mile hike which goes along the edge of the lake. Although the lot itself is a decent size, it does fill up fast during busy seasons so make sure to get here early. There are some limited parking along Hwy 89, but several areas are marked with "No Parking" signs so be sure to keep an eye out as they do ticket. Park rangers are stationed at the parking lot and visitor's center, so feel free to stop by to ask for directions and/or grab a free map.

Photo opportunities at every turn, this incredible bay in Lake Tahoe is a must see. This is a National Landmark. Emerald Bay State Park has huge granite peaks and excellent hiking trails. The best way to soak it in is hoofing it on the Eagle Falls Vista Point Loop and/or Rubicon Trail. In the summer months, tour the Vikingsholm Castle. This one of a kind Scandinavian architecture landmark has a really interesting history. If you are an adventurer, jump into the cool Lake Tahoe water. Kayaking or scuba diving are excellent options. Parking at Emerald Bay is limited. Seriously, arrive EARLY to snag a spot..

2 nights at the lake in late September and emerald bay/ inspiration point was definitely on our short list of must do. Beautiful view but finding parking can be tricky. Obviously avoid weekends if possible. We didnt come early enough and no parking to be had the parking lot near the castle was closed, which was unfortunate. The weather was chilly and really cold at night but we brought layers and jackets. This was decent time of year to visit since kids are in school and less people. The forest is evergreens so fall colors aren't an issue. There are a few little waterfall in that area. I think one was eagle falls. We hiked there but was getting dark and we are old outta shape so didnt go all the way to top. Was lossing light fast.

We recently took a boat ride into Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe and it was a great experience. The day was beautiful with clear skies and such perfect weather. Since it was the weekend, it was quite busy with a lot of other boats around and so many visitors. The water was crystal clear and calm, making the ride very enjoyable. One thing to keep in mind is that the Harbor Patrol is very active in the area, so be sure to follow all rules and regulations. Overall, it was a fun and relaxing day on the water, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a nice trip to Emerald Bay.

The view is gorgeous, though the parking lot is still covered by heavy snow and ice. We parked the car on a roadside parking area, walk around those stones, the view is breathtaking.

Amazing place to go and relax for a day or two. The hike around the bay was exceptional and highly recommend it.

Super gorgeous, tons of hiking with well craved out paths, a couple of bathrooms along the way.

Oh Em Jolly Ms. Molly, this place is gorgeous. Road was closed cuz of the snow, so we had to snap our photos from the road up top, but man, the water is beautiful! It's nice to get TF outta the city every once in awhile and head out into Nature. It's even better if you can swing it on a Weekday, when the masses are trapped in their 9-5s! My boss was like, "What?! Another day off! That's the 10st time in the last 10 days!" and I'm all, "That's right baby, you work for ME!" (Steve, if you're reading this: this is totally facetious and I'll be back in the office on Monday. Plz don't fire me. I love you.)

We got here early in the day and had the pleasure of enjoying this tremendous destination without too much traffic. Gorgeous views! Pristine blue lake! Awesome hiking! This is a not to be missed experience. The road is twisty but it's all worth it just to experience this beautiful place! We can't wait to be back!

Lovely park situated well above Lake Tahoe so you can get soaring views of the land and lake below. Beautiful place to see the layout of the land. Also there are several interesting hikes.

I'm learning that most of the parks around Lake Tahoe are closed for the season to vehicles, but you can enter by foot. The medium size parking lot for Emerald Bay State Park is right off of the road and open for cars, though it is icy. Because it was Nov, there were spots open to park even in early afternoon. You can walk across some icy surfaces to get to some nice vistas and vantage points. You can also hike down to Vikings Home, but can't do it in this weather unless you have ice cleats. The Emerald Bay Visitor Center is close to Vikingsholm, but the road down is closed to vehicles for the season. The views were, giving a nice view of emerald bay (a small inlet of Lake Tahoe). You can also see the small island (Fannette Island), which seems like is accessible in the summer via kayak. To get there, you would take 89 from South Lake Tahoe. The drive has some beautiful (and absolutely frightening for someone with acrophobia) views of the lake...there is even an area where are almost floating across the lake with no barriers on either side. Slippery roads would absolutely be a safety disaster, so thinking the road would be closed after any major snowfalls. Learned some nice reasons to try to come back to this area in the summer.

