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D. L. Bliss State Park, Lake Tahoe, CA

Photo: Kazuho Okui, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

D. L. Bliss State Park

A California state park on Lake Tahoe's western shore with hiking trails, a popular beach, and a famous balancing granite rock.

Lake Tahoe, CA

About D. L. Bliss State Park

D. L. Bliss State Park sits on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, just north of Emerald Bay State Park. Visitors swim, snorkel or dive in the clear lake, picnic, and relax on the sandy beaches at Lester Beach and Calawee Cove. Hiking routes include part of the Rubicon Trail, the Lighthouse Trail, and the short Balancing Rock Trail. Balancing Rock is a large granite formation resting on a narrow stone base, and it has drawn visitors since the late 1800s. Promontories such as Rubicon Point offer views deep into the lake. The park campground, group sites, and day-use areas are also part of the park, though camping is closed until May 2027.

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  • #hiking
  • #beach
  • #swimming
  • #scuba-diving

What's around here?

The closest stops to D. L. Bliss State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Iconic

    Emerald Bay State Park

    Under $25

    Hike down to the Vikingsholm mansion, spot Fannette Island or look out over Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay from Highway 89.

    2.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

    Under $25

    A forested state park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, with about two miles of lakefront and a historic 1903 summer mansion.

    5.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Anderson's Bicycle Rental

    $25–$50

    Family-owned South Lake Tahoe shop renting bikes right at the start of the paved National Forest Bike Trail.

    6.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Cruise Tahoe

    $50+

    Small-group sailing cruises to Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle on a classic wooden boat.

    6.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Boat Tahoe

    $50+

    Private, captain-included boat charters out of South Lake Tahoe for sightseeing and watersports.

    6.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Tahoe Tastings

    $50+

    Two-hour wine tasting cruise aboard a vintage 1953 Chris-Craft water taxi past Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm.

    6.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

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