Day Use Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
D. L. Bliss State Park
This park unit is partially open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (May 20, 2022)
What is open now?
- Day Use opens on 5/26.
- Camping opens on 6/15.
What is currently closed?
- There are no showers.
- 2 of the loops are closed due to the water shortage.
COVID-19 Guidelines - (February 16, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
- Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
- Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
- Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Effective March 1, 2022, state guidance recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue masking in indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers. Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings. Please plan ahead as local county guidelines may differ from state guidance and visitors are urged to follow county guidelines when required. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
- Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
Phone Number
No phone number listed.
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
FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN ALL COUNTIES SURROUNDING LAKE TAHOE - Fireworks are illegal in all counties surrounding Lake Tahoe. Please help keep your beautiful forest safe. Report any illegal fireworks. For more information on public shows please visit Visit Lake Tahoe and Go Tahoe North.
Summer 2022 campground reservations for DL Bliss State Park available at ReserveCalifornia™. A large-scale water infrastructure construction project had been planned for DL Bliss State Park this Summer. That project is now being re-scheduled for Summer 2023. Due to ongoing issues with the current outdated water system, campground reservations are available from June 15 - September 15, 2022 in West Ridge, East Ridge, and Beach Camp loops. Shower facilities will not be available.
FIRE BAN - Due to dry conditions and a finding of extreme fire danger: Charcoal and wood fires are prohibited in all California State Parks Day Use Areas in the Sierra District.
During National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings, wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all California State Parks Campgrounds and Day Use Areas in the Sierra District. These areas include Sugar Pine Point, DL Bliss, Emerald Bay, Kings Beach SRA, Tahoe SRA, and Donner Memorial State Parks. Updated 6/27/22
Day Use
SUMMER - Day Use opens May 26, 2022. The day use parking areas at the beaches and at the Rubicon trailhead are extremely popular during the summer months and are often FULL by mid morning. We recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon for best chances of finding a parking space. When the parking lots are full, day use vehicles will not be allowed into the park - No drop-offs/pick-ups, though pedestrians may walk the two mountainous miles to the beach. Day use hours are sunrise to sunset. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or trails. Amplified music is only allowed with a permit. No charcoal BBQs. Thank you for your understanding.
OFF-SEASON - During the off-season D.L. Bliss State Park closes to vehicular traffic for the season. When the park gate is closed, pedestrians may park at the Visitor Center (closed) parking lot near highway 89 and access the park from sunrise-sunset. It is an approximately 1 mile hike from the Vistor Center to the closest Rubicon Trailhead, and a steep mountainous 2 mile hike to the beaches. All park regulations apply during the off-season. No restrooms or water available. Closest food and beverage are in South Lake Tahoe - 10 miles south. Closest restrooms are at Sugar Pine Day Use Area - 7 miles north. In the spring, the park will not open to vehicles until de-winterization and water treatments have been completed.
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.
Campground - 2022 Season
The campsite fee ($45 for Beach Camp and $35 for all others) includes one vehicle. The max trailer length is 15'. The max motorhome length is 18'. This is a historic campground with small roads, small campsites and small parking pads. This campground does not have hook-ups, however, there is a dump station available for registered campers
Lake Tahoe is a popular destination and reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, go to reservecalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275 - Reservations may be made 6 months in advance of your arrival date.
Check In - 2 pm Check Out - Noon
Generator Hours 10am - 8pm Quiet Hours 10pm - 6am
2 Vehicles allowed per campsite Children must have helmets for bicycles/scooters/skateboards
8 people allowed per campsite Dogs must be leashed and never unattended
Vehicles must be parked on pavement Amplified music is only allowed with a permit
Food must be stored DAY and NIGHT All CA vehicle regulations apply - no passengers in truckbed
IMPORTANT AND REQUIRED - Food Storage Locker Information
All food, beverages, and toiletries are required by law to be stored in provided food lockers except when food is being prepared or eaten. Black bears are currently very active at D.L. Bliss! Metal bear-resistant food lockers are provided in each campsite. Ice chests may NOT be stored in vehicles and shall be stored in food storage lockers. The inside dimensions of the food lockers 36" deep, 43" wide, and 22" high. Violations will be cited. Food, beverages, ice chests, and trash must be stored in food lockers during NIGHT and DAY hours.
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.
Additional Visitor Services
- Tahoe Adventure Company (Hiking, biking and kayaking)
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.
Balancing Rock Nature Trail
The Balancing Rock, "tons of granite resting precariously on a slender stone base", 
has long been a natural attraction on Lake Tahoe's western shore. Visitors to the Lake Tahoe area in the late 1800's and early 1900's enjoyed being photographed next to this geological marvel.
Today, the Balancing Rock is the feature attraction of a short, half mile self-guided nature trail in the northwest section of D.L. Bliss State Park. The granite of this large rock began weathering more rapidly at the joint plane, an extensive horizontal crack that is easily seen at its "waist".
The overlying rock weighs around 130 tons and is now balanced on the rock below. This precarious remnant of granite rock will eventually fall when enough material has eroded away to break the equilibrium between the two pedestals.
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.