On a late October fall morning, my husband and I brought our two dogs and pretty much enjoyed Emerald Bay State Park all to ourselves. It was a little bit chillier that day, and passed most of the tourist season, which is the best time to experience Emerald Bay. There was plenty of parking and, as you can see from the multiple photographs, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. If you are going to visit, perhaps, during one of the busier times of year, I would highly recommend getting up early to beat the rush.

I enjoyed the hike down, although be ready for uphill on the way back. I saw people happily bringing coolers and waterboards down, and also saw people struggling to carry those same items back up. Pack light! Think small backpacks. Speaking of, parking at the top fills up QUICK. You might find yourself having to park along the side of the road, possibly far away, my only negative for the review. The beach below is great. A good vibe on the weekend, with boats in the water and people having a good time. There are restrooms (no running water) and a drinking fountain nearby. The fountain is by Vikingsholm, not the restrooms, FYI. If you put in a little extra work, there's an amazing waterfall a short hike away. The souvenir shop at the bottom was cool. Nice knickknacks. I got a magnet, coffee mug, and book. Overall, a great visit. Would like to return someday.

Great hikes & views. Went on Thanksgiving Day, parking is very limited so I would suggest getting there early.

A scenic point of Tahoe. It's very beautiful and serene.you have few meters of rocky hikes to see this view. Their is eagle fall just right to it which is beautiful . Parking is tough and it's paid one. A must visit place

The drive up to Emerald Bay from our hotel was very spectacular and scenic. I recommend arriving early as it was difficult to find parking along Emerald Bay Road. We decided to do the hike to Eagle Lake, which took around an hour or so to complete. The hike was a relatively short 2 mile round trip with less than 500 ft in elevation gain. However, the high altitude and uneven terrain could make this a more challenging hike for some visitors. The views that await you at the lake are stunning and well worth it. I really enjoyed my experience here.

Friday June 17, 2021. What do you do if you are at the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot in the middle of the day with no openings? 55 vehicles can park at the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot, with a $10 parking permit, obtainable at the automated kiosk, open 10am - 5pm .  $72 fine for vehicles not displaying a parking permit.   No parking on either side of the road within 1000 feet of the parking lot.  21 parking spaces in the overflow road parking area near the 25 parking space Eagle Lake Parking lot south of the parking area.   Parking north of the Vikingsholm parking lot is dangerous, as you have to walk a quarter mile on an elevated 2 lane highway with no sidewalks. Porta potties at the top parking lot, and pit toilets at the bottom.  1 mile hike down the service road leading to the mansion.  How many houses you know with a mile long driveway? Come here too late with all the parking spots taken? Drive south a mile to the entrance to Emerald Bay State Park on the left. Pass through the Upper Eagle Point Campground.     Lot of cheapskates park outside the Emerald Bay State Park, adding 1 mile each way to the hike to the castle.  We paid the $10 daily state park entry fee, to help the state pay the unemployed. Just like at Yosemite, don't throw away that receipt as need to post it on the inside of your windshield and to exit.   Parked in the dirt parking lot with a handful of other cars.  Wore a hat, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and carried hiking poles. Changed into my $12 Big 5 Sporting Goods special high top hiking boots.   Waited for the wife to use the flush toilets at Eagle Point visitor center, the last flush toilets she would see during our hike.   Went through the amphitheater to the Rubicon trail.  1.8 mile hike on a dirt trail, up and down, through the forests north to the castle.  Good thing I was wearing hiking boots, as occasionally stubbed my toes on tree roots and half buried stones.   Hiked alongside Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, with close up views of Fannette Island, the vandalized square stone tea house of 1928 on top of the island, along the way.  The mountains in the background overlooking the deep blue lake would be shrouded in smoke and haze by late July, 2021. Many encounters with fellow hikers, coming both ways. Even encountered a few hikers with dogs, even though dogs prohibited on state park trails.   No rangers to give them citations. Reaching the castle area, we hiked a quarter mile up steep rocky stairs to Lower Eagle Falls, checked out the roaring falls in June.   Stopped by the Vikingsholm mansion, reopened for $15 tours Memorial Day 2021, after being closed the entire 2020 season Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pit toilets only at  the castle.  Beach was full of people who had paid $10 to park in the paved castle parking lot, on top of the ridge, a 1 mile hike from the castle.     Hiked back to Upper Eagle Point Campground visitor dirt parking lot, midday now with about 30 vehicles, but still many vacancies, while wife took advantage of the flush restrooms.     Nowadays in late August 2021, all vehicles covered with ash from the forest fires. Lots of openings even mid day, as not too many Mercedes Benz, Audi, BMW nor Tesla SUVs in the gravel parking lot. They probably waited hours to park at the paved Vikingsholm parking lot, as didn't want to get their luxury SUVs dirty parking here.

