Emerald Bay State Park

California’s most-photographed lake cove — camp above the iconic bay

Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA, CA

Price: From $35 per night

Price range: $35–$50 per night

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (5820 reviews)

Season: Late May – late September

Emerald Bay State Park surrounds the emerald-green cove that is the single most-photographed spot in California, on the southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe. Two campgrounds serve the park: Eagle Point (100 drive-in sites on the ridge above the bay with panoramic views) and 22 Boat-In tent-only sites accessible by water or a steep 1-mile trail. Eagle Point offers car camping with bay views from every site. Vikingsholm Castle, a Scandinavian-style mansion at water’s edge, is open for tours mid-June t

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.

Amenities: Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers (Eagle Point), Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, Boat-In Sites, Vikingsholm Castle Tours, Lake Tahoe Beach Access

Emerald Bay is the most photographed spot in California for good reason — the emerald-green bay with Vikingsholm Castle and Fannette Island in the middle is genuinely breathtaking. Eagle Point campground puts you on the ridge above it all. You wake up, walk five minutes to the overlook, and you're looking at one of the most beautiful views in North America. The Rubicon Trail to D.L. Bliss is world-class hiking from your campsite.

The 1-mile hike down to Vikingsholm Castle and Emerald Bay beach is steep but worth it — especially at 7am before tour boats arrive. The Norse-style 38-room mansion on the lakeshore was built in 1929 by heiress Lora Josephine Knight and has been virtually unchanged. ⇒ Water: Eagle Falls drops in two tiers directly into the northwest corner of Emerald Bay — 1.5-mile trail from the campground. The lower falls drop into a deep pool that locals swim in July–August. Almost nobody does the lower trail extension past the main viewpoint.

What is new at Emerald Bay State Park: 2026: ReserveCalifornia reservation system. 5-month rolling window. Eagle Point opens late May. Vikingsholm tours resume mid-June.

Wildlife alert: Black bears active in the Lake Tahoe basin. Food storage required at all times. Bears in this region have learned to open unlocked vehicles. Lock everything. Marmots near rocky outcrops — they are persistent about raiding food.

Fire rules: Campfires in fire rings only. No outside firewood from outside the Tahoe basin — pest inspection zones apply. Firewood available at the camp store in South Lake Tahoe. Fire restrictions common in August and September.

Things to do near Emerald Bay State Park: Emerald Bay sunrise overlook (5 min walk from camp). Vikingsholm Castle tour (mid-June through Labor Day). Rubicon Trail to D.L. Bliss State Park (4 mi). Boat-in sites by kayak.

Insider tips for Emerald Bay State Park: Camp Richardson Resort (6 mi) rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards — rent early and paddle to the bay before 9am Eagle Point sites 1-12 have the best bay views — mention this when reserving on ReserveCalifornia The Vikingsholm trail to the beach is 1 mile down and back — bring real shoes, it's steep

Skip Emerald Bay State Park if: You have an RV or trailer over 21 ft. You need hookups. You can't book 5 months in advance on the exact release date.

Best time to visit Emerald Bay State Park: Jun — Before peak crowds. Snowmelt keeps lake levels high. Cool mornings.. Sep — Crowds drop after Labor Day. Water still warm enough to swim. Best light..

Common issues at Emerald Bay State Park: 21 ft hard RV limit at Eagle Point — steep, winding access road. Eagle Point is genuinely not navigable with large rigs. Tent campers and small van/truck campers only. KOA South Lake Tahoe (7 mi) serves larger rigs. One of the hardest reservations in the California state park system. Reserve at exactly 5 months in advance (California's rolling window). Log in before midnight when new dates drop. Day visitor parking fills by 9am summer weekends even with a camping reservation. Park at your campsite and walk to the overlook — you don't need a day-use spot.

What campers say about Emerald Bay State Park: "Woke up and walked to the Emerald Bay overlook at 6am. The morning light was something I'll never forget." — Google Reviews "Kayaked from camp, paddled into the bay, swam near Vikingsholm. The water is impossibly clear." — The Dyrt "Get there a day early and kayak before the boats arrive. The bay at 7am is glassy and magical." — Campendium

Nearby campgrounds: Camp Richardson Resort (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Tahoe Valley Campground (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Fallen Leaf Campground (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Meeks Bay Resort (Tahoma, CA).