Arguably the gem—pun intended—in Lake Tahoe’s crown of must-visit locales, Emerald Bay State Park is a favorite for good reason. Besides the epic views, Emerald Bay features two lakeside campgrounds, Lake Tahoe’s only island, miles of hiking trails and the historic Vikingsholm Castle; all framed by towering granite peaks.
It goes without saying then, that there are a million ways to enjoy Emerald Bay.
You could drive in along the winding Highway 89 for a bird’s eye view of Emerald Bay, Cascade Lake and Fannette Island. You could hike up to Eagle Falls for that iconic waterfall with a view of the bay. You could stay overnight at the boat-in campground, or watch the sunset from Inspiration Point at the edge of Eagle Point Campground.
Or, you could do it the best way. The locals’ way. The only way? On a boat!
Better By Boat: Emerald Bay State Park
When it comes to Lake Tahoe, we’ll encourage pretty much anyone to get out on a boat. It’s just the best way to spend your time. And if Emerald Bay State Park is on your must-visit list—then it’s all but settled. An Emerald Bay boat cruise, rental, kayak tour or campout is on the agenda.
Don’t get us wrong, we love the view of Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay from the top of Eagle Falls or a hike along the stunning Rubicon Trail. But none of it compares to anchoring down in a sunny cove, swimming out to Fannette Island or sipping a cold beer with breathtaking views of Maggie’s Peak.
It may sound like a lot of work to make it out there on a boat, but honestly—between the crowded parking lot, summer traffic and the steep trail to Vikingsholm Castle, getting out there by water is sometimes the easier alternative.
Things To Do In Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay packs more activities in than most destinations manage in a whole region. Here’s a quick overview of what’s possible:
| Activity | Cost | Best For |
| Kayak rental or tour to Fannette Island | $ | Active visitors, smaller groups |
| Scenic cruise (Rum Runner, Sail Tahoe Blue, Tahoe Gal) | $$ | Short on time, no-hassle option |
| Private captained boat tour | $$$ | Groups of 6–12, full day |
| Boat-in overnight camping | $ | Overnight adventurers, early planners |
| Hike to Vikingsholm Castle | Free (+ parking) | Hikers, history lovers |
| Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail | Free (+ parking) | Families, casual hikers |
| Rubicon Trail to DL Bliss | Free (+ parking) | Serious hikers |
Whatever you choose, the one consistent recommendation: get on the water! Even a one-hour kayak rental from the beach below Vikingsholm changes the entire experience.
Emerald Bay Cruises: Scenic Tours & Sunset Sails
Believe it or not, the trip from South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay is genuinely easier via the water. Scenic boat cruises out to Emerald Bay operate daily, with dozens of options during the summer months and daytime scenic cruises aboard the M.S. Dixie operating year-round.
Tours typically run 2-3 hours, with options ranging from sunset and happy-hour sails to dinner cruises to simple out-and-back boat excursions.
Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruises
Four great ways to see Emerald Bay from the water. A scenic cruise for every taste.
Summer dates fill fast — book early to secure your preferred departure.
Kayaking Emerald Bay & Fannette Island
If hiking is simply your thing, and you’d prefer to explore Emerald Bay State Park by foot—you can still squeeze a little boating adventure in. Start the day on the area’s hiking trails, visiting Eagle Lake, Eagle Falls, perhaps even Cascade Lake, before winding down the one-mile trail towards the lake.
At the bottom of the trail, you’ll find Vikingsholm Castle, a spacious beach, gorgeous views of Emerald Bay, and the Rubicon Trail, which you can follow north towards DL Bliss State Park or south towards Bayview Campground and Inspiration Point.
Then, when you’ve explored to your heart’s content, head over to Kayak Tahoe at the base of the Vikingsholm Castle to start the real Emerald Bay adventure. Here, you can rent kayaks and paddle out to Fannette Island (don’t worry! It’s a quick ride.), or paddle around the bay in search of your own private beach. If you choose to stop in on Lake Tahoe’s only island, you can climb to the top of the tea house for an epic photo with all of Emerald Bay in the background.
Alternatively, if you’re an advanced kayaker or general thrill seeker, you could grab a rental from Kayak Tahoe’s Baldwin Beach location and paddle the four-mile roundtrip route from the beach to Emerald Bay. Or, book a kayak tour with Clearly Tahoe and have all the logistics—transport, guide & gear—handled for you.
Emerald Bay Boat Tours: Private Captained Charters
Not really sure what “red right returning” means? Then, a private charter with a licensed boat captain is the way to go. That way, you won’t have to think twice about navigating the channel, watching the wind forecast, dropping an anchor or exactly how many beers was that?
