Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay State Park - Lake Tahoe
This week we’re enjoying a beautiful and historic Lake Tahoe spot in the picturesque Emerald Bay State Park. Join me as we exploring Vikingsholm.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: 2 miles
• Elevation Change: 400+ ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
Vikingsholm facade in Emerald Bay State Park
Sod roof atop Vikingsholm in Lake Tahoe
History
Lovingly referred to as Tahoe’s hidden castle, Vikingsholm was dreamed up by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight who purchased this land in 1928 for $250,000 with the desire to build a luxurious Summer home here. Emerald Bay reminded her of her travels to Scandinavia, so she hired Swedish architect Lennart Palme to design the home, which is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. More than 200 workers were brought in to execute her vision, complete with 38 rooms, Nordic fireplaces, dragon carved wood peaks, and even a live sod roof. In 1953, 8 years after Mrs. Knight passed away, the state acquired the property. Decades later, it is now part of the Harvey West Unit of Emerald Bay State Park and the structure is a National & California Historic Landmark.
Dragon carvings atop Vikingsholm in Lake Tahoe
Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay State Park
Location
Vikingsholm sits on 232 acres of pristine land at the heart of Emerlamd Bay, one of the most famous spots in all of the Lake Tahoe area. The property also includes remnants of a tea house that Mrs. Knight had built on Lake Tahoe’s only island, Fannette Island, which is only accessible by boat or kayak. This main Vikingsholm structure, however, has been preserved wonderfully, and it stands just steps from the spectacular beach, which is wildly popular for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and boating.
Tea House on Fannette Island in Lake Tahoe
Hike
Vikingsholm is located near the water’s edge and can only be reached by boating into Emerald Bay or walking the one mile trail leading down from the parking lot area along Highway 89. While the path is mostly paved, it descends down well over several hundred feet, so walking back up to your vehicle can be a bit of a challenge as you gain nearly 500 feet in under a mile.
Overlooking Fannette Island and Emerald Bay near the Vikingsholm trailhead
Know Before You Go
• Summer tours of the home are offered from June through the end of September. Tickets are $15 for adults and details can be found on the Sierra State Parks website here.
• Emerald Bay State Park official information recommends that visitors with medical conditions or mobility issues should not attempt this hike, as there are no rides out.
• Restrooms can be found at the bottom of the trail.
• Visitors are welcome to hike down year round, but be warned that snow and ice can lead to hazardous conditions in the Winter, and there are no services or drinking water from October through May.
• Cell phones may not have reception here depending on service provider.
• You can bring your beach towel and tan on the sandy shore or kayak in thanks to the beautiful beach access here.
• Please help leave this special place better than you found it, so its beauty can be enjoyed for years to come. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip.
Top 10 Lake Tahoe Highlights
Central courtyard in Vikingsholm
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
Thanks so much for joining me this week in Lake Tahoe. For a virtual visit of Vikingsholm, see my full Behind the Blog YouTube video below. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Scandinavian architectural details at Vikingsholm
Check out these IG Reels below for more Lake Tahoe views!
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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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