I wish we had more time to explore! The hike from Vikingsholm was full of stunning views and you are treated with a day at the beach. We did also drive the camp ground area and plan to stay there next time.

One of the most magical places in the world! Absolutely stunning Want to move to Tahoe just to be there

Emerald Bay State Park Monday June 14.. less than 24 hours till pandemic restrictions & mask mandates are lifted, what an exciting time! Blue waters, blue skies, & an emerald green coast.. what can be better than that! Spectacular views. People gathering at Inspiration Point taking selfies and photos of the Emerald Bay. Walking the winding path road alongside the waters, observing the lake , taking in its beauty.. fantastic! The air is crisp and clean, the skies resembling the lake in competing for almost transparent yet deeply saturated color.. how could that be? Serenity now. Heavenly place. I did not have the time to complete the challenging Vikingsholm hike or the Eagle Falls - nor did I have the ability, having hurt my Achilles in unfortunate stair incident during my stay in north Tahoe. Plan to return to the area and spend the day. Drove down south from Squaw Valley, took highway 89 via Tahoe City and down along the shore, with detours Tahoe Pines, Tahoma, Homewood, to Eagle Falls Trailhead. Then to Inspiration Point where Bayview Trailhead is. Phenomenal drive! Breathtaking vistas from the park looking out down to Emerald Bay. I will visit again at first opportunity! Paesaggi mozzafiato!

Picturesque park with hiking, water sports, and even a castle. There's very limited parking at the Emerald Bay Beach lot ($10 to park) so either get here early or park along the highway and walk. When we got there at 9:30am on a Saturday, the lot there as well as at the Eagle falls trailhead were already full, so we had to park about a mile up and walk down. It's a mile long walk downhill to get to the beach / Rubicon Trail / Vikingsholm Castle. There's a visitor center where you can buy tickets for a tour of the Vikingsholm Castle or use the public restrooms. There are picnic tables at the beach. There is a kayak rental place that's first-come, first serve (they offer single and double kayaks for an hour or all-day basis). The water was super cold and there weren't a lot of people swimming when we went. We also went down the rubicon trail for a short while, which was paved and flat. There was a good amount of shade at that trail but you should wear sunglasses because the sun was very strong. It's an extremely short walk to check out the lower falls from the parking lot. There are benches along the emerald bay beach trail for you to rest should you need to. Overall, the park is great for a variety of activities, for all ages.

Wow this place is so beautiful! My man and I did a day trip up here from the Bay Area and got here fairly early (9:30am). We wanted to park at the Vikingsholm lot but sure enough it was already full by that time. We found parking on the street and since it was still pretty early the walk wasn't bad at all. It's a mile hike all downhill and in the shade to access the beach. While the hike wasn't bad going down, it was somewhat tiring going back up; please be mindful of this if you have little ones. Additionally, this hike doesn't make this beach very ADA accessible nor too stroller accessible fyi. There are a few picnic tables around the beach but we just set up on the sand. While we were there we went to Kayak Tahoe to rent a kayak to go out to the island. It was soo cool to not only kayak there but to explore the island! There's a little castle at the top which was fun to take pictures at. At the end of our day, we walked around the bend past Vikingsholm to check out the bottom of Eagle Falls. This was maybe .3 mile walk if that. All in all, there's so much to do here it was an amazing and fun packed day trip!

