There are incredible hiking trails in and around Emerald Bay State Park. Below are a couple of the top hikes. For a more information on hiking trails, please see map below, or call the Vikingsholm Visitor Center at 530. 541.6498. The Visitor Center opens it’s summer season on Memorial Day weekend 2012.
• This trail starts at Eagle Falls Picnic Area, highway 89 across from Emerald Bay. Permits are required on this hike and a self-registration station is at the trailhead. The hike is only about 2 miles round trip to Eagle Lake (only about 1/3 mile to the falls); the terrain varies from steep to flat and crosses beautiful Eagle Falls on a steel footbridge.
• Trail starts at the parking area on the north side of Emerald Bay, on Highway 89. It's a wide, well-maintained trail, but fairly steep, about 2 2 1/2 miles round trip. At the bottom of the trail is a picnic area, as well as world-famous Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle.
Vikingsholm is noted for its outstanding architecture and scenic location. It represents an era of gracious living. Days at Vikingsholm were not filled with one thrilling event following another. Instead, each day blended into the next in the relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. Mrs. Knight arrived each summer in mid June and stayed until the middle of September. She usually had a staff of approximately 15. A caretaker and his family lived on the property all year around. Four or five yardmen were hired locally each season to care for the grounds. The rest of the staff came from Mrs. Knight's winter home in Santa Barbara and consisted of her private secretary, personal maid, cook, assistant cook, pantry maid, serving maid, upstairs maid, chauffeur, assistant chauffeur, and laundry women. Mrs. Knight enjoyed entertaining and had a number of guests visiting during the summer months. At times, ten to twelve guests would be staying at Vikingsholm.
During the day guests enjoyed swimming, hiking, horseback riding, or trips around the lake by car or by boat, planned by Mrs. Knight. Gracious hospitality was continuously extended to guests. An example of such hospitality was the care of guests' automobiles. They were washed, serviced, and filled with gas shortly after arrival. If a guest drove his car on a trip around the lake anytime during his visit, even it is was only for a distance of 10 to 15 miles, the car was immediately washed and filled with gas upon its return.
We invite you to tour Vikingsholm. The 2015 season runs May 23-September 30. You may purchase tickets at the Vikingsholm visitor center. Tours begin at the bay door of the mansion. $10 for adults, $8 for 7-17years and students, Under 7 years are free. Call our office for more information or to arrange for a private goup tour at 530-583-9911.
Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. It is the final resting place for many boats launches and barges used on the lake. These date from before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and the time of the construction of Vikingsholm (1929).
Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. As a scuba diver in Emerald Bay, you will enjoy an experience unavailable to most visitors to the lake. You have the opportunity to view and touch the artifacts of an age long past.
Emerald Bay State Underwater Park is the resting place for many boats launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm.
Please be aware as you view and enjoy these artifacts that we all have the responsibility of protecting them for others to see and enjoy. All artifacts you find while diving in the State Parks are protected by state law and may not be taken or disturbed regardless of size or value.
In 1994 the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation installed a mooring buoy at the barge dive site located on the southern shore of Emerald Bay. Two historic barges lay in 35' of water at this site. This is also the location of a dumpsite possibly used by Emerald Bay Resort and others from 1884 until 1953. Small artifacts from the dump may be found at the Northwest corner of the western most barge. Please leave in place all artifacts you may find.
Emerald Bay Resort was situated on the North shore of Emerald Bay where Boat Camp is currently located. If you dive in this area you will find a variety of artifacts from the resort including telephone batteries, old tires, sinks, toilets, an old pier, a diving platform, at least five dories and two launches. One diver even reported seeing a model A Ford!
Fannette is the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe. It is located in beautiful Emerald Bay on the west shore of the lake. A sparsely timbered, brush covered upthrust of granite that rises 150 feet above the water, Fannette Island was not always known by that name. During the past 100 years it has been known as Coquette, Fannette, Baranoff, Dead Man's, Hermit's, and Emerald Isle. Fannette was the name that finally stuck.
Geologists know that Emerald Bay was gouged out by glaciers thousands of years ago. So why did Fannette Island remain? It is believed that the island is a resistant rib of granite rock, which was overridden by the glacial ice.
The stone structure on top that looks like a miniature castle is the "Tea House" built during the same time that Vikingsholm was constructed, from 1928-29. After being transported to the island by motorboat, Mrs. Knight and her guests would occasionally be served tea there. A small fireplace in the corner and a large oak table and four oak chairs in the center of the 16 by 16 foot room gives it a very rustic appearance.
Camping is prohibited and dogs are not allowed on the island. Kayak Tahoe rents kayaks in Emerald Bay to help you explore the bay and the island. Call 530-544-2011 for more information.