National park · United States
Bliss State Park
Enter Bliss State Park for $45 per car (beach camp) or $35 (other) and hike the Rubicon Trail; best in summer (Jun–Aug); drive from Tahoe City (17 mi).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (9 km²)
approximate
Established
1929
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Lake Tahoe ↗In winter, Caltrans chain control can require chains or 4WD with snow tires on I-80, US-50 and the passes; carry chains November to April.
- Lake Tahoe ↗South Lake Tahoe airport has no scheduled commercial flights; fly into Reno-Tahoe (RNO) or Sacramento (SMF).
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 9 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (9 km²)
- Park grew from 301 ha (1929) to 870 ha (2026).
- Established
- 1929
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Tahoe City
Bliss State Park, on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, offers forested trails with lake views, a historic lighthouse, and beach access. The park’s main draw is the Rubicon Trail and Balancing Rock Trail, suitable for most hikers, plus swimming at Lester Beach. Campground fees apply; reservations are required in summer. Visit in June‑August for warm weather and full trail access, or in spring/early fall for fewer crowds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1929.
Size and age
9 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (9 km²) · national park since 1929
Park grew from 301 ha (1929) to 870 ha (2026).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tahoe City.
Why go
- Rubicon Trail and Balancing Rock Trail offer forest hiking with lake views.
- Rubicon Point Light, the highest-elevation lighthouse in the US.
- Beach access at Lester Beach and Calawee Cove for swimming and water sports.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow.
- FebCold, limited trail access.
- MarEarly spring, snow melt.
- AprMild, trails open.
- MayWarm, wildflowers.
- JunWarm, dry, full trail access.
- JulPeak summer, lake swimming.
- AugWarm, clear skies.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctCool, possible early snow.
- NovCold, limited services.
- DecCold, snow possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer, black bears, songbirdsMay–Sep · Common in forest areas. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Tahoe City
Drive south on Highway 89, 17 mi to park gate.
30 min
Open the page →
From South Lake Tahoe
Take Highway 89 north 12 mi.
20 min
Open the page →
From Emerald Bay State Park
Continue north on Highway 89, 2 mi.
5 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Campground | Vehicle sites, beach and forest campsites, dump station. | Reservation required for peak season. |
| Trailheads | Rubicon Trail, Lighthouse Trail, Balancing Rock Trail. | Open with park entry; no fee beyond campground. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from California State Parks official site; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground fee – Beach Camp | US$45 | vehicle | 2021 fee, check for 2026 update. |
| Campground fee – Other sites | US$35 | vehicle | 2021 fee, check for 2026 update. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Campground reservation permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$45
- US$35
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on California State Parks – Bliss State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; must be on a leash at all times.
- Campfires
- Only permitted in designated fire rings; check fire restrictions in summer.
- Alcohol
- Allowed in private campsites, not in public areas.
- Vehicle length
- Maximum trailer length 15 ft, motorhome 18 ft.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permit.
Where to stay
In the park
Bliss State Park campground
Tent sites, RV pads, no hookups; dump station available.
Safety
Heat medium
Wildfire high
Snow/ice medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Campground roads are paved and suitable for most vehicles.
- Trailheads have parking close to trail starts; some trails have uneven terrain.
Visiting lightly
- Use the reservation system to limit overcrowding.
- Pack out all trash; use the dump station for waste water.
- Stay on designated trails to protect fragile alpine flora.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bliss State Park?
Campground fees are $45 per vehicle for Beach Camp and $35 for other sites; no separate entry fee for day use.
What are the best hikes in Bliss State Park?
Rubicon Trail (moderate, 2–3 h), Balancing Rock Trail (easy, 1 h), and Lighthouse Trail (easy, 1 h) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Bliss State Park?
Summer months June–August offer warm weather and full trail access; spring and early fall are also good with fewer crowds.
Do I need a reservation to camp at Bliss State Park?
Yes, reservations are required from late May to early September via ReserveCalifornia.com or by phone.
Are pets allowed in Bliss State Park?
Leashed dogs are allowed on trails and in the campground; they must stay on a leash at all times.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bliss State Park
Loading…
Was this useful?