Emerald Bay Sp Boat-in Camp Area

Closed — Closed for the 2025 season. The campground operates seasonally from late spring through early September, with reservations opening in June.

About

Emerald Bay Boat-in Campground sits on the north shore of stunning Emerald Bay, approximately half a mile east of Fannette Island at the historic site of the old Emerald Bay Resort. This unique campground features 20 lakefront campsites accessible only by boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, or on foot via the Rubicon Trail. Mooring buoys are available for registered campers. The campground operates on a seasonal basis from late spring through early September. Each campsite includes a metal bear-resistant food locker (36 inches deep, 43 inches wide, and 22 inches high) for storing food and scented items. The campground provides restrooms and drinking water during the operating season. Dogs are allowed within the campground area but not on surrounding trails. There is no designated boat launch within Emerald Bay itself, so boaters must launch from nearby facilities and navigate to the campground. Small craft users should note that afternoon winds often pick up in Emerald Bay, making morning arrivals preferable. The location provides access to the Rubicon Trail, one of Lake Tahoe's premier hiking routes, and is near the historic Vikingsholm mansion and Fannette Island. The bay is also designated as an underwater state park, featuring California's first maritime heritage underwater trail with historic watercraft and barges. No vehicle parking is allowed overnight at the Vikingsholm parking lot, even with a boat camp reservation.

Directions

Accessible only by boat or on foot. By boat: Launch from a nearby facility and navigate to the north shore of Emerald Bay, about half a mile east of Fannette Island. No boat launch exists within Emerald Bay. By foot: Access via the Rubicon Trail from Eagle Point Campground or D.L. Bliss State Park.

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