Rubicon Trail Reviews

I didn't hike the entire trail because a friend was a bit sick and not about to do a 12 mile trail, but the 5 miles we did do were totally enchanting! We parked at the designated free parking space at the top of Emerald Bay State Park and walked down to the trailhead (parking wasn't as difficult as I thought since we came at 11AM/12 PM and most reviews said it was insane). You can park inside Emerald Bay state park directly at the trailhead for $10. It's a .5 mile ish walk downhill to the trailhead, which isn't marked super well, but follow the crowd and you'll get there. The trail is moderately trafficked but considering it was a perfect summer day, there really wasnt as many people as I was expecting. The trail is mostly flat except for the beginning and end. We didn't make it to DL Bliss, but I can say the Emerald Bay entry elevation gain wasn't bad at all. The trail is hospitable to almost all fitness types. The views are breathtaking along the trail and you're in shade for much of it. Once you hit the beaches the crowds get a bit much, but most of the trail is inside the woods with a view of the bay or along it. Vikingsholm is the only stop we know of which had bathrooms so savor your time there. Remember to bring water since there isn't many (or any?) pit stops for that along the way! Highlight: we saw a bear walking along the trail for a bit, she was super calm and docile so we just walked past (20ish feet away).

Highly recommended for family and friends!

We hiked this trail from Vikingholm to Calaway Cove and back. It was about 12 miles and took us about 4 hours including a stop to eat lunch. The trail was interesting without being too demanding. The views were absolutely stunning, we couldn't stop taking pictures. It was all so beautiful.

I recommend arriving early (8am) to get a parking spot as there aren't many spaces and they fill up quickly.

Hit the trail around 830 and didn’t see another soul for nearly 2 hours. Nice secluded beach/cove with only 1 other couple. More hikers started in around 1030ish. Glad we were on our own for the majority of the time. Absolutely breathtaking

In 48* weather with remnants of snow but plenty of sun this trail was worth every step. In the off season you need to park outside the barriers of Bliss Park. It will be approximately 4 miles round trip from your parking spot near the road to the lighthouse. Much of it is paved road until you hit the trail. It’s marked near the entrance and you’ll not be confused on where to go. We just wished there were periodic markers along the way to indicate how much further to specific destinations. But the view is worth every step.

For the nature lover, this is a must see!! We started at DL Bliss and followed the entire trail to Emerald Bay. There were many, many photo ops and breathtaking views. We took in every moment. We are kind of novice hikers so I believe this was quite an ambitious trail to start out. But it did not disappoint and we have no regrets.

Beautiful trail, easy to moderate hike, stunning views. One of the most scenic trails I have ever been on. We hiked in DL Bliss state park, mostly level hiking with some inclines but nothing difficult. Restrooms located at the beach parking area on the trail. Awesome trail to experience.

Started my hike from D.L. Bliss. I took the lighthouse trail around to the Rubicon trail, then to Vikingsholm and then to lower Eagle Falls. Then all the way back. Took me 6 hours with a couple stops and my fitness watch registered 12.75 miles (this includes the 1-2 mi walk each way from parking on the main road to the trailhead, since the park is still closed and I couldn’t park inside)
The hike is easy. Shaded most the way. I saw my first black bear in the wild. There is access to the lake in a few different spots. I would say the trail is the most pretty during early-mid day hours when the sun reflects off the water to show different hues of blue. Once the lake is shaded, it doesn’t have the same “wow” factor. There are different access points to the Rubicon trail. I think the absolute best way to do full hike would be to have a car parked at D.L. Bliss, and another car parked near Eagle Campground...that way you’re only walking one-way. I completed on 5/17/21 and the waterfall was raging.

I parked further up the mountain from the Pay State parking area. Parked above the gated off service road. It's paved with a few switchbacks. I was the only one hiking that day. It eventually meets up at the Rubicon trail at the pier and campground on Emerald Bay. Beautiful trail then continues along coast.

Do yourself a favor and add this hike to your list. D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park via Rubicon Trail is my favorite trail in Lake Tahoe. On the easier end of "moderate." Start early in the morning. The trail curves the shoreline with jaw-dropping views at nearly every turn. "Tahoe blue" should be a Crayola crayon color!

My friends and I hiked the entire trail. AllTrails says the out-and-back trail is 7.3 miles (when all was said and done, whatever we did, it was 9.5+). If you go all the way to the end, you can see Vikingsholm Castle and the "tea house," and take a little walk to see Eagle Falls (Pack a lunch in your backpack and take a breather at this mid-way point on the hike.)

It was relatively quiet, for long stretches where we didn't see other people. Most of the hike is along the coast, but a portion goes inland, where you'll get a nice respite from the sun. The entire trail felt safe, with guardrails at all the necessary points. (On the other hand, the road to Emerald Bay is white-knuckling!)

Bonus: If you park in the D.L. Bliss State Park ($10 per car in summer), it is a 1-minute walk to Lester Beach - you can relax after this hike!

Beautiful day. We parked at the Emerald Bay side before 9am and the lot was nearly full. Bring cash for the $10 parking fee and a pen! We hiked about 3 miles on the trail then turned around. Parts are flat and wide, and others are stone steps with decent elevation gain up and down. Great views, but super popular so be prepared to stop a lot to let people pass. Went for a dip on the way back. Very worthwhile.

