Home Destinations USA California Lake Tahoe Sights Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay State Park Review

Read our Lake Tahoe sights reviews. Or post your own.

Emerald Bay State Park

Map It

Category: Parks
Location: Emerald Bay

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.4/5

Fodor's Review:

4 mi west of Pope-Baldwin Recreation Area on Hwy. 89.

Emerald Bay, a 3-mi-long and 1-mi-wide fjordlike inlet on Lake Tahoe's shore, was carved by a massive glacier millions of years ago. Famed for its jewel-like shape and colors, it surrounds Fannette, Tahoe's only island. Highway 89 curves high above the lake through Emerald Bay State Park; from the Emerald Bay lookout, the centerpiece of the park, you can survey the whole scene. This is one of the don't-miss views of Lake Tahoe. Come before the sun drops below the mountains to the west; the light is best in mid- to late mornings, when the bay's colors really pop.

A steep 1-mi-long trail from the lookout leads down to Vikingsholm, a 38-room estate completed in 1929. The original owner, Lora Knight, had this precise copy of a 1,200-year-old Viking castle built out of materials native to the area. She furnished it with Scandinavian antiques and hired artisans to build period reproductions. The sod roof sprouts wildflowers each spring. There are picnic tables nearby and a gray-sand beach for strolling. The hike back up is hard (especially if you're not yet acclimated to the elevation), but there are benches and stone culverts to rest on. At the 150-foot peak of Fannette Island are the ruins of a stone structure known as the Tea House, built in 1928 so that Knight's guests could have a place to enjoy afternoon refreshments after a motorboat ride. The island is off-limits from February through June to protect nesting Canada geese. The rest of the year it's open for day use. Hwy. 89. 530/541-6498 summer; 530/525-7277 year-round. www.vikingsholm.com. Day-use parking fee $6, mansion tour $5. Late May-mid-June, weekends, call for hrs; mid-June-Sept., daily 10-4.

Find more sights in Lake Tahoe »

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by beckasdream from Monterey, CA on 9/2/07
Definitely go as early as you can (they open at 10) because parking becomes a challenge as the day goes on. The house is neat but wasn't quite as amazing as I thought from other reviews and from things I have read. But it is interesting, especially if you enjoy architecture and Norwegian things. Nice beach in front of the house that you can wade around in. Beautiful view of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island. From the house we took the .3 mile hike to lower Eagle Falls. That was kind of a dud, very little water flowing down some rocks. The 1 mile hike back up to the parking lot was tough but mainly because it was so hot at this time. Bring a bottle of water! There are a few places to sit along the way if needed.

Member Rating: 3.6
Ratings details: Experience: 4.0 Ease: 2.0 Value: 4.0 Don't Miss: 4.0

Reviewed by kimamom from CA/Oregon Coast on 5/19/07
We went to the Emerald Bay State Park lookout and took some great photos from the lookout station off of the main road when we drove around the lake last Thurs. The scenery is very pretty with Fanette Island in Emerald Bay.
We also took the MS Dixie II boat cruise around Emerald Bay where we were up close and personal with the scenery here. Vikingsholm Castle is cool with lots of history. The cruise was narrated with lots of interesting facts about the castle and Emerald Bay.
Don't miss this gem when in Lake Tahoe!

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0

Reviewed by akhudak99 from native of sacramento, now living in TX on 4/22/07
the only negative thing i have to say is the hike can be a pain. it's about a mile down and then back up. kids do ok with it- i did it more than a dozen times growing up, but the elderly and disabled might have a little bit of trouble with it. anyone can do it, you just have to pace yourself to your own abilities.
the grounds and house are both amazing and beautiful. the tour is very informative and educational and keeps my attention- from young child to tween to teen and now adult. this is one of the few activities and sights that all ages can truly enjoy.