D. L. Bliss State Park

Pines above a Tahoe beach, just north of Emerald Bay.

Back open in 2026 after a multi-year waterline project, this 1930s campground sits in the forest above Lester Beach on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, a couple of miles north of Emerald Bay. The Rubicon Trail follows the shore to Vikingsholm, and the clear water off Rubicon Point is made for kayaking, swimming and snorkeling. Parking pads are small, so it suits tents, vans and short trailers.

At a glance

Sites

165, no hookups

Nightly

$35; $45 at the beach camp

Reservations

ReserveCalifornia, 6 months ahead

Max trailer / motorhome

15 ft / 18 ft

Showers

Hot showers (tokens) for campers

What’s here

• Tent sites
• Showers
• Lake or riverfront
• Swimming beach
• Pets allowed

Gear, rentals and guides

• Kayak Tahoe

  Sit-on-top kayak and paddleboard rentals at Emerald Bay, Baldwin Beach and Pope Beach. Closed for 2026; reopens May 29, 2027.

• Tahoe Adventure Company

  Guided kayak tours, including clear-bottom kayaks, plus guided hikes, bike trips and snowshoeing.

Where to stay

• cabinTahoma Meadows Cottages

  Cottages in the pines on the west shore.

  15 min drive
• cabinZephyr Cove Resort

  Cabins and lodge rooms on the Nevada shore, where the Emerald Bay cruises leave.

  40 min drive
• hotelThe Landing Tahoe

  Upscale lakefront hotel and spa in South Lake Tahoe.

  25 min drive

Nearby

• Rubicon Trail · From camp

  Five miles one way along the shore from Calawee Cove past Vikingsholm to Emerald Bay; the 0.9-mile Lighthouse Trail makes a shorter loop.

• Emerald Bay State Park and Vikingsholm · 10 min drive

  A 1929 Scandinavian-style mansion at the head of Emerald Bay, reached by a steep mile-long walk or the Rubicon Trail.

• Sugar Pine Point State Park · 15 min drive

  Lakeshore trails, a beach and the historic Hellman-Ehrman mansion.

• West Shore Cafe · 20 min drive

  Lakefront restaurant with a pier and deck in Homewood.

Getting there

• Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) · about 1 hr 30 min drive
• Sacramento · about 2.25 hr
• San Francisco · about 3.75 hr

Directions in Google Maps