If you are a real 4x4 offroader - this is the must-do place to drive and to enjoy - not for speed - not for competition - but just for the beauty of the trail - the nature - the surrouindings - and also for fantastic 4x4 offroad driving - keep the trail clean - drive slow and safely and the Rubicon trail will be a life-long memory for you.

The hike from DL Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park (and back) is shockingly beautiful. Literally hugs the cliff above crystal clear Lake Tahoe. Leave time to soak your feat in the lake afterward. A magical day, will not be forgotten.

Beautiful scenery. Somewhat difficult trail. Very long. You may need to park at one side and have someone else park at the end.

Gorgeous views right along the water, not too crowded, very peaceful and not too steep. It's a very long trail, so plan to go out and back as far as you like. I opted to pay the $10 to park near the trail head in D.L. Bliss and recommend that because otherwise it's a mile walk in and out, and I'd rather spend that time on the actual trail.

Sought out a lot of local advice on the best hikes to maximise our short trip here. Rubicon came up on most people’s recommendations of ‘must do’ hikes.
We started at Vikingsholm, which involves a steep switchback trail down from the car park. Views over the lake and small island are breathtaking.
The first few miles, takes you along the shoreline, through campsites and some of the most stunning scenery in Tahoe. The final third is pretty much featureless woodland, further in-land. We hiked for around 5 hours, out and back and didn’t see another soul. Really enjoyed it but not the ‘must do’ everyone said. Ready yourself for the long climb back up to the car park.

Basically this is a pretty long trail with great views. If you are not up hiking it all, start at DL Bliss state park and hike as long as you feel good then double back. Be sure and at least make it to the cliffs. If you do that much it's less than a mile and well worth it for the views.

We love this hike, though on summer weekends can be hard to get parking at DL Bliss state park. It's a fairly easy hike to Emerald Bay (wherr there are picnic tables and kayak rentals along the trail). The views are stellar, and when you get back to Bliss you can swim at one of two great beaches there.

Another hiking trail to hit but get there early as it gets crowded. You can park at either Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm or DL Bliss State Park and make the hike, hike is around 9-13
miles. Winds you up for great views and then down so your walking right by the water.

This is a popular trail, for good reason. You can tell you are in the Sierras with all the huge granite boulders, and then you look the other way to the huge blue Lake Tahoe. It was well maintained.

So we hiked from Vikingsholm to DL Bliss, which is what our books suggested (instead of hiking the opposite way). The hike itself is about 6 miles, and FANTASTIC. Great views all along the way, moderate exertion. For people who like to hike, this is an absolute MUST DO. If you only want to hike one way (and not 12 miles round trip), then you need to figure out a one way ride. Lots of folks told us many hitchhike back to their cars, but we weren't comfortable with that. A shuttle does run-- but only some days of the week. We ended up getting a cab (and spending WAY too much), so plan ahead if you can so you don't get stuck.

Beautiful trail, mostly level, just above Lake Tahoe so many awesome views of the lake and the Tahoe Basin. We took it from the DL Bliss State Park and hiked a couple miles there but looks like it would be an awesome hike back to or from Emerald Bay. Probably one of the most scenic trails I have ever taken. Restrooms are located at the beach parking area where the trail links up to the Lighthouse Trail. Not accessible trail but not difficult for anyone able bodied; saw several small kids on it.

Beautiful hike along the coast of lake tahoe. There are some parts with stairs or inclines, but nothing too challenging. Arrived around 8am at vikingsholm parking lot. Only about 10 other cars at that time, but people started pouring in soon after. Get there early to park in the lot, or you will add a lot of walking to dangerously park along the road.. Costs $10 for parking. Portapotties on site in parking lot. Leisurely hiked all the way to end and back at car by 3 pm.

I really enjoyed hiking the Rubicon Trail. And if you visit during the hot summer months and enjoy swimming be sure to bring your swimsuit, as there are several spots along the hike where you can take a cool, refreshing dip in Lake Tahoe.

Please note that if you are parking your vehicle at the D.L. Bliss State Park, and there are not any rangers present at the kiosk at the park entrance, then you must use the "Iron Ranger" self-pay station to pay the $10 dollar day use fee. I am not from California, and I was not familiar with the “Iron Rangers”, but they are common at many of the state parks. The iron ranger is a little green tube near the kiosk at the park entrance, and you just fill out a form (name, license plate number and other information required to complete the form) and make your payment. There are envelopes available which you will use to drop your payment in to the green tube. They accept cash and checks as payment.

This is a fun hike with a number of wonderful views. It is a long hike but not strenuous. The trail is well marked. Bring water.

Did a lot of trails around Tahoe and liked the views on this one best. Even if you only do a little starting at Bliss Park (it is a long trail) you won't be disappointed.

We made the mistake of ending our day here, so we didn’t complete the entire hike from DL Bliss to Emerald Bay. We did about half of it and ended with the Lighthouse Trail. Both are great trails with great views. The Rubicon is very well maintained and a good trail. Highly recommend this, but plan to spend the whole day and complete it.

