Balancing Rock Nature Trail - DL Bliss State Park
This week we’re exploring a fun, yet lesser visited, trail in Northern California’s incredible DL Bliss State Park. Join me along the path at Balancing Rock Nature Trail.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: 0.5 miles
• Elevation Change: 70 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Location
DL Bliss State Park is located 17 miles south of Tahoe City along Highway 89 and 2 miles north of the Vikingsholm parking lot at Emerald Bay State Park. Balancing Rock Nature Trail is situated in the northwest section of the park. From the park entrance at the Visitor Center, take the short drive north to the campground area, which directs you to this hike’s trailhead.
Hike
Balancing Rock Nature Trail is a gentle half mile dirt path that loops up and around many unique looking boulders to the massive namesake and highlight, “balancing rock”. With less than 70 feet in elevation change, this is an easy family friendly hike that even the youngest of kiddos can enjoy. The trail offers multiple viewpoints of the giant balancing boulder – from looking down at it in the distance to standing up close directly under the rock, there are many different angles to see this geological marvel, starting just a few hundred feet into the trail. Great views of Lake Tahoe and Rubicon Peak can be found at different points along this path, and you are surrounded by lush green pine trees throughout your hike.
Balancing Rock History
Balancing Rock has long been drawing adventurers. Starting in the 1800s, Lake Tahoe visitors would flock to this precariously perched boulder to be photographed with the incredible “balancing rock”. Although at first glance this feature may look like two different rocks, it is indeed one massive 130 ton piece of granite that stands over 20 feet tall. A small horizontal crack running through the middle has grown over centuries due to wind and water erosion, and at some point the equilibrium between the two pedestals will be severed and the giant top piece will tumble down.
Know Before You Go
• It’s important to stay on the dedicated trail that has been created to protect the unique natural geological features found here.
• While this is probably one of the easiest trails in all of Tahoe, it is not wheelchair accessible or ADA compliant due to the uneven gravel/dirt terrain and a few stone carved steps along the path.
• DL Bliss State Park is full of hiking trails, campsites, picnic spots, and jaw-dropping Tahoe scenery. If you are staying at the campground here, you may enjoy walking or biking to the Balancing Rock Trailhead.
• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit to this spot, leaving it better than you found it.
• Dogs are not allowed on beaches, trails, or off-trail inside DL Bliss State Park.
• Black bears are often active inside DL Bliss State Park, so all food, beverages, ice chests & trash must be stored in food lockers both day and night here.
Top 10 Lake Tahoe Highlights
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
Thank you so much for joining me this week along the Balancing Rock Nature Trail. For a virtual visit of this spot, see my full Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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