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Where is Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, California?

Written by | Updated On: March 13, 2026, 13:58 ET

Emerald Bay State Park is located in California, USA. It lies between South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City and is situated on the western shore of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The park is famous for its beautiful emerald-colored bay, Fannette Island, hiking trails, and scenic lake views.

Emerald Bay State Park Location Map, South Lake Tahoe, California

Top Attractions Inside Emerald Bay State Park

  • Emerald Bay – Stunning turquoise bay perfect for kayaking, boating, and scenic photography.
  • Vikingsholm Castle – Historic Scandinavian-style mansion open for guided tours and exploration.
  • Eagle Falls – Scenic waterfall accessible via short hiking trails from the bay area.
  • Bay Hiking Trails – Trails offering panoramic views of the lake, bay, and surrounding mountains.
  • Camping & Picnic Areas – Facilities near the bay for day-use or overnight stays amid nature.
  • Boat Tours & Rentals – Options to explore the bay by kayak, canoe, or guided boat tours.
  • Wildlife Viewing – Opportunities to see birds, fish, and other local wildlife around the lake and forested areas.

Emerald Bay State Park Facts

Official NameEmerald Bay State Park
LocationSouth Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Latitude & Longitude38.9540° N, 120.1087° W
Total Area1,533 acres (620 hectares)
Established1953
FounderState of California / California Department of Parks and Recreation
Managed ByCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation
RegionLake Tahoe Basin, Northern Sierra Nevada
Address138 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
Zip Code96150
Area Code530
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZonePacific Time (PT) – UTC−8 Standard / UTC−7 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptNatural Scenery, Alpine Landscapes, Glacial Bay, Historical Landmarks
Key FeaturesVikingsholm Castle - Emerald Bay Overlook - Fannette Island - Eagle Falls - Rubicon Trail
Annual VisitorsApprox. 1–1.5 million
Entry Fee TypePaid Parking & Day-Use Fee
Entry Fee Range$10 per vehicle (day use)
ActivitiesHiking - Kayaking - Boating - Sightseeing - Photography - Picnicking
Best Time to VisitJune–September for warm weather; May & October for fewer crowds
Nearby AirportReno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) – 60 miles (97 km)
TransportationCar - Shuttle (seasonal) - Bicycle - Hiking access
Official Websitehttps://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21410

Distances from Emerald Bay State Park to Nearby Landmarks

  • Emerald Bay Visitor Center – 0 km (0 mi)
  • Vikingsholm – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
  • Fannette Island – 0.7 km (0.4 mi)
  • Lake Tahoe – 0 km (0 mi)
  • Castle Rock Trailhead – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Sugar Pine Point State Park – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Tahoe City, CA – 30 km (18.6 mi)
  • Sunnyside, CA – 10 km (6.2 mi)
  • South Lake Tahoe, CA – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Heavenly Mountain Resort – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Tahoma, CA – 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • Meeks Bay – 7 km (4.3 mi)
  • Camp Richardson – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Tahoma Beach – 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓÆµwood, CA – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Echo Lake – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Carson City, NV – 90 km (56 mi)
  • Incline Village, NV – 40 km (24.9 mi)
  • Stateline, NV – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Truckee, CA – 50 km (31 mi)

Top Places to Visit in California

Explore the most popular tourist places in California. The list below includes famous beaches, national parks, historic sites, and scenic attractions across the state, along with map locations.

Places (A -J)Places (J - P)Places (P - Z)
Alcatraz IslandJoshua Tree VillagePebble Beach 17-Mile Drive
Angel Island State ParkKings Canyon National ParkPebble Beach
Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkLa Jolla CovePfeiffer Beach
Badwater BasinLaguna BeachPinnacles National Park
Balboa IslandLake Shasta CavernsPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve
Balboa ParkLake Tahoe Scenic DrivePoint Reyes National Seashore
Bixby BridgeLassen Volcanic National ParkRedwood National and State Parks
Big Sur CoastlineMalibu BeachSan Diego Zoo
Big SurMalibu Creek State ParkSan Francisco Cable Car System
Bodie State Historic ParkMalibu Lagoon State BeachSanta Barbara Mission
Burney FallsMammoth Lakes BasinSanta Monica Pier
Carlsbad BeachMission DoloresSanta Monica State Beach
Channel Islands National ParkMission San Antonio de PaduaSequoia National Park California
Coronado BeachMission San Carlos BorromeoSonoma County
Crissy FieldMission San Juan CapistranoSonoma Wine Country
Crystal Cove State ParkMission San Luis Obispo de TolosaTahoe National Forest
Death Valley National ParkMission Santa BarbaraThe Broad Museum
Disneyland ParkMono Lake Tufa State Natural ReserveThe Exploratorium
Donner Memorial State ParkMonterey Bay AquariumThe Getty Center
Emerald Bay State ParkMount Lassen Peak TrailHenry W. Coe State Park
Fort Point National Historic SiteMount ShastaJ. Paul Getty Villa
Golden Gate BridgeMount Tamalpais State ParkThe Presidio
Golden Gate ParkMount WhitneyUSS Midway Museum
Griffith ObservatoryMount Whitney TrailThe Wave Organ
Griffith ParkMuir Woods National MonumentTorrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Hollywood SignNapa Valley Wine CountryTransamerica Pyramid
Hollywood Walk of FameNewport BeachUniversal Studios Hollywood
Joshua Tree National ParkPalace of Fine ArtsYosemite National Park
Joshua Tree Scenic Drive

Explore the complete list of places to visit in the United States, including national parks, cities, landmarks, and famous attractions.