This is a world-class quite easy hike.with spectacular views of Emerald Bay. The road to it is winding care should be taken to plan where to start as parking is limited.

Beautiful trail along Lake Tahoe. Whole trail is 11.2 miles I think. Our group did not make it all the way. We did 9 miles. Very pretty. Nice shade in the early morning but got bit hot so did not make it to end. There are some places to rest and enjoy lunch by the water. Bathroom station and small store about 1.5miles in. Trail seemed to be moderate. Wonderful views of the water with beautiful blues and greens.

Park at the D.L. Bliss check-in station and then you can do a loop with the Rubicon trail and Lighthouse trail down to Calawee Beach. Roughly 90 min round trip not including whatever time you spend on the beach, moderate hike with some ups and downs. Terrific views from the lower part of the trail. Good for kids too.

Be aware that the "lighthouse" is really a big box, more like a big empty lantern shell. But it was technically once a lighthouse. Just make sure you're not expecting much at that point. Kids may be disappointed if you say "we're going to a lighthouse!"

On the trail between the "lighthouse" and beach is an osprey nest that apparently gets occupied every summer. If you're there June thru Sept, look carefully for the nest and listen for baby osprey calls.

This was not worth trying to find a parking spot by any means. I recommend going to Sand Harbor instead.

If you're looking to get a good work out in and see unique views of the gorgeous lake, this shoreside hike is for you! Would do it 100 times over. We got to eat lunch on a picnic table in front of Vikingsholm and hiked about 10 miles total.

We hiked this trail in mid-October after many of the visitor centers and pull off's were closed. We wanted to hike as much of the Rubicon as possible so we decided to park and leave from the Vikingsholm parking area. It was still open and cost 10 dollars to park. There are other areas where you can get on the trail, however we wanted to see Vikingsholm anyway. We hiked from Vikingsholm to the 'Lighthouse' on the Rubicon. The total round trip from the car was right around 10 miles. As others have mentioned, the hike is relatively easy...its a slight uphill climb to the Lighthouse so we made it back faster than we went out. It took us 5.5 hours. You will want to save some energy for the .8 mile climb back up to the car as its a good incline. I recommend you hike as much of this trail as you physically can.

One side note, we planned to do this on a Monday as we heard it can get crowded on the weekend. We drove by the area on Sunday afternoon and wow was it PACKED. Cars parked everywhere. We arrived on a Monday at 9 and the lot was relatively empty. When we left at 2:30 the lot was full. Enjoy!

We hiked the Rubicon Trail at D.L. Bliss park for 4 hours. The trail is in great shape, clear paths and absolutely breath taking. The scenic hike has several 'stop and take this picture' moments.

We only did about 3/4 of the trail because we had to hike back up the mile at Vikingsholm to the parking lot & weren't sure if some of our group would make it. The trail is FANTASTIC....the mile hike up to the parking lot was NOT! I recommend starting this trail at the campgrounds & staying on the level trail....avoid that incline!

Go early to get a parking space and enjoy the fresh air and quietness. Not a tough hike up, take time to take photos too!

We spent a morning doing this hike over to Emerald Bay and back. Not overly challenging but most definitely beautiful the entire way. We would recommend this hike to anyone in the area.

This is one of my favorite hikes of my recent vacation to Tahoe. We had tried to go a previous day but DL Bliss gets full by 9 am AT THE LATEST. They do not let in cars as others exit, too hard to control so we were told by the ranger they allow entry again at 3:30 or so. We felt the afternoons too hot to begin a hike that late so returned on a Thursday at 8:05 am and drove right in. I will tell you the parking is very limited. There are 10 maybe spots at the juncture of the Rubicon and Lighthouse trailsheads, HOWEVER, you wouldn’t know that unless you parked and got out of the car and walked to the signs. We bypassed this spot as it’s not clearly marked as trail parking. Plus there are NO pit toilets here.

We continued all the way down to the end and begin hiking from Calawee Cove. The views and beach area from the parking lot are stunning! The bathrooms were locked when we were there but port-John’s are present. Again very limited parking here and we got the very last spot of maybe 10 that are here.

We hoped to make it to Boat Camp but after 2 hours we turned around. I don’t regret it because the water is so gorgeous and up too this point we walked beside the water. Once it became clear we were going to be hiking more interior we turned back and hiked to the Lighthouse on the return. Since I have bad knees I did not go down to the lighthouse but you can see it from the trail. It’s not in operation.

The hike is up and down, canopied and open sun. Not too bad for climbing over huge boulders but definitely a hike that requires you to look down and watch your step over roots, rocks and narrower passages. If you park on the road and hike back just be aware the trailhead is very deep into the park.

I highly recommend this hike. Take a hat and plenty of water and enjoy the views!

If you have the time, this is a MUST hike. Easy to park at either terminus and not difficult at all. Very well marked, trail hugs Lake Tahoe there and back and is breathtaking at times. You can do the whole 16 mile out-and-back or a piece of it, which is what I did. I parked at the small Eagle Falls parking lot (free) near the south end and walked over to the Vikingsholm upper parking lot and down the asphalt trail to the Lake, then hiked North on the Rubicon trail to the 1913 Rubicon Lighthouse on the north end, and back to my car for a total of 11 miles. It only took about 4 hours and I will do it again during my next visit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

This trail along Emerald Bay is relatively easy and very scenic. Pack your swimming gear and enjoy your efforts down at the beach near Vikingsholm. Bring along munchies...they're expensive and limited at the beach.

