Things to do nearEmerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay State Park is a celebrated natural landmark on the southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe, California, known for its vivid turquoise waters, a small island, and a historic Scandinavian-style estate.
Emerald Bay State Park occupies one of the most photographed stretches of the Lake Tahoe Basin, a glacially carved inlet on the lake's southwestern shore in El Dorado County, California. The bay's remarkable color comes from the exceptional clarity of Lake Tahoe's water combined with the white granite and pale sand of the shallow cove floor, which together refract sunlight into shades ranging from pale jade near the edges to a deep, cold blue at the center.
At the heart of the bay sits Fannette Island, a small granite outcrop topped by a stone teahouse built in the 1920s as part of the Vikingsholm estate. That estate, constructed in 1929 by heiress Lora Josephine Knight, drew on Norse architectural traditions and remains one of the finest examples of Scandinavian design in the western United States. Docent-led tours of the mansion run through summer and offer a detailed look at its hand-carved details and period furnishings.
Above the water, the Eagle Falls Trail climbs from the highway through old-growth forest to a series of cascades before opening onto high-country views. Backcountry campsites along the shoreline are accessible only by boat or on foot, making them among the more secluded spots in the Tahoe region. The surrounding landscape of pine, fir, and granite puts Emerald Bay State Park firmly in the Sierra Nevada tradition of grand, unhurried scenery that rewards those who take the time to explore it on foot and by water.
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Chance of rainTips for visiting Emerald Bay State Park
Visit during early morning in summer to secure a parking spot at the Emerald Bay overlook, as the lot fills quickly by mid-morning on weekends.
Hike the steep one-mile trail down to Vikingsholm, a 1929 Scandinavian-inspired mansion open for guided tours in the summer months.
Bring water shoes if you plan to swim near the shoreline, as the rocky lake bottom can be uneven and the water stays cold even in peak summer.
Kayak or paddleboard from the public launch at nearby D.L. Bliss State Park to reach Emerald Bay by water and see Fannette Island up close.
Time a visit for late September or early October when the crowds thin and the surrounding Sierra Nevada forests begin to show their fall color.
Top tours & experiences near Emerald Bay State Park
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 27' Pontoon Rental
Rent a 27' pontoon for up to 12 people on Lake Tahoe
27' Cobalt Boat Rental on Lake Tahoe
Cruise Lake Tahoe with your group on a 27' Cobalt (up to 12)
3-Hour Lake Tahoe Bachelorette Private Boat Charter
Private Lake Tahoe bachelorette boat charter with USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a Private 40' Party Boat Charter
Private Lake Tahoe party boat charter for up to 35, with floating mat
2-3 Hour Electric Dirt Bike Tour in South Lake Tahoe
Ride Lake Tahoe private trails on quiet electric dirt bikes with certified instruction
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Sunset Private Charter
Private 2-hour sunset cruise on Lake Tahoe for up to 10 guests
Cruise Emerald Bay on a 2-Hour Lake Tahoe Charter
Private 2-hour Lake Tahoe cruise with a USCG-certified captain for up to 13
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Sunset Pontoon Charter
Private 2-hour sunset pontoon cruise with a USCG-certified captain
2-Hour Private Lake Tahoe Boat Charter to Emerald Bay
Private 2-hour Chaparral charter with a USCG-certified captain, up to 10 guests
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a Private 2-Hour Boat Charter
Charter a 25 ft Chris Craft with a USCG-certified captain (up to 8 guests)
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 3-Hour Private Charter
Charter a 25 ft Chris Craft with a USCG-certified captain (up to 8 guests)
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 4-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 4-hour Lake Tahoe cruise for up to 8 guests with a USCG-certified captain
3-Hour South Lake Tahoe Tubing & Cruise Charter
Private 3-hour Lake Tahoe tube ride with an Emerald Bay cruise
Sunset Music Boat Charter in South Lake Tahoe
Private 2-hour sunset music cruise on Lake Tahoe with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 6-Hour Private Boat Charter
Charter a private boat and circle Lake Tahoe in 6 hours
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 4-Hour Sunset Private Charter
Private 4-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter with swimming, watersports, and sunset views
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Happy Hour Charter
Bring your own drinks on a 2-hour private Lake Tahoe happy hour cruise
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Sunset Private Charter
Watch the sunset on a private Lake Tahoe boat with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Sunset Private Charter
Private 2-hour Lake Tahoe sunset cruise for up to 8 guests
Wake Surf Lake Tahoe 5-Hour Private Boat Charter
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 5-hour private wake surf boat with captain (up to 10 guests)
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 5-Hour Private Charter
Private 5-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter with a USCG-certified captain
Efoil Private Boat Charter in Lake Tahoe
Cruise Lake Tahoe by private boat, then take turns riding an efoil
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 4-Hour Bachelorette Charter
Private 4-hour bachelorette boat charter on Lake Tahoe for up to 13
Explore Emerald Bay on a 2-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 2-hour Lake Tahoe wake surf charter for up to 10
Wake Surf Lake Tahoe On A 3-Hour Private Boat Charter
3-hour private Lake Tahoe wake surf charter with a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain
Wake Surf on a 4-Hour Private Lake Tahoe Boat Charter
Private 4-hour Lake Tahoe charter with a USCG-certified captain (up to 10 guests)
Wake Surf on a 6-Hour Lake Tahoe Private Boat Charter
Private 6-hour Lake Tahoe wake surf charter with a USCG-certified captain (up to 10 guests)
4-Hour Lake Tahoe Efoil Private Boat Charter
Private Lake Tahoe boat charter with efoil time for your group
Cruise Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Tea Private Charter
Private Emerald Bay morning boat charter with tea and biscotti
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 3-Hour Private Pontoon Charter
Private 3-hour Lake Tahoe pontoon cruise with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 4-Hour Private Pontoon Charter
Private 4-hour pontoon charter on Lake Tahoe with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 3-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 3-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter for up to 10 guests
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 4-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 4-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter for up to 10 guests
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 3-Hour Bachelorette Charter
Private 3-hour Lake Tahoe bachelorette boat charter with USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a Private Bachelorette Charter
4-hour private Lake Tahoe bachelorette boat with USCG-certified captain (up to 13)
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 2-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter with a USCG-certified captain
Explore Lake Tahoe on a 3-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 3-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 4-Hour Private Boat Charter
4-hour private Lake Tahoe charter with a USCG-certified captain
Explore Lake Tahoe on a 2-Hour Private Pontoon Charter
Private 2-hour Lake Tahoe pontoon charter with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a Private 6-Hour Charter
Private Lake Tahoe boat charter with a USCG-certified captain for up to 13 guests
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 5-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 5-hour Lake Tahoe charter on a 26 ft Chaparral with a USCG-certified captain
Explore Emerald Bay on a 6-Hour Lake Tahoe Boat Charter
Private 6-hour Lake Tahoe boat charter with a USCG-certified captain (up to 10)
Explore Lake Tahoe on a 6-Hour Private Boat Charter
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 25 ft Chris Craft with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 5-Hour Private Boat Charter
Private 5-hour Lake Tahoe charter on a 25 ft Chris Craft (up to 8 guests)
Cruise Emerald Bay on a 2-Hour Private Charter
Private 2-hour Lake Tahoe charter to Emerald Bay for up to 13
5-Hour Lake Tahoe Private Pontoon Charter
Charter a 27 ft pontoon with a USCG-certified captain on Lake Tahoe
Cruise Lake Tahoe on a 6-Hour Private Pontoon Charter
Private 6-hour Lake Tahoe pontoon with a USCG-certified captain
Cruise Emerald Bay on a 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour
2-hour afternoon cruise from South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay