Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm

A waterfall tumbles down a rocky cliff face with trees and cliffs beyond — Eagle Falls and nearby cliffs from a sketch slope below the waterfall

Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm was a surprising and delightful discovery when I visited Lake Tahoe. In fact, it was so amazing that we decided to go back the next day after hiking Castle Rock when we weren’t able to hike the trail I’d originally planned for the day (some roads just need 4×4). We ended up hiking around the top of the falls in the evening, then hiking down to Vikingsholm the next day. Both are very fun, though the trail down to Vikingsholm and then up to the base of the falls is very steep!

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 3.4 miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Gain: 782ft. Pets: No Fees: None

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Lupine flowers above dark trees, a blue lake, and mountains — Lupine along the trail to Vikingsholm

Funny but true story: We wouldn’t have found Eagle Falls at all, but we were looking for trash cans. We’d had supper at a lakeside picnic area, and the beef stew containers smelled strongly. We did not want to keep them in the van overnight, but the area seemed devoid of trash receptacles. Mile after mile, not a trash can in sight.

A mallard duck on gravel next to a picnic table leg — A mallard duck near Vikingsholm

Finally, in desperation, we pulled into the Eagle Falls Trailhead – and found someone had pushed their salad bowls and other trash under a bush not 50 feet from two very real trash cans. Ugh for litterers, yay for no more smell in the van. While we were stopped, we decided to explore Eagle Falls. It turns out one of my companions had made a very beautiful piece of artwork using a photo atop the falls for inspiration about a month before. Who would have guessed he would see the very sight of his artwork ever, let alone so soon?

A small waterfall on a creek with rocks in the background — A small cascade above the main drop of Eagle Falls

On that first visit in the evening, after disposing of our trash, we parked in the lot for Eagle Falls and the Desolation Wilderness (38.9519465015°, -120.11305816°). There is also additional parking along the road. These are all free. Just up the road is the parking area for Emerald Bay State Park (38.95427388, -120.11052778) – this is closer to the Vikingsholm Trailhead, but it also has a parking fee. On a summer afternoon, every single one of these parking areas can be full, so plan accordingly.

Looking up at a waterfall tumbling over rocks, dead trees, and clouds in the sky — Looking up at part of Eagle Falls (I scrambled around quite a bit on that first visit and found all kinds of odd angles from which to view the falls – be careful, as the rocks can be slick!)

Back to the first visit, we crossed the road (carefully!) from the parking area. The stream here has some good views down onto Emerald Bay. You can continue to walk along the right side of the stream to a place where you can see the falls. It’s probably the most impressive view of the falls I saw…

Pink wildflowers and a green bush beside a waterfall — Wildflowers near Eagle Falls… I’m only sharing one view of the falls from the angle described, and it’s at the top of the post!

…except for maybe if you (carefully) cross the stream (above the falls) and walk on the rocks out to where you can see a slightly distant view of the falls.

A waterfall tumbles over rocks surrounded by trees — Eagle Falls from its opposite side – you can see the road bridge in the background

But that’s all exploring, so now I’ll explain how we hiked to Vikingsholm and the lower viewpoint of Eagle Falls. We ended up parking about a quarter mile south of where we’d parked the night before in a semi-official pulloff along with plenty of other people who were doing similar things. From there, we walked along a social trail and the road a quarter mile to the entrance to the Eagle Falls Parking Area, then another 0.05 miles to where a very official trail leaves on the right. This is what I called the “Trailhead.”

A road, a sign with a pedestrian crossed out, and a hiker on a trail between trees — The “Trailhead” including a sign telling pedestrians to please use the trail instead of walk along the shoulder of the road

0.0 Trailhead (6,591ft.). As I said, this is not really the trailhead, it’s just the beginning of an official trail. The path travels near but not beside the road through the thin forest (not much in the way of shade) for 0.15 miles to the Emerald Bay State Park parking area. Walk across or around the parking area to its far right corner near the pay machines (they’re a little hard to miss). (38.9526290°, -120.1121500°)

A lake and mountains are visible beyond nearby rocks, bushes, and trees — Views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe from near the top of the trail

0.2 Emerald Bay State Park Trailhead (6,628ft.). Follow the very obvious trail as it begins its slow downhill descent. It gradually becomes steeper, and believe me, coming back up will remind you why you don’t want to hike in California in the summer! The path takes one switchback, then winds down toward Emerald Bay. At mile 0.8, stay right, as the left trail would take you down to the lakeshore further east than you want to be. At the bottom, things get a little weird. The one stable part of the landscape is Vikingsholm, a summer mansion created in the Scandinavian style. If you like architecture, it’s definitely worth walking around the building to enjoy the carved wood, grassy roof, and more. Tours ($) are sometimes offered. We ended up turning left and taking a trail along the lakeshore for a while, turned around, returned to visit the beach (where families were having a grand time swimming and playing and picnicing), and then followed the signs up to Eagle Falls (in all wasting about 0.4 miles). The trail is just slightly strenuous, with stone stairs and a steep grade. (38.9542825°, -120.1100942°)