The views are just stunning around Emerald Bay. We started from the Vikingsholm parking lot and made our way down to the Rubicon, where there are lots of options and clear trails and trail markings to help you decide how far you want to go.

We walked from Vikingsholm to almost the end of the Emerald Bay left side. This is definitely one of the most beautiful hiking trails we've ever been to. The weather around Emerald Bay in July is very nice, not too hot. The hiking trail is pretty easy. Good spots for lake access.

Must go early in busy Summer season, before 9am for good parking. Otherwise you'll be forced to park on the busy road and walk about a mile to the trail head.

Excellent hike with lots of amazing views. We only did about 30 minutes in and 30 minutes out, not the whole trail. Bring lots of water if its hot, really heats up after 1PM. $8 for parking, but if you park on the road its free.

Trail goes around Emerald Bay - halfway is Vikingsholm which is an important stop in the Tahoe area - tripadvisor location of Vikingsholm is not correct

The views of Emerald Bay were spectacular most of the hike. We only walked part of the trail - from the top to the bay to go swimming before heading back up. We saw a lot of evidence of bears on the trail, but didn't see a bear. The trail is narrow enough that it makes passing other a bit difficult, but doable. I would definetly hike this trail again- but next time - the entire trail. Note: To get to the trailhead, you need to pay admission to the park and drive to the back parking lot. Park, walk around the parking lot to the left and near the little seating area, you will see the sign at the trailhead.

This was a perfect trail for us. We did 14 miles in Yosemite 3 days before so were not looking for anything strenuous. This trail offers excellent views of Lake Tahoe finishing with the falls. The walk on the road back up to the parking lot was killer. Thank goodness we had a ride waiting.

Hike from parking lot at Vikingholm was moderate down hill, but hike back up to parking lot is a bear. Being 71 years young it took us one hour to hike .8 miles.
Beautiful views of Emerald Bay

Access the trail primarily from DL Bliss state park. There is a $10 fee to enter the park and several parking areas. Still, on a nice day, parking was difficult to find. The trail is long but there are several places to make a loop or turn back. The views are excellent! Stay close to the trail, and be careful around the higher elevations. There are chains and poles where it gets very narrow, and plenty of places to step off and get on a rock formation for a better view. It is generally an easy hike, but there are several stairs and it can be a little taxing for an inexperienced hiker. There are restrooms at the beginning of the trail in the parking areas and lots of other places to explore at the park.

We hiked from Emerald Bay State Park/Vikingsholm past Emerald Point but didn't make it all the way to Rubicon Point. The entire way you hike next to the lake, with breathtaking views. Trail has only a few hundred feet of elevation gain, so it's pretty easy hiking. Get there early to park, though. We arrived at 9 and there was plenty of parking. When we got back at 2:30 the place was jammed with no spaces left and cars parked all along the highway.

We got to Emerald Bay state park early and had no trouble parking. The first trail we came to was the Rubicon and saw it went to the beach and Vikingsholm castle. Walked the trail all the way down. There were beautiful views along the way. After being at the beach for a little bit, continued on the trail but then decided not to go too far since we needed to head back up the mountain to get back to the car. Will tell you it was a challenge going back up being from Texas and not used to the altitude. But you can’t beat the views. Also off the trail you can get to Lower Eagle Falls which was very pretty.

We did a beautiful 10 mile hike to the light house and back! We did a lot of hiking on our vacation and this was by far our favourite trail. Very easy and the scenes are unreal! Bring water and a camera!

The Rubicon Trail is the most beautiful hike in all of the Tahoe Basin. The trail runs right along the shoreline, and there are spectacular views the entire way. You can start at either DL Bliss or Emerald Bay. The round trip hike is about 10 miles, but there are many options. Sometimes we leave a car at one end and just do a one-way hike. With visitors who cannot do the whole trail, we just do an out-and-back from DL Bliss as far as they are comfortable to hike. Any way you do it, it is a wonderful experience.

Easy access from DL Bliss State Park. Beautiful hike to Emerald Bay. Gorgeous views along the way. Several points to access the lake for a break or a swim.

We camped at the staging area near Tahoma where most would call the end and ran it backwards. Plenty of room for our truck campers and trailers and 1 big motor home with us but we were there midweek July. Traffic was low for the two day trip, pulling out for others was easy and no major break downs or blocked path. Camped on Loon Lake, plenty of room for our group of 6 jeeps. Exited out the other end and made our way around Emerald Bay back to the staging area. Bears visited that night getting into Jeeps and stuff, didn't hurt much and because we saw him coming, our one dog in the group was safely inside the camper for the night. Left on the 4th day from arriving to run the Fordyce Trail.

we parked at emerald bay ($10/car) and headed down the steep 1mi hill to the vikingsholm (castle replica) area. from here you'll see an island with a "tea house"- it looks like something out of a movie. there is a pit bathroom w TP at the bottom of the hill near the caste. it's a bit confusing there at the bottom of the hill when everything is closed in the off season but if you find the dock and the castle face the water and turn left to start the rubicon trail. we headed to bliss park (closed in off season so don't count on open restroom), passing through the boat camp site, and there were several forks along the way but in general the trail is well marked. i would say it's moderate difficulty. it's about 11-12mi total from emerald bay parking lot to bliss parking lot and back. the views are beautiful. the hill is tough on the way back up. there was moderate foot traffic. give yourself 4-5h. the water is so clear and blue. you'll see blue jays, chipmunks. worth the trip!

