Overview
D. L. Bliss State Park is near Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevada region of California.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Wettest: Feb and Dec. (climate data from nearby South Lake Tahoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TKF Truckee Tahoe Airport, Truckee — 23 mi away. Directions
- RNO Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno — 40 mi away (major hub). Directions
It is 17 mi south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, a couple of miles north of Emerald Bay.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
Notable features include Rubicon Point Light, the highest-elevation lighthouse in the United States. A popular trail in the lakeside forest features a large balancing rock.
History
The park is named in honor of timber and railroad magnate Duane Leroy Bliss, whose heirs donated 744 acres (301 ha) of land to the state in 1929. It has since grown to 2,149 acres (870 ha).
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Climate
- Summer: 75-80°F during the day to the low 40s at night
- Winter: high of 40°F to lows in the teens and 20s, and may dip 0°F.
Get in
It is 17 mi south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, a couple of miles north of Emerald Bay.
Do
- swimming
- scuba diving
- go to the beach at Lester Beach or Calawee Cove
- hike the Rubicon Trail, Lighthouse Trail, and Balancing Rock Trail
- kayak, paddleboard, or canoe
Sleep
There is a historic campground. It has small roads, small campsites and small parking pads. This campground does not have hook-ups. There is a dump station available for registered campers. The campsite fee for one vehicle is $45 for Beach Camp and $35 for others (Sep 2021). The maximum trailer length is 15 ft. The maximum motorhome length is 18 ft.
Lake Tahoe is a popular destination and reservations are required. Reservations are available from late May to the first weekend of September online or at +1-800-444-7275. Reservations may be made 6 months in advance.
Nearby
Emerald Bay State Park
Park · 2 mi away
South Lake Tahoe
City / town · 22 listings · 7 mi away
Homewood
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Stateline
City / town · 14 listings · 8 mi away
Tahoe City
City / town · 27 listings · 13 mi away
Olympic Valley
City / town · 9 listings · 16 mi away
Minden
City / town · 6 listings · 18 mi away
Tahoe Vista
City / town · 14 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
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