Even though there is There are many convincing reasons to visit Lake TahoeThe region continues to surprise us with new and interesting things to check. Either The thing you may not know is Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and there are some unique things that hide along the coast.
Located inside Emerald Bay State Park, one of the Best State Park in California (with hotels around the corner!)is a structure that looks more home in Europe than on the coast of California.
Located in the trees, you will find a castle inspired by Scandinavia in the Gulf. So, why there, and how can you visit it? Let’s dive and learn more.

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Vikingsholm is a hidden scandinavian castle in Lake Tahoe
It is located in one of the most popular state parks in California
Vikingsholm is located between lush forests
Located in Emerald Bay State Park In Tanjung upper Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe is the one that maximizes Vikingsholm. The 38 -room castle was no doubt Scandinavia in its inspiration and design, and it came out of the forest around its own beach, straight to the lake.
The palace was so iconic and unique that it was actually added to the Registry National of Historic Places in 1996. There was a visit around this amazing home, but most people tend to see the structure of Fannette Island or ranking around the bay on the kayak. It is an artist inspired in the past and present and has a mysterious air about it.
The palace is now almost open to the public, with a summer visit, so Make good things to do in Lake TahoeApart from external efforts. Thanks to the small beach in front of Vikingsholm, many people stopped at Summer Vacations around Lake TahoeBecause there is a rowing area separated from the larger bay by the float.
Address |
CA-89, Tahoma, CA 96142 |
Opening hours |
Open every day from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm |
Admission |
$ 5 |

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What is the history of Vikingsholm?
The palace has been standing for almost 100 years
Of course, a castle inspired in Scandinavia in California does not only appear from the thin air – there is a history that is definitely attached to this place. In 1928, a woman named Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought a piece of land containing Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $ 250,000.
For the context, adjusted for today’s value, it would be around $ 4.6 million, so it didn’t have a small fee, but it seemed to be stealing by California’s real estate price today!
She could not help but was reminded of her vacation to Scandinavia as she visited Lake Tahoe and decided to build a summer house that embraced the natural environment and gave her a scanda vibration.
Fortunately, his nephew by marriage was a Swedish architect called Lennart Palme, who designed Vikingsholm for Mrs. Knight, bringing the essence of Swedish forest to the bright California.
Vikingsholm, Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, California, USA
The palace was completed in the fall of 1929 and was enjoyed by the Knight family in the summer until its death in 1945. From that point, Vikingsholm and its surrounding land passed several times before being sold to California in 1950 -an.
It is now part of the Emerald Bay State Park and one of the best examples of Swedish architecture!
Despite her obsession with Scandinavian architecture, Mrs. Knight is actually an English descent, not Scandinavia!
How can you get to Vikingsholm?
It is a steep hike to visit this Lake Tahoe icon
If you want to visit Vikingsholm, it’s pretty easy, but not easy. Vikingsholm parking is available on Highway 89 at Emerald Bay. From here, it is a steep trail of the bay. This is steep as the height drops by 500 feet to the house.
Safe to say, this is not an accessible trace, and good shoes and fitness are needed here. You can also find the less steep 1.5 miles from the Eagle Point camp as an alternative.
Although Vikingsholm is technically accessible and open throughout the year, in the winter of Lake Tahoe Snowy, this trail can be treacherous. It is often icy and smooth, so make sure you are comfortable with the situation and have all the right shoes and gear for the season. There is no ride from this point, so rescue is a problem.
Alternatively, you can also arrive at Vikingsholm by boat. Boat tours and private boat sailing are available at Vikingsholm, and you can always rent a kayak and paddling across the bay, enjoying Fannette Island at the same time.
During the summer months, parking can be busy, just like the route. Be patient and try to get there early to get space and avoid people.
So, if you’re looking for something different in Lake Tahoe, see Vikingsholm. The Swedish -style castle is almost a century and a good visit.