We did half the trail from D.L. Bliss (out and back) one day and the other half from Emerald Bay another day, so we covered the entire trail. The trail was mostly level with some steep sections. It was well maintained and had excellent views.

Our group started at the Bliss State Park. We arrived at the gate around 8AM, and the gatehouse wasn't open yet. We didn't realize we could drop off the entry fee in an envelope. Drove to the trailhead where we spoke to a Ranger who told us we had to drive back to the gate, fill out the envelope with the $10 fee and tear off the tab as a permit to park at the trailhead.
Things went better after that. The trailhead is well marked, and the trail is pretty easy to follow except around the campground and near Vikingsholm. The views over the lake are very attractive, although parts of the trail traverse wooded areas away from the shoreline. There is more elevation gain and loss than expected for a lakeshore route, and the entire in and out trip from the State Park to Lower Eagle Falls and back is nearly 11 miles. Two of our group did the entire route. Two of us returned to the Vikingsholm parking lot up by the highway. The mile walk up from Vikingsholm to the parking lot is a trudge up an access road, in full sun for the most part. Two others had returned to the State Park after hiking an hour or so and were waiting for our call to come and pick us up. We then returned to the Park to pick up the others who had done the complete round trip.
All in all, the Rubicon is a worthwhile hike, and affords nice lake views and varied options if you don't wish to do the entire round trip.
You just need to be aware of your options and plan accordingly.
Note: once you get to Vikingsholm, you have to walk up to the parking lot. There is no shuttle.

The Rubicon trail runs from Emerald Bay Park to DL Bliss State Park. DL Biss is currently closed (July 2024), so the only way to get to the trail is from Emerald Bay.

The best way to access the trail is by parking at Vikingsholm parking lot and then taking the 1 mile trail down to the water level (near the Emerald Bay Visitor Center) and starting the trail right by the Vikingsholm building. From there you can take the Rubicon trail out of the bay towards the open water and back.

Parking does fill up here- so you'll want to try to come early in the morning. It's $10 for a day pass to park. The hike back up to the lot is fairly steep so there are signs warning folks to not go down if they are not confident they can't make it back up.

The Vikingsholm parking lot is also where the Emerald Bay Overlook is- which is a great view!

There are not flush toilets in this park- only vault toilets- but they aren't bad. Just bring hand sanitizer with you. (There are porter-potties at the parking lot. )

From this area you can also access lower Eagle Falls - which is more impressive than Upper Eagle Falls. Lower Eagle Falls is a short (20 min out and back) hike- but it is uphill.

This is an awesome site to visit any time of the year. Beautiful views and amazing stuff.Need to check and see if Hwy 89 is open because of snow though

We walked this trail at the end of October and it was amazing. Well worth the time of finding a parking spot.

I hiked the Lighthouse Trail at D.L. Bliss State Park by myself and early in the morning (don't care for the heat!). Not too rigorous--the views of the lake from up there are stupendous.

I never tire of doing this hike the views are truly unbeatable. Its a medium-difficulty hike, my five and seven year old love it too!

This is my first couple trip with my husband without our son. Easy incline in the first mile walk then it gets a bit rocky. Lots hidden sanctuary with peaceful and gorgeous view makes me want to come back every year.

The Rubicon Trail is down near the Vikingsholm area. After going down the Vikingsholm trail you will find it.

This is a scenic trail along the western edge of Lake Tahoe.
Arrive early if you want convenient parking

Probably the most scenic hiking trail I have ever been on. An easy to moderate skill level with spectacular lake views and access trails to beach level.

This trail skirts the Lake Tahoe shoreline. We hiked from Eagle Point (Emerald Bay) Campground to DL Bliss. The hike has great views of the bay and the lake, and goes up into the forest between the north shore of Emerald Bay and DL Bliss. It then goes back down to the lake, where part of it is cut into a granite cliff—there are chains, so it’s safe. The hike isn’t too difficult, though it’s a bit long at 7.2 miles for the segment we hiked. However, parts do involve uphill climbs, which can be tough given the altitude, so take it slow if needed. Also, there’s no easy way to get back from DL Bliss, so you may want to park a car there if you don’t want to hike 7.2 miles back.

This is about the only hike alone the shore of Lake Tahoe. It is mostly in DL Bliss State Park and ends up in Emerald Bay at Vikingshome. Easy hike with some ups and downs. Stunning views of the lake.
We have done this hike many times and will be back.

