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Emerald Bay (Vikingsholm Beach)
West Shore · CA · California State Parks
Tahoe's iconic postcard view, with a steep one-mile hike down to the beach and the Vikingsholm castle.
Reservation
Not needed
Cost
$10 per vehicle, or $3 per hour.
Parking
Paid Vikingsholm lot, plus overflow at Eagle Point and D.L. Bliss. Notoriously fills early.
Dogs
No dogs on the beach
Access
Hike-in
Fills early
Yes, arrive early
Dogs
No dogs on any land at Emerald Bay: beaches, trails, the road down, Vikingsholm or Fanette Island. Enforced year-round.
Getting there
A steep one-mile hike down to Vikingsholm and the beach (about 2 miles round trip, 400 ft of climb back out). Strenuous, and there are no rides out.
What's there
RestroomsDrinking waterPicnic tablesVisitor centerKayak & SUP rentals
Best for
sceneryclear waterhiking
Sources: parks.ca.gov · tahoepublicbeaches.org