Emerald Bay

Tahoe’s famous bay, Fannette Island and a boat-in camp.

A narrow granite-walled bay on Tahoe’s southwest shore with the lake’s only island, Fannette, and the Vikingsholm mansion at its head. Most paddlers launch at Baldwin Beach and follow the cliffs 2 miles into the bay, or rent right at Vikingsholm after the 1-mile walk down. It suits confident beginners on calm mornings; afternoon wind and boat wakes can build fast.

At a glance

Classic paddle

Baldwin Beach to Emerald Bay, about 2 mi each way

Fannette Island

Lake Tahoe’s only island; closed Apr–May

Boat Camp

North side of the bay, 2-night max, ReserveCalifornia

Lake Tahoe Water Trail

72 mi around the lake, 20 marked launches

Parking

$10/day at the Vikingsholm lot; full by mid-morning in summer

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate

What’s here

• Flatwater
• Paddle-in camping
• Boat rentals
• Guided tours
• Paddleboarding
• Swimming

Rentals, guides and shops

• Kayak Tahoe

  Walk-up sit-on-top kayak rentals at Vikingsholm (inside the bay), Baldwin Beach, Pope Beach and Nevada Beach. You must be 15 or older to take your own boat to Fannette Island.

• Clearly Tahoe

  Clear-kayak tours of Emerald Bay launched from a tour boat that leaves the Tahoe Keys, plus rentals at Sand Harbor and Zephyr Cove.

Where to stay

• cabinCamp Richardson Resort

  Century-old lakeside resort with a historic hotel, cabins, the Beachside Inn and a campground, a short drive from Baldwin Beach.

  10 min drive
• hotelBasecamp Tahoe South

  Casual, outdoorsy hotel in South Lake Tahoe, about 20 minutes from the Baldwin Beach launch.

  20 min drive

Nearby

• Vikingsholm · At the bay

  Scandinavian-style 1920s summer mansion at the head of the bay. House tours run in summer and ended Sept 30 for 2026.

• Rubicon Trail · Starts at the bay

  Lakeshore trail from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay, with clear-water coves below. No dogs on the Emerald Bay end.

• Tallac Historic Site · 10 min drive

  Old Tahoe estates on the shore between Camp Richardson and Baldwin Beach.

• The Grove at Camp Richardson · 10 min drive

  Beachfront restaurant and bar at Camp Richardson, known for its Rum Runner.

Getting there

• Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) · about 1 hr 35 min drive
• Sacramento · about 2.25 hr
• San Francisco · about 3.75 hr

Directions in Google Maps