I've seen hundreds of Tik toks, instagrams, Pinterest post about the famous Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe. Let me tell you the views and water etc. live up to its name. Let's start out with the drive up to get to emerald bay. If your afraid of heights than close your eyes going up. At one point you're at the top of the mountain on two way road, with no bumpers on either side. On the left you see Cascade Lake and to the right you see emerald bay. It's pretty scary, but also really beautiful. It's a hike down which isn't too bad. Just make sure you pack as light as possible so you can hike more trails to eagle falls, hang out by the lake etc. Now the hike back up is do-able just might have to take break or two if you bring a lot of stuff since it's all up hill. We brought our two seadoo on the trip. From what I found there is only one launch ramp near by and it closes by 4:30 so that sucked a little. But if you can bring your boat it would be so worth it. So much to see on Lake Tahoe. Below you'll see photos, but let me tell you these photos don't do justice.

One of the most majestic places on earth. I believe it's one of the most photographed spots in the United States. I can definitely see why! The view is breathtaking and you can hear the water rushing down from a nearby water fall as well! A must hike if you are visiting Tahoe.

We wanted to go site seeing. We decided to go to Emerald Bay, since we've read a lot of great reviews. Sure enough, this place is really nice. It's a perfect view from the highway. There are a couple of hiking trails near by. The trails are nice and it has mini waterfalls. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture. If you're going there to go site seeing, I suggest to go on a weekday. The weekends are too busy and it's really hard to find parking.

Kinda scary to drive up here with all the narrow, twisty roads, but it was well worth it! Parking is limited so you have to either arrive early or wait for someone to leave. $3 for one hour. $10 for the entire day. I recommend paying $10 if you plan on hiking around the area. Some people didn't pay and ended up getting a ticket on their wind shield. Difficult to find parking on the side of the road since many signs say "Do not park here." I highly recommend visiting the area if you are in Lake Tahoe. Absolutely breathtaking! The ocean is so blue that my coworker thought I photoshopped the color. Impossible since I don't know how to use Photoshop. No hike needed to get to the area. All you need to do is to park and then walk over. Easy peasy.

First trip to Lake Tahoe and had to visit Emerald Bay State Park. I saw signs that we were in bear territory and was hoping we'd drive past one. It didn't happen. We drove a mile north to Inspiration Point and took more amazing photos from an areal view. It was absolutely stunning. Would love to bring my family here next time!

Only one star because there is no parking available. Thousands of cars had to park along the road during Memorial Day. Yet thousands of visitors visited the bay to help the economy but California State gave out thousand's of citations. Why didn't state build enough parking space? State issued thousands of citations on a special holiday to visitors were really unwelcome.

This spot is sooo serene and beautiful. We made a decision to do a mini family road trip and have always come to Tahoe in the winter for snow but summer is really just as beautiful. The outlook point definitely makes you feel like you almost somewhat escaped covid. Most people have their masks on and almost everyone social distanced but we're sure traveling isn't as crowded as before and we appreciated the time we had taking mother nature in with all her glory here! It's lush and peaceful. Great hiking trails and even biking trails all offered within a few miles of Emerald Bay State Park. We'll for sure come back not just during the winter but next summer possibly as well!

Such a good view from Vista Point especially during sunset! Go close to Eagle Falls and you will be in for a treat!

This place is beautiful especially during the fall season. It's best to hike while still young. It's an easy hike probably for the youth. But, if I will give a timeline, somebody that is in their 70s would have to be really fit to make it up and down the hill in time before the sun sets. There's no street lights, so don't get stuck there- 4pm is the limit. There's ample table you can picnic. Vikingholms Castle Tour is close, but able to take pictures. Restroom available only down the hill. Must be able to withstand severe unwanted smell to use. It's like a structured portable potty. This is a wonderful lifetime experience. It's a must see. Full of different colors and beautiful nature both trees and chirping birds. Roads to Emerald can be dangerous at night and during winter. Some roads do not have protective rails/borders. Must be able to focus to make it to the scenic sites. 11-6-2020

This place is so beautiful and a great place to hike! Parking here is scarce so come early or try to find some parking on the side of the road. On weekends, it can be super busy and there will be traffic getting in and out of the parking lots. The hike itself starts at the Vikingsholm parking lot and down to Emerald Bay waterfront. The Path is easy and well-paved. The air is nice and cool so it's a great time for everyone!

