Emerald Bay Hikes: The Ultimate Guide for Exploring This State Park

Did you know Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America? Lake Tahoe is also home to the breathtaking Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm, and the Rubicon Trail. All overlook the lake and provide some of the best scenery in the area.

First, enjoy your day hiking down to see Vikingsholm. Following this, explore one of the best Emerald Bay hikes along the Rubicon Trail and more. For more Lake Tahoe fun, visit our post to learn more about our 4-day trip to Lake Tahoe.

Map

The map above shows a quick overview of some of the attractions and points of interest at Emerald Bay State Park. We’ll discuss more about them below.

Before You Venture Out

• The Lake Tahoe area gets an intense amount of snow each year. Depending on when you travel here, the trails listed below may still be snow-covered or impassible.
• Get to all trailheads early to guarantee parking. During the summer months, parking areas can fill up very quickly.
• When traveling to Emerald Bay State Park, park in the lot near the Emerald Bay State Park Lookout here.
  • Once you arrive, you will need to pay for parking at the self-serve kiosk.

Weather and General Safety

• Weather near Lake Tahoe can vary from day to day. In mid-June, most daytime temps are in the 60s and 70s and that is perfect hiking weather. That being said, Lake Tahoe may still be a bit cold for swimming.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. We like to pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails.
• Always carry a first aid kit.
• Make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be on each day in case something happens.
• Reduce your risk on these Emerald Bay hikes by preparing and having the proper gear for all activities you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!

Emerald Bay State Park – Vikingsholm

Hiking at Emerald Bay State Park is not complete without a visit to Vikingsholm. This location is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the U.S. Built in the 1920s, this location now offers historical tours of the inside and outside of the home and it’s an experience like stepping back in time.

Tours are offered in the summer months from Memorial Day through September. Tour tickets can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis at the Emerald Bay State Park Visitor Center.

First, you will hike down a very steep, mile-long trail from the parking lot down to the lake. There are expansive views of Emerald Bay as you descend 500 feet to Lake Tahoe. Once you reach the bottom, there are restrooms located here and at the Emerald Bay State Park Visitor Center.

Explore the area or take a tour of Vikingholm! Next, get ready for a kayak trip to Fanette Island or a scenic hike along the Rubicon Trail. You can do both if you have time.

Kayak Tahoe

If you want to kayak out to Fanette Island, kayaks are rented through Kayak Tahoe. Did you know that Fanette Island is the only island in Lake Tahoe? On top, you’ll find the remnants of a tea house, built around the same time as Vikingsholm.

Please check the website for opening dates and prices for kayak rentals as these might change each year. All rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember your sunscreen, snacks, and the fact that you WILL get wet. Be advised that the water may be cold and that kayaking in the wind will give you a great workout.

Rubicon Trail – moderate – 12.3 miles, out & back

Maybe you just said to yourself, “Well, I don’t kayak. What now?” That is fine! Head out for an adventure on one of our favorite Emerald Bay hikes, the Rubicon Trail. This trail starts right near Vikingsholm and travels along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, exploring both Emerald Bay State Park and D.L. Bliss State Park.

Feel free to make this hike as long or as short as you like, but the best views are along the trail near D.L. Bliss State Park. It’s about 4 miles total one way to the Rubicon Point Lighthouse.

Hike along the Western Shore – Rubicon Trail

Start the hike by traveling north on the trail on the west side of Lake Tahoe. This is one of our favorite Emerald Bay hikes because the first 2 miles or so are completely flat with stunning views. About halfway through this section, you’ll hike through a campground.

Stay close to the lake to continue along the trail. Eventually, you’ll reach a section that travels inland, but after that, watch out! Here, some of the best views of Lake Tahoe await! At this point, the trail starts to gain elevation, offering a bird ‘s-eye view of Lake Tahoe.

Travel as long as you want on this trail, and if you reach the end, you’ll end up at the Rubicon Point Light. Finally, turn around and head back the way you came to reach Vikingsholm.

Hike Along the Eastern Shore – Rubicon Trail

Further, there is one more option to continue the Rubicon Trail in the other direction to hike along the east side of the lake. This section of the trail has some elevation gain as you hike toward the Upper Eagle Point Campground.

Feel free to do as much or as little of this section as you would like. However, the views on this side of the lake were extra unique as you travel on the trail overlooking the lake at a higher elevation. Turn around and head back to Vikingsholm when you reach the end of the trail.

Lower Eagle Falls

Finally, from Vikingsholm, take the optional Lower Eagle Falls Trail which is only about a half-mile long. The thundering waterfall is a sight to behold if there has been a heavy snowpack the prior winter. You have officially completed some of our favorite Emerald Bay hikes! Next, prepare yourself and walk the steep mile back up to the parking lot. You can do it!

Eagle Vista Loop

Lastly, if time allows, visit Eagle Vista Loop or Eagle Lake. Just a 0.3-mile walk along the road will take you to this area to continue exploring if time in your schedule allows. First, walk along the road to reach the Eagle Falls Trailhead.

You can also drive to this location, but chances are, parking will be full. When you arrive at the parking lot, there is a restroom available near the parking lot, should you need it.

Begin this short half-mile loop trail by heading up the stairs carved into the rock. At the next sign, take a right to the vista point for excellent views of Lake Tahoe. Trace your steps back, and make a right at the junction heading down toward the bridge.

If you have extra time, take the Eagle Falls Trail out and back to Eagle Lake, which is just 2 miles. If you do this part, technically, you will need a free wilderness permit, which you can obtain at the trailhead. We were short on time at this point, so we only took the quick half-mile vista loop.

Where to Stay – Lake Tahoe

For a home base, we recommend staying in South Lake Tahoe, CA. This is a perfect spot! Here are some of the top accommodations:

• Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe – 1-3 bedroom options. We stayed here and LOVED it! Right at Heavenly Village with plenty of food and shopping options. Hop on the Heavenly Gondola right onsite. Book it right here on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Stardust Lodge – prime location right in the heart of the shopping and entertainment district, and free breakfast – you can’t go wrong there. Check it out here on Expedia.
• Basecamp South Lake Tahoe – on-site parking, rooftop terrace, and restaurant. Within walking distance to many restaurants and shopping areas. Get the details and compare rates on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Alder Inn – a family-owned and operated, quaint hotel. Contactless check-in featuring a text when your room is ready. Once ready, head there with no reason to wait until “check-in time!” Reserve your room on Expedia or Booking.com.

🧭 Looking for more fun and adventurous itineraries? Check them out here.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Emerald Bay State Park was by far our favorite day in the Lake Tahoe area. This park offered some of the best hiking and views of the lake with moderate effort. These were not strenuous hikes like you might find in the higher elevations around Lake Tahoe.

Most of those hikes were likely still too snow-covered for us to enjoy. To this day, we still can’t get over the clear blue water of Lake Tahoe. Surrounded by pine forests and snow-covered peaks, could you ask for more? If you only have time for one thing at Emerald Bay State Park, we recommend the Rubicon Trail.