Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay State Park is a state park in El Dorado County, California, 10 miles from Tahoma. Day use costs $10 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.
Emerald Bay State Park map
Emerald Bay State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
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
- Emerald Bay State Park has 6 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Entry to Emerald Bay State Park costs $10 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.
- No, day use at Emerald Bay State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- Emerald Bay State Park is 10 miles from Tahoma. It is 10 miles from South Lake Tahoe.
- Visitor Center - Opens May 23rd 2026 until Sept 30th (as of September 28, 2026).
- No, dogs are not allowed at Emerald Bay State Park.
Before you go
Emerald Bay State Park is 10 miles from Tahoma. It is 10 miles from South Lake Tahoe.
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Camping at Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay State Park has 6 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
Trails
- Vikingsholm Trail 1 mi down 500 ft to Vikingsholm
- Rubicon Trail Shoreline trail to D.L. Bliss State Park
- Overlook Trail Accessible viewpoint at Eagle Point Campground
What to see
- Historic site Vikingsholm 1929 Scandinavian-style estate; guided tours summer
- Feature Fannette Island Only island in Lake Tahoe; tea house ruins
Public lands next to Emerald Bay State Park
- State parkEmerald Bay State Park borders D. L. Bliss State Park.
- National forestEmerald Bay 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 1.7 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=506 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)