Skip to ContentCalifornia State Parks lists the Rubicon Trail at 7.4 miles, rated moderate to strenuous, wrapping around Emerald Bay between D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park.
Checked November 3, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 7.4 miRubicon Trail
- Moderate-strenuousstate parks rating
- No dogsor bikes
- Nov 3, 2026off-season access checked
Trail Facts
- Length7.4 miles (California State Parks).
- DifficultyModerate to strenuous.
- TrailheadsNorth end at Calawee Cove; Lighthouse Trailhead parking 1.3 miles south; Vikingsholm access 5.7 miles south via a steep 1-mile hike; southern end at Eagle Point Campground in Emerald Bay State Park.
- RulesNo dogs, fires, bicycles, camping, or jumping and diving. The page says the trail is heavily impacted in summer.
- Off-season (as of Nov 3, 2026)D.L. Bliss vehicle access has been closed since October 1; pedestrians can walk in from the Visitor Center lot near Highway 89, about 1 mile to the nearest Rubicon trailhead; no restrooms or water; camping closed until May 2027.
- D.L. Bliss feesVehicle day use $10; peak or holiday rates may apply; Tahoe Regional Annual Pass $75; open sunrise to sunset.
- Emerald Bay and VikingsholmVikingsholm trail about 1 mile each way with 400 to 500 feet of elevation change; no services or drinking water October through May; Eagle Point Campground and Boat-In Camp closed for the 2026 season; day use $10.
- Eagle Falls (Forest Service)Trailhead about 7,100 ft; day use $5 per vehicle; leashed pets; usually open mid-May to mid-October depending on weather; no campfires or camping at the trailhead. Trail length, difficulty and any wilderness permit: not on the page we read.
Read about Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm. Park pages say chains or four-wheel drive are frequently required in winter; see Conditions Now.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Whether Desolation Wilderness day-hike permits and fee changes affect Eagle Falls (check the Forest Service page).
- Highway 89 winter closure dates at Emerald Bay.
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a dog on the Rubicon Trail?
No. California State Parks lists no dogs on the Rubicon Trail.
Sources
- California State Parks: D.L. Bliss State Park
- California State Parks: Emerald Bay State Park
- U.S. Forest Service: Eagle Falls trailhead
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Rubicon Trail at Emerald Bay,” itsreno.com, checked November 3, 2026.