A wood and stone building with grass on the roof beside a trail and trees — Grass growing on the roof of Vikingsholm

1.9 Lower Eagle Falls Viewing Platform (6,381ft.). I was definitely disappointed with how little of the falls you can see, but what you can see is impressive (especially if it’s not afternoon and the sun isn’t silhouetting the falls so badly they’re just a dazzle of reflected light off the spray of the falls). Still worth the trek up to see if you’re already at Vikingsholm, but I wouldn’t do it just to see the falls – the views are better from up top. When you’re finished, retrace your steps back up – up – up to your vehicle! (38.9521830°, -120.1102210°)

A waterfall tumbles down rocks surrounded by bushes and trees — Views of Lower Eagle Falls – the views from above are much better!

Round Trip Trail Length: I went a total of 3.4 miles not including walking from where I parked to the “trailhead.”

Elevation Gain: 782ft. (6,629ft. to 6,236ft.)

A shadowy island in a lake with shadowy trees on the banks and a boat near the island — An island in Emerald Bay in the evening

Fees: None if you park somewhere else than Emerald Bay State Park. The state park charges $10/day or $3/hour to park in their parking area.

Facilities: Vault toilets at both the Eagle Falls Parking Area and Emerald Bay State Park parking areas as well as at Vikingsholm.

Water pours over rocks with ferns and bushes at the bottom of the falls — Looking down one of the upper tiers of Eagle Falls

Trail Notes: The trail is steep, and on a hot afternoon, it is not much fun to climb back up, especially after a refreshing dip in Lake Tahoe. The trail is open all year, though snow can make the hike a bit exciting in the winter. The house does offer tours ($) from Memorial Day weekend through September 30. Trails at the bottom are super confusing, but there are only three basic destinations: The lower falls, the beach, and heading along the coast (four if you count the trail back up to the road). So sooner or later, you’ll end up on one of these three trails if you walk far enough!

Cars parked below trees and cliffy mountains — Parking area below cliffs along the road near Eagle Falls (we parked in another, less official area behind me)

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

A blue bay below a wooded hillside as seen from between trees — Emerald Bay while hiking down the trail

GPS Coordinates for Eagle Falls & Vikingsholm

TH (along the road): 38.9526290°, -120.1121500° (38°57.15774′, -120°06.72900′ / 38°57’09.4644″, -120°06’43.7400″) (6,591ft.) (0.0)

Emerald Bay TH: 38.9542825°, -120.1100942° (38°57.25695′, -120°06.60565′ / 8°57’15.4170″, -120°06’36.3391″) (6,628ft.) (0.19)

A paddle boat in a blue lake near an island — A tour paddle boat in Emerald Bay

Junction: 38.9550960°, -120.1070160° (38°57.30576′, -120°06.42096′ / 38°57’18.3456″, -120°06’25.2576″) (6,294ft.) (0.81)

Lower Falls: 38.9521830°, -120.1102210° (38°57.13098′, -120°06.61326′ / 38°57’07.8588″, -120°06’36.7956″) (6,381ft.) (1.89)

End: 38.9526420°, -120.1121380° (38°57.15852′, -120°06.72828′ / 38°57’09.5112″, -120°06’43.6968″) (6,591ft.) (3.38)

Carved wood and windows in the side of a house — Carvings in the walls of Vikingsholm

The gpx file for Eagle Falls & Vikingsholm can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

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Two snake heads and Celtic carvings in the wood lintel of a house — Carvings on Vikingsholm

Getting to Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm

From I-80, take Exit 185 for CA-89S. Make sure you continue on CA-89S through two traffic circles (take the 3rd exit and then the 1st exit). Another traffic circle will appear after 13.3 miles; take the 1st exit to continue on CA-89S; repeat taking the 1st exit to CA-89S 0.3 miles later in yet another traffic circle. Drive 18.3 miles. Park in one of the established parking areas – pay attention and don’t violate the no parking signs.

Ferns lit by the sun with a dark background — Ferns near Vikingsholm

From where CA-89 meets US-50 near South Lake Tahoe, turn north on CA-89 for 8.5 miles. Park in one of the established parking areas – pay attention and don’t violate the no parking signs.

Visual trail map of my hike to Vikingsholm, along the shoreline, and then up to Lower Eagle Falls Viewpoint before returning to the road

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