Park the car at D.L. Bliss and begin a lovely hike to Emerald Bay. The hike includes seeing huge pine trees and a forest area, then along Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay. The water is so clear and changes in colors as you walk along the path. You can walk as much as you want and turn around and go back to your car. There is a restroom at the Boat pier, approximately 3.5 miles from the parking lot.

Take water with you, remember to pack all of your belongings (trash) and don't litter along the path. We did take a picnic lunch and found a nice location along Emerald Bay to eat. Parking can be challenging but there are other places further from the trailhead. There is a restroom at the trailhead. Wonderful hike in the Emerald Bay area.

Rubicon Trail took visitors down to the water level where visitors can also visit Vikingsholm, an older villa built by the beach at the end of the trail. The small beach wasn’t as scenic as other parts of Tahoe, but the swimming area was pleasant enough despite the cold water temperature even in July.

Fantastic 3 days driving along what is considered the toughest trail in the USA.

The JJUSA crew did a great job getting everyone through the trail with minimal carnage. Once at Rubicon Springs they did an even better job of feeding, entertaining and getting to know us.

Will run the trail again in 2 years on the anniversary of the 25th JJUSA Rubicon.

Gorgeous and well marked trails with amazing views. Lovely vies of lake, mountains and surrounding areas. Eagle falls trail is pretty as well. Limited resources in winter, no restrooms or tours. No dogs allowed.

I completed the full trail from the start at the campground, to Callawee Cove and back (approx. 13 miles). It was by far the most beautiful and joy-filled hike I have ever taken. I saw a bear cub (and of course avoided it because I knew Mama wouldn't be far!), stunning historic locations, and some of the most beautiful water of Tahoe.

The trail offers spectacular views and is very well maintained with several access points along the lake. It's a great hike.

This was our first hike on a 2 Week Rd. trip that will include five days in Yosemite. We hiked the Emerald point Trail portion for about a 6 mile round trip. There were some great views and pictures and we had lunch along the bay. This is very family friendly since you can decide how far you want to walk and just make it an out and back.So glad we did this one!

Starting at the gate to D. L. Bliss State Park run down hill on the tarmac road to join the Rubicon Trail. Follow the lake shore trail through in to Emerald Bay to the base of Eagle Falls. Then a short run up hill along the road and you'll find your parked car. Approx a 16km loop. Mostly flat. Beautiful sights the entire route. Trail not too busy.

My Son took me thru here a couple years ago. Fun time thru the rocky passages. Take a serious off-road vehicle.

Beware...this trail is so beautiful you might accidentally go way too far and then realize you have to hike all the way back, too. :)

Absolutely beautiful! We walked down to the beach area by Lester Cove. I 100% recommend this hike for the beautiful views!! Well maintained too

Great little hike in Tahoe around very beautiful parts of the lake. Definitely recommend. Not too hard to do in proper shoes. Perfect start to our vacation. Parking was a little full but it was a beautiful day.

We are new to hiking and this trail provided both ease and incredible views of Lake Tahoe. If you only do one trail here, make it this one!

We did the hike to the lighthouse and part of the Rubicon Rim trail. Good exercise. Strenuous in parts but mostly moderate. Worked off my breakfast.

We hiked from the campsite off 89 down to Emerald Bay and the Waterfall. It was about 1.6 miles one way of easy hiking on a well worn trail. The views were amazing of Emerald Bay and it was just gorgeous. The waterfall was beautiful and the house was interesting but closed when we were there. Great day!

This was one of my favourite trails. Make sure to get their early for parking, we parked near the trailhead and found it easy to find. The trail itself is interesting and the view of the lake is breathtaking. Lots of opportunities for photographs and could detour for the Lighthouse trail and also head to the beach/cove to get your toes into the sand!

the trail is easy and winds you along some popular (campground) beaches and offers various views of the mountains and lake, but the BEST PART of the trail is the small, rustic, unique lighthouse. You aren't going to find the standard house-sized maritime lighthouse... but instead something that looks like an outhouse, barely big enough for one person, but with it's very own history and claim to fame.
If you're in the Emerald Bay area, you should save time to check it out!

I started at D.L. Bliss and parked right by the trailhead. I got there around 8 am. I probably didn’t see anyone else for the first hour. The closer I got to Vikingsholm the more crowded it got. That is where I turned around. The views are absolutely amazing. There are a few spots along the trail with steps that lead right to the water. That’s where I took a couple of breaks. When I got back to the parking lot I took the stairs down to Calawee Beach. A good little beach to dip your feet in after a long hike. Absolutely loved this hike.

14 miles out and back along the lake. Crowded in spots especially near Emerald Bay. Some good photo opportunuties of the lake mostly.There are so many beautiful trails near Lake Tahoe that this one kind of fades in my memory.

Hiked trail and enjoyed the great views of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. Much of trail was in shade, which was a nice bonus. Highly recommend for a hike.

have taken this hike several times before. Beautiful views of lake along the trail. Many photo opportunities.

The few parking spots are not enough for the tourists they let in here. Amazing that the non control and pure commercial activities are let happen in this beautiful place.

Did a small portion of the trail from DL Bliss towards Emerald Bay. Early in the morning, before 8 am no one was on the well used trail and it was lovely. By 9 am though lots of folks going the same way down to Emerald Bay as we hiked back up to the campground. None the less a lovely stretch of Lake Tahoe shoreline.

