D. L. Bliss State Park

D. L. Bliss State Park is a 1,555-acre park in El Dorado County, about 7 miles northwest of South Lake Tahoe.

Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, historic sites, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. The official site lists about 7.4 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.

Camping - CLOSED UNTIL MAY 2027 For summer camping reservations for 2027, call Reserve California at 1-800-444-PARK (7275) or visit www.reservecalifornia.com. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance of the date you would like to arrive. The Lake Tahoe area is a popular destination and reservations are recommended. Fees for family camping are $35 ($45 Beach Camp) per night (8 people). Fees include one vehicle (towed vehicles exempt). Second vehicle is $10 per night. Not all sites can hold 2 vehicles. The campground was built in 1934 and the parking pads are small. Vehicles must park on parking pads. If needed there is overflow parking at Balancing Rock parking lot. Occupancy and vehicle limits are posted on www.reservecalifornia.com. The group site allows up to 40 people for $165 a night. The campground does not have hook-ups. Showers and dump station are available for registered campers. Shower tokens will be available at the kiosk when the kiosk is open. Check In 2 pm Check Out Noon 2 Vehicles allowed per campsite 8 people allowed per campsite Generator Hours 10am - 8pm Quiet Hours 10pm - 6am No Drones Vehicles must be parked on pavement Amplified music is only allowed with a permit Dogs must be leashed and never unattended. No dogs on beaches or trails. Children must have helmets for bicycles/scooters/skateboards All state vehicle codes apply on campground roads. No passengers in truckbeds. Food must be stored DAY and NIGHT Food Storage Locker Information - Important and required. All food, beverages, toiletries, and trash containing food/smells are required by law to be stored in provided food lockers except when food is being prepared or eaten. Black bears are currently very active at Bliss campground as they are just waking from a long winter and are very interested in ALL items that smell like food. Metal bear-resistant food lockers are provided in each campsite. Ice chests may NOT be stored in vehicles and shall be stored in the food storage locker. The inside dimensions of the food lockers 36" deep, 43" wide, and 22" high. Violations will be cited. Attention: Bear-Proof Cooler Owners BEAR-PROOF COOLERS (Yeti, Pelican, Yukon etc.) MUST be secured with locks per manufacturer instructions in order to meet Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) standards. Failure to do so may result in a Food Storage Citation and up to a $1000 Fine Title XIV CCR 4323(b). It is recommended that a cable lock is also used to attach the bear cooler to a non moveable item. Bears are known to take off with and/or toss coolers around to try to open them. More information available in our Black Bear Brochure. Overnight facilities: Tent Camping, Group Campsites, Hike-and-Bike Campsites, RV Dump Station, RV Access Max trailer: 15 feet Max camper/motorhome: 18 feet

Rubicon Trail (Pedestrian) The Rubicon Trail (pedestrian) wraps around Emerald Bay, stretching from Emerald Bay State Park to D. L. Bliss State Park. There are four main access points along the trail: (1) at the North end of D.L. Bliss State Park is the Rubicon Trailhead starting at Calawee Cove (2) 1.3 miles South is the Lighthouse Trailhead Parking Area (D.L. Bliss State Park) (3) 5.7 miles south is Vikingsholm access, with a steep 1 mile hike to reach the Rubicon Trail from the Vikingsholm Parking Lot/Emerald Bay Overlook If using the Emerald Bay Shuttle - this will be the closest access. (4) the southern most trailhead of the Rubicon trail is 7.4 miles south at Eagle Point Campground (Emerald Bay State Park) The 7.4 miles of trail range from moderate to strenuous hiking and offer beautiful views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay and the Rubicon Trail are highly impacted in the summer. Restrooms are available Memorial Day - Labor Day at Bliss, Boat Camp, and Vikingsholm. No Dogs, No Fires, No Bicycles, No Camping, No Jumping/Diving The parks are open from sunrise to sunset. Cell Phones may not have reception - bring appropriate layered clothing, footwear and food and water. High Sierra weather varies and can change abrubptly. Check weather updates. Balancing Rock Nature Trail The Balancing Rock, "tons of granite resting precariously on a slender stone base", has long been a natural attraction on Lake Tahoe's western shore. Visitors to the Lake Tahoe area in the late 1800's and early 1900's enjoyed being photographed next to this geological marvel. Today, the Balancing Rock is the feature attraction of a short, half mile self-guided nature trail in the northwest section of D.L. Bliss State Park. The granite of this large rock began weathering more rapidly at the joint plane, an extensive horizontal crack that is easily seen at its "waist". The overlying rock weighs around 130 tons and is now balanced on the rock below. This precarious remnant of granite rock will eventually fall when enough material has eroded away to break the equilibrium between the two pedestals.

Overview D.L. Bliss State Park is named for a pioneering lumberman, railroad owner, and banker of the region whose family donated 744 acres to the State Park system in 1929. The park lies along Lake Tahoe and provides some excellent views of the area. It is located 17 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, just two miles north of Emerald Bay. Visitors should be aware of how high altitude may affect them. Phone (530) 525-7277 for more information. Camping Beach Campground: Site #155 is designated accessible. Parking, routes, and nearby restrooms/showers are generally accessible. East Ridge Campground: Site #97 is designated accessible. Parking is generally accessible. Routes throughout the campsite may pose a challenge. Generally accessible restrooms/showers are available in the West Ridge Campground or Beach Campground. West Ridge Campground: Site #127 and #129 are designated accessible. Parking is generally accessible. Routes throughout the campsites may pose a challenge. Nearby restrooms/showers are generally accessible. Picnic Area The picnic area near Lester Beach has accessible tables dispersed throughout generally level terrain, but assistance may be required crossing loose bark surfaces. Restrooms in the day use areas are generally accessible. Designated accessible parking is available. Assistance may be required with slopes on path of travel to tables.

Park Regulations and Posted Orders • Ca State Park Regulations • DL BLISS STATE PARK POSTED ORDERS