Great view! Covered in snow! Almost missed it but saw a bunch of vehicles alone the way.

We went for a quick summer trip to Tahoe for the first time and this State Park is a must. Parking is really tough so best to go there on a weekday and early. We parked on the side of the street and had to walk. They are very strict and issue parking tickets. Bring lots of water as it is very tough on your way up. Hydration and resting are helpful. It is also a great idea to pack lunch for a quick picnic at the beach At the bottom you'll find Vikingsholm (facility is closed and not open to public) and the beach. However you won't be able to go to the small island in the middle from here. A boat or jet ski rental is necessary.

Beautiful trail for visitors wishing to get the perfect combination of water, land, and mountain. Once you get to the Emerald Bay State Park trailhead, it's only about a 20-30 minute walk (probably faster depending on your pace) or a 1-mile hike down. The trail is wide enough to be able to socially distance and maintain 6-feet away from other hikers, and has very graduate incline. Honestly, this is a good beginner's trail. Once you have reached the mountain, there is a little area known as the Vikingshome. It was closed during when we visited, but it looked cute and adorable. not entirely sure it'd be a main reason of visiting, but it's a nice little botnus. Come early, maybe close to sun-rise. There is very limited parking. You can park on the white lines, but steer clear of the areas with 'No Parking' signs, since they DO ticket. If you arrive late, anticipate adding an additional 3-40 minutes to find parking and to walk towards the beginning of the trailhead.

Came here with my partner around 2pm last Monday, 02/14 and was able to park on the side of the road but had to wait awhile. We hiked a little bit to get to the location shown on the photo. The actual parking lot was closed due to snow. During that day, there was very strong winds at times. There was a lot of snow within the views of the trees which was so beautiful. The only thing is, there are a lot of trees that kinda takes away the view of the island. There were quite a few visitors that day that come and go but it felt empty the whole time we were there which was nice. On the left of the photo, there is a great space to play in the snow.

Emerald Bay State Park was one of the better sections I explored during my visit to Lake Tahoe. It's located in South Lake Tahoe. First off....I must warn one of the big drawbacks to this popular area is the limited parking. When I arrived around mid morning - 10am, the small lot had filled up entirely. My only other option was to drive a short ways and tightly park alongside the limited shoulder spaced area of the road. Also, this was on an uphill/downhill decline which made parking not so easy. Regardless....I then grabbed my backpack and walked 10 minutes back towards the entrance and trailhead for Emerald Bay. Other than the congestion of people visiting....I enjoyed my time here. Btw....in all....I was quite surprised how busy Lake Tahoe was. The roads were difficult to navigate in general, though I did come here in mid July - peak summer travel season. To traverse Emerald Bay, I had to hike down 1 mile and 500 feet to arrive at the lake's shores and the iconic Vikingsholm Castle. Vikingsholm Castle is a highlight of Lake Tahoe. It's "one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere." In other words....it's a quaint castle situated right along Lake Tahoe's beautiful coastline. I found Vikingsholm to be just okay looking when I arrived. They were offering tours, but I was satisfied grabbing a picture of it and continuing on my way. Have to mention.....back to the start at the entrance of Emerald Bay State Park......before venturing downhill towards the shores, I looked around and captured FANTASTIC PHOTOS of picturesque Lake Tahoe in all its glory from this pinnacle/peak parking lot area. Sincerely...there are climbable rocks featuring plenty of wonderful overlooks. It's an absolute must to scale a few of the rocks....grab some inspiring pictures before hiking down the 1 mile. There were frequent opportunities to gaze upon Lake Tahoe from this vantage area.....especially maneuvering upon the terrain made for joyful photos. Though I did visit in the morning....the sun was difficult as it was beaming against my eyes. I would recommend coming here in the afternoon for better and optimal photo chances with sun at your back. The hike down to the shores was casual. Nothing strenuous.....except for the return back uphill. Still, down here by the seashore....folks were setting up camp and picnics to hang out for the day. The waters here were quite calm and slightly transparent. The sand was smooth as well and combined these aspects made for an pleasant backdrop. For myself, I continued past Vikingsholm towards EAGLE FALLS. This was another fun element to Emerald Bay. Especially LOWER EAGLE FALLS were quite memorable. The falls situated in a woodsy/forestry setting, enhanced the atmosphere. I ventured past a charming walking bridge towards a viewing platform of these Lower Eagle Falls. This was a good spot to enjoy the surroundings. Down here at the shore were bathrooms as well as a tiny Visitor's Center. I spent about 2 hours exploring and looking around before trekking back uphill towards the parking lot. Overall, Emerald Bay was a worthwhile stop along the south shores of Lake Tahoe. I especially appreciated the scenery of Lake Tahoe from the top of the hill by the parking lot....it immediately made the experience entirely worthwhile.

