Lake Tahoe, which is located on the border between Nevada and California, is known for its strikingly clear blue water. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it’s 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, and along its 72 miles of shoreline, Lake Tahoe has a number of serene beaches and state parks. There’s no shortage of incredible natural beauty here, but one of its most magnificent spots is Emerald Bay State Park at the south end of the lake, home to the famous Vikingsholm Castle and Lake Tahoe’s only island. Plus, the state park offers an abundance of activities for adventure lovers, from hiking and boating to scuba diving.
In 1969, it was designated as a National Natural Landmark, thanks to its impressive geologic history and stunning scenery. Lake Tahoe itself is estimated to be around 2 million years old. Emerald Bay, on the other hand, is much younger. Around 10,000 years ago, Emerald Bay was formed thanks to a 4-mile-long glacier from an ice field in what is now the Desolation Wilderness, a breathtaking destination with granite peaks and alpine lakes. After the glacier reached Lake Tahoe and started to melt, the rock and debris it left behind created the beautiful bay we see today.
Fannette Island and Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay State Park has some truly spectacular features to explore. There’s Fannette Island, which is the only island in all of Lake Tahoe. You can paddle out to the tiny island for a fun day trip. Though you may be tempted to spend the night in this secluded spot, no camping is allowed. On the island, you can find the remnants of a teahouse structure that was built for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who also owned Vikingsholm Castle, another of Emerald Bay’s special places.
Vikingsholm “is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere,” according to California State Parks. Mrs. Knight bought Fannette Island and the land along Emerald Bay in 1928. She commissioned the 38-room mansion to mimic the look of 11th-century Nordic castles because she felt that the surroundings looked like Norwegian fjords. The California State Parks system purchased the 117-acre property in 1953, eight years after Knight’s death. The house has been preserved much the way Knight had it when she lived there, and it’s open for tours during the summer…