Emerald Bay State Park
- Address:7360 West Lake Boulevard, Tahoma
- Hours:Open daily
- Admission:Free
5:23 PM Saturday, May 26
Light rain. Mostly cloudy. Chilly.
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One of the must-see sights on a visit to Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay State Park. Carved out by glaciers millions of years ago, the lake displays a stunning array of colors, especially just before the sun slips below the mountains, when the bay’s colors really peak. In the center of the bay sits Fannette Island, which gives the bay a jewel-like shape, best seen from Emerald Bay lookout – a view not to be missed. Emerald Bay is also one of the first underwater parks, protecting the various boats, barges, and other items on the bay's bottom.
Emerald Bay State Park is also home to Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. The roof of the mansion is made of sod and sprouts wildflowers in the spring. The mansion is just a short hike downhill from the lookout. Another highlight of the park is Eagle Falls, which is a short hike from the Eagle Falls picnic area. From here, you can hike to Eagle Lake, where you can dive and swim into the cool, blue, alpine water.
Latest Reviews All Emerald Bay State Park Reviews »
It was a very good experience. Our guide Greg was very helpful and knowledgeable to the area, and took us hard to find places. What is unexpected was that Greg who is an experienced photographer , also took a lof of photo of us with the beautiful backdrop, Lake Tahoe, which really happens to me since I am always the one who is behind the camera. It was a pleasant experience. Money well spent
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Most enjoyable cruise - with wonderful dinner.
Would recommend to anyone visiting South Lake Tahoe area.
This is a beautiful, well planned cruise - with a lovely dinner and good music during the 3 1/2 hour trip. Views are wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful evening on Lake Tahoe.
Continue Reading »Practical Info
Emerald Bay State Park is located 22 miles (35 kilometers) south of Lake Tahoe. To get to the park, take Highway 89 to the southwest shore of the lake. You can pick up trail maps from the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center in summer or from the park’s headquarters in South Lake Tahoe year round. Summer is the best time to visit, as temperatures are fairly mild. In winter, however, temperatures often remain below freezing.
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