This has quickly become my favorite thing to show people when they come to town. It's such a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe, and even more so when you take the hike down to the edge of the water. There are restrooms at the bottom of the hike on the edge of the water, along with a gift shop where you can buy icecream, more sunscreen, and more water if you need it. My favorite thing to do is rent a kayak from Kayak Tahoe at the bottom and kayak across to the tea house. It's pretty easy to pull your kayak up onto the rocks and take the quick hike up to the top of the island to stand inside what remains of the tea house. It's such a unique experience and a view of Tahoe you'll never forget!

$10 parking per day. A beautiful place to hike. It starts at Vikingsholm parking lot and goes down till Emerald Bay Waterfront. Restrooms are there but near the lake where there is also a shop to buy souvenirs if you want. Don't forget to check inspiration point. It gives a beautiful view. You can even plan to go to the small island in the middle of the lake by renting a kayak, boat or jet ski. Great hiking trials and biking trials. And Majestic views throughout.

Dog Owner Perspective. Following are the places we visited on 4th of July 2019. Parking. Many parked on the street. We did not know, so, we entered Vikingsholm parking lot. It said "Lot Full". But, I thought we tried our luck. We were LUCKY. Not only we got a space within the next 5 min. The prev car owner gave us his all day parking ticket pass ($10). Woohoo. Thank you, Lord! So, Vikingsholm trail and beach is NOT PET FRIENDLY. We were disappointed because husband said and read somewhere that it was. Note to self: Do my own research!!!! The beach at the bottom of the trail was not worth the walk. It's small and just alright The Rock by the Vikingsholm parking lot (PET FRIENDLY) Many climbed up, so, we followed. Once at the too, we all lost a breath or two. The word awesome was not adequate to describe what we saw. We ate lunch up there, I set up my red beach chair and spent the next 2 hours basking in sun watching people (there were tons of them) and soaking the scenery while the family walked down the trail to check out the beach. Lower Eagle Falls (PET FRIENDLY). From Vikingsholm parking lot, I turned left and walked about 10 min to Lower Eagle Falls. Kokiatso and I had to climbed down the rock to reach the falls. It's a very easy climb. However, it would be a challenge for people with mobility issue. I had to let Kokiatso off lease because I needed my 2 hands to assist my decent. She was off leashed the whole time by the falls. Eagle Falls Trail (PET FRIENDLY). This trail has everything. A little rock formation to climb, creek to refresh our overheated feet and great scenery to reward the hike. I had knee surgery few years ago, and I classified this trail as "Moderate"

Gorgeous views from anywhere and nice little hiking trails nearby. Highly recommend if you're in the area for beautiful panoramic views and awesome photo ops!

Beautiful park. Not much space to spread out for picnicking or swimming and not a lot of shade to be found so if you plan on hanging out - bring towels to sit on, sunscreen and water! You will also need water and comfortable shoes for the 1 mile (fairly steep) walk back up the hill. It's worth it though - so beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed all the people watching. If it's busy, like most days, there will be a waitlist for a kayak rental to the tea house on the island so you may want to stop by there first. Be sure to do the mansion tour - $15 for 15 minutes but the money goes to preserve it and it's very unique and interesting.

BEAUTIFUL! If you're entering into the actual state park area the cost will be $10. They have camping sites available but you would have to talk to the guys at the gate for more info. From this area you can park your car and access the Rubicon Trail that will lead you towards Vikingsholm. The hike from the Parking lot to Vikingsholm is about 1.7 miles. It's a clear dirt path downhill. But don't forget. You gotta go back up the hill to get to your car. It's a decent hike. Good for all ages. But if you have messed up knees or any other body parts giving up on you, I suggest you take your time when hiking here. One lil mess up could have you going down the side of the mountain.