This is a really nice long distance trail with beautiful sights. It tracks down along the water and loops back. I recommend going into D.L Bliss State Park and paying the $5 day use fee to park down by the beach parking lots. There are limited spots at the top for free parking but you have a bit of a walk to the trail. The $5 is the cheapest you will find to get into any of the parks up in that area and I believe it is well worth the price to drive and park down closer to the water.

You can take a short hike and cut up to the Lighthouse Trail and circle back if you are limited on time. It will take less than two hours if you do this route. If you download the All Trails app, you can view the trail options for short cuts. There aren’t many, so plan accordingly.

You’ll have many opportunities for picture taking. There are fewer people here and you won’t see many kids on this hike. It isn’t a difficult hike, but there are some steep areas and a few high steps. My 63 year old mother made it without any problems. There are some rest areas with benches along the way.

The beach area is nice and has a picnic area.

This hike was absolutely beautiful! We went in early October 2019 and started in the D.L. Bliss SP. We turned around at Eagle falls and it was the most beautiful hike and the perfect distance for us!

One of my favorite hikes on the planet, this trail runs along Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe. The portion near Emerald Bay can get a little busy on holidays, but the trail is long enough to give sense of solitude in a serene setting. Absolutely gorgeous place.

We parked on the road which is not very safe but free. Trail starts at the base of a road and winds along the lake. Gorgeous views, swimming and picnicking spots. Not too difficult but save ene by for the climb back.

This park is great for hiking, it has good paths and wonderful views. There is little snow but the path is dry. My dog loved this walk. Great place for a family hike

This trail will absolutely be a staple on any future South Lake Tahoe trips I make. The trail was easy to navigate, not too strenuous, and the views of both the lake and the colors of the mountainside were breathtaking.

PARKING
We got to the area on a Monday morning in June around 10. We tried to park in the Vikingsholm parking lot (which is not terribly big to begin with) but it was full and there were plenty of cars waiting to find spots. We turned back around to the even smaller Eagle Falls parking lot but that too was full. We managed to find street parking though that too is fairly limited. By the time we got back though there were tons of cars parked in tow away zones that clearly just figured there was strength in numbers. There is a small fee to park at Vikingsholm but street parking is free.

GETTING TO THE TRAIL
From the Vikingsholm lot, you'll find the trail head. You'll start by going down a fairly steep hill that's roughly .5 - .75mi. Coming back up this hill on your way back will probably be the most strenuous part of the hike so just remember to factor in this extra mile or so when planning your time + water. When you get to the bottom you'll see a sign directing you to the right for Eagle Falls. Turn left to go to the Rubicon Trail. We started down by the dock and were able to see a lot of swallowtail butterflies along the sand.

ON THE TRAIL
* The actual Rubicon Trail is 4.5mi but it is an out and back trail so if you go the entire way you're looking at closer to 10mi round trip + getting to the parking lot. You can always turn back whenever you like if you're getting tired or are short for time.
* Once you're on the trail it's pretty straight shooting. You'll walk along the lake for a good portion of the trail. At one point fairly early on, there will be a split that directs you either up or continues along the water - take the higher ground.
* Around 2mi in to the actual trail, you'll come to a campsite. Get on the asphalt and follow this for a quarter mile or so and it'll shoot you back to the trail. (There's trash cans and bathrooms here if you need either of those.)
* Around 3mi in you'll come to a little waterfall runoff crossing. Your shoes will probably get wet here and if you're a little unstable walking sticks might come in handy, but this isn't terribly big. *Full disclosure, this is where we unfortunately had to turn around because we were cutting it short for other plans we'd made. This trip took us about 4 hours.*
* Parts of the trail are shaded by the big, beautiful redwoods and there's many places to set up an impromptu picnic or jump in the lake, so pack your snacks and layers!
* If you enjoy stopping take pictures or soak in the view, plan on the full hike taking 6-7 hours.

GEAR
Water is a must. We felt a little lightheaded towards the end of the hike but that could very well be due to the altitude. Trail shoes or hiking boots aren't necessary but highly recommended to protect from some of the gravel/a few slippery rocks.

I will ABSOLUTELY be doing this trail again the next time I go back!

We did the Rubicon Trail with the Jeep Jamboree and the trail is a never-ending obstacle of rocks and boulders that never stop. Do not do this trail alone!! Great fun but lots of high level stress.

We parked at the Emerald Bay parking lot and walked down to Emerald Bay. Be sure to get there early to get a parking spot as parking is limited. The walk down to Emerald Bay was not bad at all since it was downhill but after hiking Rubicon it was pretty tough getting back up the incline. But completely worth it! The Rubicon Trail was beautiful, parts were flat and others were steep and rocky. Definitely a must do!

This trail has a great view of the ocean as you are walking. Not a lot of altitude changes so good for a starting hiker. Extremely well maintained trail.

This was a moderate hike with great views. We saw osprey and bald eagles that were nesting in the trees. Bring water, bug spray and sunscreen. You can rent kayaks and paddle around emerald bay.

