The story of Emerald Bay State Park in Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay State Park is centered on Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay, a National Natural Landmark Park features include Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. The architect was Leonard Palme, who was hired by his aunt Laura Knight to design and build Vikingsholm. The park contains the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island. The park is accessible by California State Route 89 near the southwest shore of the lake. Emerald Bay is one of Lake Tahoe’s most photographed and popular locations.

In 1969 Emerald Bay was recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the federal Department of the Interior. In 1994 California State Parks included the surrounding water of the bay as a part of the park, making Emerald Bay one of the first underwater parks of its type in the state, protecting the various wrecks and other items on the bay’s bottom.

The 1,533-acre (620 ha) park was established in 1953. It is located directly south of D. L. Bliss State Park.

Summer temperatures at the park range from the low 40 °F (4 °C) at night to mid-70 °F (21 °C) during the day, and during the winter visitors will usually experience temperatures between 20 and 40 °F (−7 and 4 °C). During harsh winters the bay freezes over. The bay is about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in length, and about two-thirds of a mile (1 km) wide at its widest point.

http://www.goldenhorizontravel.com/lake-tahoe-skiing-tours.php

History of Emerald Bay State Park

In 1969, Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark for its brilliant panorama of mountain-building processes and glacier carved granite. The natural beauty, geology and history of this unique island make it one of the highlights of any visit to the Lake Tahoe area.

Emerald Bay State Park includes 2 campgrounds: Boat-In Camp (accessible by boat or foot only) and Eagle Point Campground (scheduled to open mid summer 2016). The scenic Rubicon foot trail wraps around Emerald Bay, with trailheads at Eagle Point campground, Vikingsholm, and DL Bliss State Park. The park features Vikingsholm, one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere and the “Tea House” on Fannette Island, the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe.

There is no vehicle access to the lakeshore of Emerald Bay or Vikingsholm. Visitors walk to the lake from the Vikingsholm Parking Lot (1 mile walk) or via the Rubicon Trail. Some visitors arrive by kayak or private boat.

Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. It is the resting place for many boats, launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm.

Visitors to Emerald Bay State Park enjoy hiking, swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, boating, sightseeing and touring Vikingsholm in the summer months.

Visitors are welcome to hike down to Vikingsholm any time of year, but please be aware: In the winter, snow and ice can lead to hazardous conditions. Before deciding to hike in the snow, consider if you have appropriate footwear, clothing, food and water supply, and stamina level. Cell phones may not have reception. There are no services or drinking water from Oct – May. Restrooms are available year-round at the bottom. Round-trip to Vikingsholm and back is 2 miles with 400 feet elevation gain.

VikingsholmAccessibile Information

For people who have a valid ADA placard, special arrangements are necessary to reach the Vikingsholm area which is located down a very steep gravel road that is not open to private vehicles. Call (530) 525-9529 to check on the availability of shuttle service to escort people with mobility disabilities to Vikingsholm area. Reservations for this service must be made at least 24 hours in advance. This service is offered during Vikingsholm tour season: Memorial Day weekend – September.

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Testimonials

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Amazing travel package to Lake Tahoe combined with Yosemite National Park

Alex / Adeline Seah- Singapore

We booked a tour package to Lake Tahoe combined with a trip to Yosemite National Park. Our tour guide John was friendly, information and highly knowledgeable. He picked us up at our hotel in Napa Valley and drove to Lake Tahoe on day 1, we enjoyed the stops in the gold country but Lake Tahoe tour was more than we expected, what a marvelous place. Our hotel accommodation was a casino resort with plenty of shows and nightlife, the rooms were large with views of the lake and very comfortable. Yosemite on the other hands, is a true wonderland anda magicalplace, I highly recommend this trip to everyone and families with kids. My kids loved it , my husband and I have a wonderful time. This private tour package cost us a bit more than we anticipated but the service exceeded our expectations and worth every penny. They go the extra mile to make you happy

Review about our Lake Tahoe day trip from San Jose, California

James Wang , Hong Kong

We were a group of 7 business travelers from Hong Kong and Germany on a business trip in San Jose, California, we booked this private day trip to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco and San Jose, and we were not disappointed. We were so excited to play with the snow up at heavenly ski resort, the views are amazing over the lake. We highly recommended this day trip to Tahoe,but if you have time , go for the overnight trip package because it’s a long drive from San Francisco!

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“Pure professionals and a memorable Tahoe Yosemite combo tour”

Naina Kwok- Jakarta- Indonesia

One of the hardest things to do when trying to book excursions in California from overseas is being able to trust unknown companies. Despite investigating many options, the costs and reading reviews a selection is given to a firm trusted over many years. We booked two incredible and separate excursions with this travel company based upon older reviews and friends’ recommendations. We booked the one to Yosemite National Park trip from San Francisco, spent a night in the Yosemite Valley and then the next day we traveled to Lake Tahoe through the Tuolumne meadows, a land of wonders in every sense of the word.
We got to Lake Tahoe in the late afternoon and spent the night and extra day in Lake Tahoe south shore. The lake is picturesque and the cruise ship we took in the lake allowed us to get in-depth to many state parks and beaches where vehicles are not allowed. Highly recommended

“Alcatraz and Lake Tahoe tour from San Francisco”!

