Vikingsholm Beach
South Lake Tahoe, California · on Lake Tahoe · Emerald Bay State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Vikingsholm Beach
Vikingsholm Beach is a small lakeside beach at the head of Emerald Bay within Emerald Bay State Park, on Lake Tahoe's southwest shore in California, sitting below the 1929 Vikingsholm mansion. Reached by a steep, roughly 2-mile round-trip trail (or by private boat), it feels more like a hike-in swimming hole than a typical Tahoe beach, and it is an official day-use swim area with very clear but very cold water, one of Lake Tahoe's most distinctive places to swim.
Emerald Bay is a glacially carved, granite-walled inlet on Lake Tahoe's southwest shore within Emerald Bay State Park. Vikingsholm sits at the head of the bay, with Fannette Island (Lake Tahoe's only island, topped by a stone teahouse) just offshore, and the beach fronting the historic mansion is reached only by a steep foot trail or by boat.
Swimming at Vikingsholm Beach
Swimming takes place off small beaches at the head of Emerald Bay -- one directly in front of the Vikingsholm mansion, another about a mile north near a boat-in-only campground. The water is Lake Tahoe's typically very clear but very cold, with sudden storms and unexpected waves possible, and a buoyed exclusion zone south of the Vikingsholm pier separates swimmers from boat traffic. It suits capable swimmers comfortable in cold water rather than casual wading.
How to get to this swimming hole
Park at the Vikingsholm day-use lot on Highway 89 at the west end of Emerald Bay (or start from the Eagle Point Campground or D.L. Bliss State Park trailheads to the south and north) and follow the steep Rubicon/Vikingsholm Trail down to the bay; the beach can also be reached directly by private boat.
Parking: Emerald Bay State Park day-use parking at the Vikingsholm lot, plus trailhead parking at Eagle Point Campground and D.L. Bliss State Park; day-use fee applies, maximum vehicle length 18 ft, no overnight parking.
The hike in
Rubicon Trail (Vikingsholm segment)
- To the water
- about 1 mile one-way from the Vikingsholm lot
- Time on foot
- roughly 30-40 minutes down, 45-60 minutes back up for an average hiker
Difficulty: moderate on the way down, hard on the return climb -- steep and exposed rather than long; the park explicitly warns visitors with health, mobility, or recent-surgery issues not to attempt it, since there is no vehicle access out
Trailhead: Vikingsholm day-use parking lot on Highway 89 at the west end of Emerald Bay; can also be picked up from the Eagle Point Campground trailhead to the south or D.L. Bliss State Park trailhead to the north
California State Parks describes the descent as 'one mile in length and drops 500 feet in elevation,' i.e. roughly a 2-mile round trip with ~500 ft of elevation change concentrated on the climb back out; this is the trail's own full extent to the beach, not a segment of a longer through-trail
No shuttle or vehicle access to the beach; the only alternatives are hiking in/out or arriving by private boat.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The bay itself is calm and shielded from Lake Tahoe's open-water chop, but there are no lifeguards, the water is very cold year-round, sudden storms/waves can arise, and the only way out is a steep ~1-mile uphill hike (or boat) with no vehicle access -- fine for kids who can hike but not a casual toddler beach.
Parking
Paid, $10/vehicle day-use, or $3/hour
Main access is the Vikingsholm day-use lot on Highway 89 at the west end of Emerald Bay; additional trailhead parking at Eagle Point Campground (south) and D.L. Bliss State Park (north). Max vehicle length 18 ft; no overnight parking.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms at lake level about 50 yards from the Vikingsholm pier; additional seasonal restrooms (Memorial Day-Labor Day) at D.L. Bliss and the boat-in campground north of the beach.
Water clarity
Clear
Lake Tahoe is broadly known for exceptional water clarity, and Emerald Bay's water is widely described as crystal clear, though no site-specific Secchi-depth reading was found. Firsthand candid visitor reports on clarity at this beach have not yet been gathered to corroborate.
Hours
Sunrise to sunset (day-use only; overnight parking prohibited even with a backcountry permit)
On the water
Restrictions: 5 mph speed limit within 600 ft of shore; a buoyed swim-exclusion zone south of the Vikingsholm pier keeps boats away from swimmers; anchoring is only allowed at the west end of Emerald Bay; boats must be cleaned, drained, and dried before launching to prevent spreading aquatic invasive species.
There is no public boat launch/ramp at Vikingsholm itself; most boaters arrive by private boat from elsewhere on the lake, or paddle in from Baldwin Beach about 2 miles south, the nearest public car-top kayak/SUP launch.
Rentals nearby
Single kayaks, double kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards; this operator has a location directly at Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm in addition to Baldwin Beach, Pope Beach, and Nevada Beach
Prices: Single kayak $40/hr, $50/2hr, $110/full day; double kayak $55/hr, $85/2hr, $130/full day; paddleboard $40/hr, $50/2hr, $110/full day
On site at Emerald Bay near Vikingsholm, with parking at the Highway 89 scenic overlook · 10am-5pm, last rentals out by 4pm, return by 5pm
Boat, jet ski, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, plus a guided 'Vikingsholm Cruise & Tour' boat package that visits the bay
Prices: Rum Runner Cruise from $94; Vikingsholm Cruise & Tour package from $115.54
Camp Richardson Marina, roughly 2.3 miles from Vikingsholm
Backstory
Vikingsholm, a 38-room Scandinavian Revival mansion, was built in 1929 for Lora Josephine Knight and sold to the State of California in 1953 at roughly half its appraised value; it is now operated as a museum by Emerald Bay State Park, with guided tours available for a nominal fee.
Vikingsholm Beach: FAQ
Does Vikingsholm Beach charge a fee?
$10 per vehicle per day, or $3 for one hour, at Emerald Bay State Park.
Is Vikingsholm Beach kid friendly?
The bay itself is calm and shielded from Lake Tahoe's open-water chop, but there are no lifeguards, the water is very cold year-round, sudden storms/waves can arise, and the only way out is a steep ~1-mile uphill hike (or boat) with no vehicle access -- fine for kids who can hike but not a casual toddler beach.
How hard is the hike to Vikingsholm Beach?
A hike is required, about about 1 mile one-way from the Vikingsholm lot to the water (roughly 30-40 minutes down, 45-60 minutes back up for an average hiker). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Vikingsholm Beach?
Main access is the Vikingsholm day-use lot on Highway 89 at the west end of Emerald Bay; additional trailhead parking at Eagle Point Campground (south) and D.L. Bliss State Park (north). Max vehicle length 18 ft; no overnight parking.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Vikingsholm Beach?
There is no public boat launch/ramp at Vikingsholm itself; most boaters arrive by private boat from elsewhere on the lake, or paddle in from Baldwin Beach about 2 miles south, the nearest public car-top kayak/SUP launch.
What are the rules at Vikingsholm Beach?
Dogs are prohibited everywhere in the park, including the beach and trails, year-round; no campfires or smoking; boats must keep to 5 mph within 600 ft of shore and slow speeds throughout the bay; a buoyed swim-exclusion zone lies south of the Vikingsholm pier; boats must be cleaned, drained, and dried to prevent spreading aquatic invasive species.
What water body is Vikingsholm Beach on?
Vikingsholm Beach is on Lake Tahoe, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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