Great hike! We came her on Labor Day Weekend on the Sunday to park @ DL Bliss Park. After reading all of these reviews, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find parking...we arrived @ DL Bliss around 9am, and there was actually plenty of parking!! The hike itself is as what everybody has been saying...very scenic, you are hiking on the side of emerald bay the whole way so theres always water to see! Lots of shade as well. No dogs were allowed, and we did see at least 1 ranger so be careful! When you reach Emerald Bay, be sure to rent a kayak ($25/hr for one person kayak) and sail to the tea house island! Don't forget to grab a popsicle at the Visitors Center as well! We loved the hike, it was about a 8 mile hike altogether but I wouldn't say its a moderate hike..I'd say in between easy-moderate, as there are still inlines you have to do.

This was a nice hike with a visit to Vikingsholm and access to swim along the trail. parking was difficult to find around 1030am, but many spots along the road were open by about 230pm.

We dropped the younger members of the family at D.L Bliss State Park. They hiked from there to the beach at the head of Emerald Bay (3.5 miles) , called Vikingsgold. My husband and I, who are over 50, drove back around to the other end of the trail at Emerald Bay Park, and made the 1.6 mile hike to the same beach and met the "kids." The trail was gorgeous in both directions - the shorter trail on the East is slow and sloping. This beach is worth a visit, because of its beauty and seclusion.

This is the most beautiful trail with gorgeous views of the turquoise water and interesting rocks, etc...We have to do this hike every time we come up to Tahoe. So incredible! And an easy hike too

Gorgeous trail with great views of Lake Tahoe, and a water fall. We started at Emerald Bay state Park and hiked down to the beach and the boat camping before turning around. It was a short hike about 3-4 miles rnd trip. Great views!

We hiked on this trail from the D.L. Bliss campground at the last weekend of August. The weather cooperated as it wasn’t very hot.

It was an easy hike at first and not much of an elevation gain. The trail is well kept and the view of Lake Tahoe from above is just so beautiful. The crystal clear water lake surrounded by a lot of green trees is wonderful to gazed at. The blue skies complimented the sparkling blue-green color of the lake.

Lighthouse Trail: (!!!)
We went to see the Lighthouse (near a cliff) and made a loop to go back to our campground using the Lighthouse Trail. The lighthouse trail is all uphill! Please do not use this trail if you’re not physically fit- it will be mentally and physically challenging as it is all uphill and steep. I had to take few stops to rest and catch my breath. It might also have something to do with the elevation being at almost 7,000’ high. So be prepared. I would do this again but not take the lighthouse trail and just use the Rubicon trail.

The Rubicon Trail is one of the best long trails in the Lake Tahoe area. The hike could start from Eagle Point in Emerald Bay State Park and go all the way to Calawee Cove in the north over a distance of about 7 miles (oneway). The trail wraps around the Emerald Bay and provides gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe the whole way. There are several intermediate access points to get on the trail. Water is available at campgrounds along the trail, though it is insurance to carry water, especially on hot days. The trail is very well maintained and easy to follow. At the north end there is an alternate trail that goes by the old lighthouse; be aware that this section is a pretty steep climb.

Even just a small part of the Rubicon Trail should be on the 'must do list' for any nature lover. It is an awesome trail with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe.

It's certainly not a hard hike, but if you do the full 12.6 miles (out and back) it makes it a bit more difficult. The views are great and the incline/decline isn't too bad. We started at 10:30am and finished at 3:30pm. Coming back the sun was hitting the water in just the right way and the color of the water was surreal. This was our only hike in Lake Tahoe but I felt like it gave us a good look at what the lake had to offer. Needless to say, Lake Tahoe is beautiful.

We hiked the popular Rubicon Trail making a loop from the parking lot in DL Bliss State Park along the steep shores of Lake Tahoe, passing under the lighthouse, to Calawee Cove, then back to the lighthouse (topside), returning to our car. There's many ways to hike to the historic lighthouse depending on how much time you want to spend. This is the only remaining lighthouse on Tahoe's shores (originally there were 4 operating during the early 20th century).

We only did a small portion from DL Bliss state park past the light house and back into the South end of the park. It was beautiful and would love to do more someday.

A group of us (20) in 4 cars hiked this trail from DL Bliss State Park to Vikingsholm and back this past weekend. We arrived at DL Bliss at 830am and were fortunate to find ample parking for all four cars at the Rubicon Trailhead. The trail was fairly easy for us. The view was just beautiful. It took us about 1.5 hrs to get to Vikingsholm with plenty of stops in between to take pictures and eat snacks. Bring lots of water and snacks to enjoy the trail and view. There are a few coves and turnouts with steps to get down to enjoy the lake.

If you plan to start at DL Bliss State Park go by 9am on weekend to get parking

The family hiked 1.7 miles down to the emerald bay, 23 bear sightings from hikers, but we saw not a one. The water was cold with water falls near by. Water was so pretty and cold.

We went from D.L. Bliss to Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay State Park and back so about 9 miles. It is a very nice hike with amazing views. It’s not too intense with total elevation gain of 1200 ft or so. Good parts of the trail with trees shading and generally a very enjoyable route.

Amazing and breathtaking views, long trail make sure you have in off time to do it before dark so you can get to one end,sunset views are to die for