Chris George , Dallas, Texas

What an amazing trip around the entire Lake Tahoe after a 2 hours’ tour of Alcatraz Island and four hours’ drive from san fran. I know this is not ordinarycombo tour but we booked the overnight trip package to Tahoe so we can squeeze in the tour of Alcatraz , my kids wanted to see it so badly. My wife, friends and my kids loved the snowmobile guided adventure with Alex in Tahoe high country, we enjoyed a thrilling ride throughout Tahoe forest and heavy snow, the stops and vistas along the way were breathtaking, what a peaceful and wonderful destination.

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“Yosemite and Tahoe full experience- excellent! A 5 stars’ tour”

Nicky&BannySh. Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Our 3-day private tour to Lake Tahoe, Gold Country and Yosemite National Park was excellent but so was our guide Peter. He had immense knowledge of not only the Park, the Sierra and Lake Tahoe but of the places thru out the route we took from San Francisco to Sacramento, Placerville, lake Tahoe, Reno in Nevada and above all about Yosemite geology and biology. We chatted and chatted and he was not one bit tired of it. We will certainly use this tour company again; 5 start service all the way!

“Increible Vacación e innolvidable experiencia en Lake Tahoe y Renno!!”

Gabriela & Oscar Reyes, Lima, Peru

Both our tours of Muir Woods and Point Reyes national seashores combined with a horseback ride were amazing and unforgettable thanks to our guide John. Both trips were totally customized to me and my 13 years old son, the horseback ride was exciting and Point Reyes is spectacular.

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“Lake Tahoe is stunning & spectacular!”

Martha Frierrs -Alabama

Lake Tahoe is the best of the West Coast of both Nevada and California sides, even if you’re not a fan of the outdoors activities. We took the 3-day trippackage Lake Tahoe with my family, we a had an amazing time. It was so relaxing, and peaceful in the snow, just driving around Tahoe was a treat for all of us before wen signed up for the snowline ride and ski lessons. Tahoe is such a special place,I recommend it to everybody who likes nature.

“Lake Tahoe is one of the must-see”

Jimmy & family -Belize

Lake Tahoe region is one of the must-see places in California with an array of activities for both summer and winter, we loved it, and our kids want already to go back there, they took ski lessons and fell in love with heavenly ski resort in South Lake Tahoe area. We would like to visit Tahoe in the summer as well, I am sure it will look great; all green after the snow season. Don’t miss out on visit the Emerald bay during your stay, it’s beautiful.

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“Tahoe is a wonderful vacation destination”

Lucia & Rogelio Mérida-Mexico

We spent too much time in SouthernCalifornia during our last trip to California (in Los Angeles). But San Francisco Bay Area is way much better and had so much to offer. When our tour guide who drove us to Yosemite told us about Lake Tahoe, we booked a day tour with this travel company to go there the next day, we were tired as it took us over 4 hours to get there, but Lake Tahoe worth the trip and every penny we spent. The Lake is pristine, wonderful and so clean, the air was fresh and pure with magnificent surroundings.
Avoid school holidays, some places were a bit crowded but no traffic there once you get around the lake.

Lake Tahoe day trip from San Francisco with a three-generation family

Alan Collins, London, England

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“Epic family rafting trip on the Upper Colorado!”

Alice & Ian Rich, Calgary, Canada

Our family including 3 boys, ages 14and 15 and 16 and 2 daughters over 21 years’ old booked a day whitewater rafting trip in the American river on first day to Lake Tahoe, they provided us with lots of info before and all necessary equipment before the trip, so we felt properly prepared and safe for the rafting adventure. The rapids are exciting, challenging and thrilling, our guide was competent and fun. Overall, an exacting family adventure.
Thank you Lake Tahoe Adventures.

“Absolutely the Perfect Private tours we needed to Lake Tahoe and San Francisco”

Gina W. Johnson. Wausau, Wisconsin

Our tour guide- driver, Pat, was the best! She was prompt, and very knowledgeable about the areas we drove through from San Francisco bay area to Lake Tahoe. A beautiful escalade SUV too and very comfortable! I was nervous at first to book as it was little pricey but it is well worth every single penny!! Trust me. We would definitely use this tour company in our future visits to San Francisco and Yosemite! Tahoe was another beautiful place we would have missed! My daughter love tubbing and sledding in Lake Tahoe meadows in south lake Tahoe areas. Thank you, guys, and good job!!