What does it cost to visit D. L. Bliss State Park?

Entry to D. L. Bliss State Park costs $10.00 per vehicle. Hours: Day Use Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.

Do you need a reservation or ticket to visit D. L. Bliss State Park?

No, day use at D. L. Bliss State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.

What are the visitor center hours at D. L. Bliss State Park?

visitor center is open on weekends (as of September 28, 2026).

Are dogs allowed at D. L. Bliss State Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed at D. L. Bliss State Park.

State park

D. L. Bliss State Park

D. L. Bliss State Park is a state park in El Dorado County, California, 17 miles from Tahoe City. Day use costs $10.00 per vehicle. Hours: Day Use Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.

D. L. Bliss State Park map

D. L. Bliss State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

View larger map Open in Google Maps Directions

Fire restrictions

Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.

Common questions

: D. L. Bliss State Park has 6 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
: Entry to D. L. Bliss State Park costs $10.00 per vehicle. Hours: Day Use Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.
: No, day use at D. L. Bliss State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
: D. L. Bliss State Park is 17 miles from Tahoe City. It is 17 miles from South Lake Tahoe.
: visitor center is open on weekends (as of September 28, 2026).
: Yes, dogs are allowed at D. L. Bliss State Park.

Before you go

D. L. Bliss State Park is 17 miles from Tahoe City. It is 17 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.

Camping at D. L. Bliss State Park

D. L. Bliss State Park has 6 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.

Reserve a site with the park's booking system

Trails

Rubicon Trail (4.5 mi one way, moderate) Lake Tahoe shoreline to Emerald Bay
Lighthouse Trail (1 mi round trip, easy to moderate) Spur to Rubicon Point lighthouse

What to see

Historic site Lighthouse at Rubicon Point Highest elevation lighthouse in the U.S.
Rock formation Balancing Rock Granite knob on Rubicon Trail

Public lands next to D. L. Bliss State Park

State parkD. L. Bliss State Park borders Emerald Bay State Park.
National forestD. L. Bliss State Park borders Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, a national forest.
Wilderness areaDesolation Wilderness is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
National forestEldorado National Forest is 1.8 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=505 (accessed 2026-09-29)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/505/files/DLBlissEmeraldBayFinalWeb122917.pdf (accessed 2026-09-29)