Day Use Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
D. L. Bliss State Park
Phone Number
(530) 525-3384
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: Up to 15 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 18 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed in developed areas only, which include campsites, paved roads and paths, dirt fire roads, and paved parking areas. Dogs also allowed in developed picnic areas and day-use areas. Dogs not allowed on beaches or dirt trails.
Driving Directions to D. L. Bliss SP
The park is located 17 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, a couple of miles north of Emerald Bay.Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Dump Station
RV Access
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Dump Station
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Museums
Geocaching
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Museums
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
UPDATES - DL Bliss CLOSED to PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES
DL Bliss is CLOSED.
Effective 7/10/23: The day use area roads are closed to the public BOTH pedestrians and vehicles. The park is not accessible from HWY 89. Please do not block gates and follow all signage. The Rubicon Trail and beaches can only be accessed through Emerald Bay State Park as an out and back hike. No through hikings. The closed areas are closed to all visitors until further notice for the protection and safety of both visitors and construction crews. Enforced by CCR T14 4326(a)
DL Bliss campground is closed for the 2023 season. A large-scale water infrastructure construction project is planned for DL Bliss State Park the summer 2023.
Dogs at D.L. Bliss
Dogs are NOT allowed on the beaches, trails, or off-trail (including the bouldering areas). Dogs are not allowed on the Rubicon Trail. Dogs on a 6' leash are allowed in the campgound and picnic areas, as well as on paved roads. Dogs may not be left unattended. Dog regulations are strictly enforced YEAR-ROUND. Please do not leave your dog in a vehicle and plan accordingly. Here are some boarding options if you are away from home.
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.
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.
Location - Directions
D.L Bliss SP is located 17 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, and approximately 2 miles north of the Vikingsholm Parking Lot at Emerald Bay.
Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing
Summer temperatures range from about 75-80 degrees F during the day to the low 40s at night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to lows in the teens and 20s; Winter temperatures may dip below 0 degrees F.
High Sierra weather is varied and can change abruptly. It is recommended to bring layered clothing and check weather updates. Weather forecast is available at NOAA.
Chains and/ or 4 wheel drive are frequently required during the winter season. For up to date road conditions, call the Caltrans road hotline at 1800-427-ROAD, or visit the Caltrans website.
D.L. Bliss State Park is located off of Highway 89.
Rubicon Trail (Pedestrian)
Imapcts to access points on the north end ( D.L. Bliss) of the Rubicon trail will be in affect during the 2023 seson. North Trailhead Closed. Please obey all signage to allow crews to work. Vikingsholm access to the Rubicon Trail will be closed 9/18-10/15 due to trail work damaged in winter of 2023.
The Rubicon Trail 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 in D. L. Bliss State Park is the Rubicon Trailhead starting at Calawee Cove,
(2) 1.3 miles south is the Lighthouse Trailhead Parking Area (DL 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, and
(4) the southern most beginning/end of the trail is 7.4 miles south at the Rubicon Trailhead at Eagle Point (Emerald Bay State Park) Recommeded
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 and water are available Memorial Day - Labor Day at Calawee Cove, Vikingsholm Area, and Boat Camp.
No Dogs, No Fires, No Bicycles, No Camping - 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.
About the Park
Campers and day use visitors enjoy swimming or scuba diving in the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe, picnicking, relaxing on the warm sand of Lester Beach or Calawee Cove, and hiking the Rubicon Trail, Lighthouse Trail, and Balancing Rock Trail. Lester Beach is a popular location to launch your kayak, paddleboard, or canoe, but keep in mind that trailers are not allowed in the day use parking lots. Please check weather and wind conditions before venturing out on the lake.
The grandeur of the parks and their setting is a product of successive upheavals of the mountain-building processes that raised the Sierra Nevada. From promontories such as Rubicon Point in D.L. Bliss State Park you can see over one hundred feet into the depths of Lake Tahoe.
The park is named for a pioneering lumberman, railroad owner, and banker of the region. The D.L. Bliss family donated 744 acres to the State Park system in 1929.