Instead, you’ll be up on the bow—or towing behind the boat—with that high Sierra sun shining down and a cool spray of pure, Lake Tahoe water misting your face. Sit back and let your captain tour you around.
When you first enter the state park, you’ll slip into a cruising speed. Here, you’ll score some of the best views of Emerald Bay, so have the camera ready. Get an up close look at Fannette Island, wave to the sweaty hikers along the Rubicon Trail, then swim into a sandy beach or anchor in front of the gorgeous Vikingsholm Castle.
Even outside of an Emerald Bay visit, we consider this one of the best ways to experience Lake Tahoe. (And if you do want to rent a boat for yourself, check out our boat rental guide.)
Emerald Bay Boat-In Camping
As the adage goes, “the harder I work, the luckier I get.” And you’re going to need to work really hard to get lucky with a site at Emerald Bay’s boat-in campground area. One of the most coveted campgrounds in all of Lake Tahoe, access is by boat only (although hiking trails pass through it).
The campground has its own pier, you’ll be assigned your own personal buoy and several of the campsites are lakefront, complete with a mini, private beach. Although Bayview Campground—with car & RV camping—is on the other side of the inlet, you’ll feel like you have the whole of Emerald Bay to yourself when all the daytime visitors head home.
Come morning, you can sip coffee to an Emerald Bay sunrise, be the first to hit the trails to Eagle Falls or DL Bliss State Park, or cruise over for a sans-crowds visit to Vikingsholm Castle. Come afternoon, zip around Lake Tahoe on your boat, rent kayaks for a paddle out to Fannette Island or simply relax on the beach. It’s the best.
Thinking about spending the night? Our full Emerald Bay Camping Guide → covers both campgrounds in detail, including reservation tips and the best individual sites.
Our case is made. It’s just a non-negotiable. If you’re coming to Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park needs to be on your to-do list. And if you’re going, you might as well do it right.
Emerald Bay State Park—Frequently Asked Questions
Emerald Bay State Park is located on Highway 89, about 8 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. There’s a well-marked parking area and viewpoint pullout on the highway. There is also a shuttle that departs from both the west shore and South Lake Tahoe, with fares for $10 roundtrip. To access Vikingsholm Castle and the beach, park at the Vikingsholm trailhead and hike the steep one-mile trail down to the water. Note: the parking lot fills very early. Plan to arrive before 9am!
There’s no general admission fee to enter the park, hike the trails or scope it out from the viewpoints. Parking at the Vikingsholm trailhead costs $10/day or $3/hour. Camping at the Boat-In Campground and Eagle Point Campground requires reservations and nightly fees through ReserveCalifornia.com.
An Emerald Bay cruise is the best way to explore Emerald Bay. We’re biased, sure, but it really is the best. A private boat charter, scenic cruise, or even a rented kayak all deliver this experience at different price points. Hiking around the state park is great too—but if we had to choose just one, it’s the boat.
Yes. Kayaking in Emerald Bay is a well-loved option. It’s quick, fun and inexpensive. Kayak Tahoe operates a rental outpost right at the base of the Vikingsholm trail, so you can hike down first and then paddle from the beach. For more experienced paddlers, launching from Baldwin Beach and paddling the 4-mile round trip to Emerald Bay is a memorable full-day adventure. You can also book a kayak tour with Clearly Tahoe that handles all of the logistics and departs from the Tahoe Keys. The bay itself is calm and protected, making it ideal for kayaking.
Yes. The water in Emerald Bay is clean, clear, and stunning, although cold (typically 60–65°F on the surface in summer). The beach at the base of the Vikingsholm trail is the most popular swim spot. From a boat or kayak, you can also anchor in a cove and enjoy a private spot.
Fannette Island is Lake Tahoe’s only island, sitting in the middle of Emerald Bay. At the top is a small stone tea house built in the 1920s for the estate owner of Vikingsholm. You can paddle out by kayak and climb to the top for an iconic view of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe beyond, framed by the granite tea house window.
The trail from the Highway 89 parking area to Vikingsholm Castle is about 1 mile and drops approximately 500 feet in elevation. Most people reach the bottom in 20–30 minutes. The hike back up is tough, as it is all uphill. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour on the return.
Several Lake Tahoe cruise operators run regular trips through Emerald Bay, including the South Lake Tahoe options of: Rum Runner, Sail Tahoe Blue, the Bleu Wave, the Safari Rose, and the M.S. Dixie II (year-round from Zephyr Cove). From north Lake Tahoe, the best public Emerald Bay cruise option is Tahoe Gal. Private captained charters through operators like Boat Tahoe give you the most flexibility to anchor, swim, and explore at your own pace.
