Emerald Bay State Park Lookout — Attraction in South Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay State Park Lookout is a highly popular tourist destination for anyone exploring Lake Tahoe's western shore. This scenic overlook not only provides stunning opportunities for photography but also allows visitors to fully experience the natural splendor of Emerald Bay. Views of Fannette Island further enhance the area's scenic charm, making it a captivating stop for those seeking the beauty of Lake Tahoe's landscapes. On the right, visitors can admire Eagle Falls and its surroundings, which are a perfect blend of nature's beauty.

During peak seasons, parking at Emerald Bay State Park Lookout can be quite limited, so it's advisable to arrive early or consider visiting during off-peak times to secure a spot. There is a parking fee of $10.00 to access the lookout area.

From this location, a trailhead leads to Vikingsholm beach, requiring a hike of approximately 15 to 30 minutes downhill, depending on your pace. The beach can only be reached by foot; there is no vehicle access. The trail offers stunning scenic views and is a favored route for visitors to reach the picturesque Vikingsholm Castle and the beach on the shores of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe.

This destination is not just a place to admire the view; it serves as a gateway to explore more of Emerald Bay State Park's attractions. Whether hiking to Eagle Falls, exploring Vikingsholm, or taking in the panoramic vistas, Emerald Bay State Park Lookout offers a memorable experience for visitors...

05.03.24 Beautiful views of Emerald Bay as well as a lot of Lake Tahoe (too vast to view all in one go). Eagle Falls can be seen to your right at viewing area, trails lead down to the Falls or the Bay but we didn't go being seniors with a service dog! Seemed like a long steep hike. Port-O-Potties available for use located here.

Driving to/from the location via Emerald Bay Rd is very scenic but scary as cliff drops are super far and it's a narrow winding 1 lane Rd in each direction without any shoulder borders for most of the road. There are 180-320 degree turns with mph ranging from 5-15 there.

Less crowded when visiting in...

A great place to stop and take in the amazing views of the lake or Emerald Bay, or park to take a hike down to see Vikingshelm and the beach. This is a very busy stop, and has limited parking, so go early or expect to wait, especially on weekends or holidays. There is a $3 per hour parking fee (or $10 for the day) that you must pay at the kiosk, then display the parking pass on your dash. There are several viewing platforms with amazing panoramic views, and many people choose to climb on the rocks adjacent to the parking area to get that perfect camera shot or selfie. Put it on your list of “must stops” when you are driving...