The view was absolutely spectacular! Having read reviews, we expected it to be pretty special and we were in no way disappointed. During winter months, the snow capped views and mounds of snow was quite the site to behold. That said, we were not prepared to hike and yet we enjoyed being spectators along side of the road--- watching kids engage in snow fights, hikers and passerbys. If in the area, this is an absolute must see. Be sure to plan to spend at least an hour there.

On my last trip to California, I made it a point for my family and I to visit Lake Tahoe and it's beautiful surroundings and it seriously did not disappoint. We set out early in the morning and made our way to Emerald Bay State Park. All the sights leading up to our destination were picture perfect. Once we got to the park, we made our way down to the waterfall below the road and just sat there taking in the wonderful views. I can't think of a better moment than sharing such beautiful sights with my husband and toddler and I really hope my son grows to appreciate all that nature has to offer. Although we didn't get to complete all that we had intended that day since the Eagle Falls Trail was closed, we still had fun walking around, playing with the snow with our son, and building little snow men. Just seeing the sheer joy on my son's face as he experience snow for the first time (the actual snow fall / snow storm came later that night!) made it all perfect. This was mid April and we were lucky to still see a lot of semi-soft snow on the ground. It was quite a bit blustery and the wind chill was no joke, so be sure to dress warm and layer up. Emerald Bay is just so picturesque and I highly recommend a visit here! There's a good amount of outdoor activities as well such as hiking, kayaking, visiting Vikingshold, etc. Perhaps we'll do a few of those if ever we visit again. What a great place to bring your family!

Beautiful spot! There's hikes and kayaking and a lake-side beach that is gorgeous. The good: Kayak Tahoe is located lakeside and has affordable karak rentals which you can use to visit the little island in the middle of Emerald Bay and hike there - high recommend on that. There are toilets around (incl porto potties). The lake is gorgeous for swimming. If you bring down your own food, blankets etc I can see spending the whole day down there, honestly. The bad: Parking will be a big thing... you gotta come REALLY early if you want a good spot, or even a spot; you are likely gonna park on the side of the road somewhere and add to that long walk. It is a LONG hike down from the main parking lot to lake side, and that means it's a LONG and HIGH hike back, so plan accordingly energy-wise. Also that means it's not accessibility friendly at all. Also check Kayak Tahoe for availability... if you come after opening there will definitely be a line, and possibly no availability for either single or double kayaks. Lots of smaller boats go through the bay, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, they go slow and far from shore.

This is THE worst campground experience we've encountered in 20 years of camping. First, let me say that the location is gorgeous, with many of the campsites holding spectacular views of Emerald Bay. This is a cliff view experience, not a beach one! More importantly, do not come here if you have a camper truck or anything but a very small trailer! Many of the pads are VERY small, and they are Nazis when it comes to enforcing "off the pad" registered vehicles. We had to park our truck nearly a 1/2 mile away after dropping our camper on the pad. All of this information should be made clear upon booking, but it is not -- we would have never booked here knowing all this. It is BEST if you are camping, no trailer or camper!! Good luck.

Here's my two cents on Emerald Bay. It's a place of unmatched natural beauty and one of the most gorgeous mountain bays you'll ever come across, complete with Vikingsholm and wonderful beaches and coves and an island, camping, boating and endless swimming in the summertime. But it's also forever crowded, often to the point of being dangerous on the roads above. Tourists are drawn here over perhaps anywhere else on this side of the lake like a moth to a flame, and for that reason I always suggest other nearby parks with equal beauty first. On our last visit, we spent most of an hour slowly driving along incredibly dangerous and curvy roads where every square inch of possible space outside the driving lane was occupied by a car that couldn't make it into the parking lot. People are walking and running across the roads, the path down to the beach is steep and very, very crowded on weekends and many have little regard for safety. I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud...I just think that with other parks like D.L. Bliss and Eagle Point nearby, avoid the hassle if you are coming on a weekend in the summer months.