vikingsholm castle tour in emerald bay

Vikingsholm

Tahoe's Hidden Castle

Located in Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, this magnificent "castle" is a unique blend of nature's spectacular beauty and man's architectural ingenuity.

Emerald Bay provided the setting for one of the first summer homes at Lake Tahoe. Ben Holiday, stagecoach magnate and early-day transportation king, constructed a home there in the late 1860s. His land was eventually sold to Paul Kirby in 1880. The Kirbys built a number of cabins, intended for resort use, on the parcel of land where Vikingsholm now stands. The William Henry Armstrong family acquired the property in 1892 and they used the cabins as their summer residence for over 32 years. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the Armstrong’s land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. Vikingsholm was completed in the fall of 1929. The exceptional summer home was enjoyed by Mrs. Knight and her guests, for 15 gratifying summers, until Mrs. Knight’s death at the age of 82 in 1945.

The estate was sold to Lawrence Holland, a rancher from Nevada. He subsequently sold it to Harvey West, a lumberman from Placerville, California. In the early 1950s, Mr. West, a noted philanthropist, negotiated with the State of California and said he would donate one-half of the appraised value of the land and the Vikingsholm outright, if the State would pay him the other half of the land value. These terms were agreed upon, and in 1953 the house and property were acquired the the state.

Vikingsholm is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. It is now a part of the Harvey West Unit of the Emerald Bay State Park. The house is open for tours during the summer months and the magnificent scenery may be enjoyed all year around by those wishing to visit this beautiful setting.

Emerald Bay and Fannette Island

Lora J. Knight

Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. Her father Edward A. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two brothers, James and William Moore, into his law firm. These young men eventually grained controlling interests in a number of large companies, including National Biscuit, Continental Can, Diamond Match, Union Pacific, and Rock Island Railroad. In the 1880s Lora married James and her sister, Ada, married William.

Lora and James Moore had one son, Nathaniel, who married Helen Fargo of the family of Wells Fargo fame. During most of the Moore’s married life, James and Lora lived in Chicago, Illinois and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They also traveled extensively, making many trips to California as well as abroad. In 1915, they purchased a home in Santa Barbara, but had little time to enjoy it together since Mr. Moore died in 1916.

In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. This marriage was not successful and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. Mrs. Knight is probably known best for the building of Vikingsholm, but many still remember her because of her generous contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada and the provision of educational opportunities for young people who otherwise could not have afforded them. She also was a major benefactor to the Christian Science churches in Santa Barbara, Reno, and South Lake Tahoe. She and Mr. Knight actively promoted Charles Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic and were the prime financial backers of that flight.

Mrs. Knight

Mrs. Knight and guests at Eagle Waterfalls

Dinner honoring Charles Lindbergh

Planning Vikingsholm

When Mrs. Knight purchased the land at Emerald Bay, where Vikingsholm would be located, she was not a newcomer to the Tahoe area. For 16 years she had enjoyed her summer home Wychwood, at Observatory Point, on the North Shore. This property was later sold to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr. and is now known as Dollar Point. Through church affiliations Mrs. Knight had become acquainted with the William Henry Armstrong family, who owned 239 acres at the head of Emerald Bay. In 1928, she purchased the property from them for $250,000.

Mrs. Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect and her nephew by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. She had been impressed by the Nordic architecture of the home that Palme had designed for himself in Rye, New York. Because of her admiration of Palme’s home and the fjord-like location of Emerald Bay, she decided to have her summer home built in a Scandinavian design.

Mrs. Knight and the Palmes traveled to Scandinavia in the summer of 1928 to gather ideas for the construction of the house at Emerald Bay. They visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. They were inspired by viewing many ancient building such as wooden churches and homes in Norway and stone castles in Sweden. Photographs taken on that trip show how faithfully Mr. Palme reproduced specific features of these Scandinavian buildings in the design of Vikingsholm.

Mrs. Knight (right) with Lennart Palme and family

Rustic Scandinavian home

Roof detail on Vikingsholm

Construction

The foundation was laid in the summer of 1928. In the spring of 1929, more than 200 highly-skilled workmen were brought to Emerald Bay and housed in temporary barracks on the property. They worked diligently throughout the summer and by the end of the season the house was completed. During these months of 1929, the timbers were hand hewn, the exterior wall boards were planed, intricate wood carvings were executed, and metal fixtures, such as fireplace screens, hinges and latches, were hand forged.

Outstanding features of the Vikingsholm exterior include: granite boulders embedded in mortar, typical of Swedish stone churches and castles built in the 11th century, massive hand hewn timbers, characteristic of those used by the early Norsemen, carvings around the doors adapted from those bordering old church entrances; carvings extending along roof ridges with dragon heads crossing at roof peaks, and a sod roof with wildflowers.

The interior of the house also exemplifies the Scandinavian motif, with delicate paintings on the ceilings and walls, Nordic fireplaces throughout, and two intricately carved dragon beams hanging from the ceiling in the living room.

Furnishings were carefully chosen by Mrs. Knight to enhance and carry out the Scandinavian theme. “Selma” the clock, one of the most striking pieces, stands in the hallway. Many antiques were purchased abroad for the home. Mrs. Knight greatly admired some pieces seen in Norwegian and Swedish museums, which were not available for purchase. When she encountered such situations she hired craftsmen to make copies of the museum pieces. They were reproduced in exact detail, including aging of the wood and duplication of scratches found on the originals. The brightly painted bridal table, which stands in the living room, represents the quality of these outstanding reproductions. Fortunately many of Mrs. Knight’s original furnishings remain in the home today.

Vikingsholm in 1932, soon after construction

Window detail

The Round Room wing

Upstairs writing room

Life at Vikingsholm

Vikingsholm is noted for its outstanding architecture and scenic location. It also represents an era from the past of lavish but gracious living. A relaxed, unhurried atmosphere typified the style of life one experienced when visiting the home. Mrs. Knight would arrive for the summer in the middle of June and stay until the middle of September. She usually had a staff at Vikingsholm of approximately 15. A caretaker and his family lived on the property year around and four or five yardmen were hired locally each season to care for the grounds. The rest of the staff was brought from Mrs. Knight’s winter home in Santa Barbara and consisted of her private secretary, personal maid, cook, assistant cook, upstairs and downstairs maids, chauffeur, assistant chauffeur and laundry women.

Mrs. Knight enjoyed entertaining and invited many friends and family members to visit during the summer months. Visitors varied in age from young children to the very elderly. The length of guest’s visits ranged from a one night stay to an entire summer. Meals were sumptuous and occupied a good part of each day. Everyone gathered in the dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tea was served in the afternoon on the terrace or in the library, and occasionally at the tea house on the island. During the day guests enjoyed swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and trips around the lake, by boat or car, planned by Mrs. Knight.

Gracious hospitality was extended at all times to guests. For example, guests' cars were always washed, serviced, and filled with gas shortly upon arrival, even if the cars were only used for short trips during a stay.

Vikingsholm provided a calm, quiet, relaxed way of life combined with an elegance that is rarely found today. This way of life seemed to compliment the serenity and exquisite beauty of the Emerald Bay setting.

Mrs. Knight with Vikingsholm guests

Living Room

Dining Room

Visiting Vikingsholm

Vikingsholm is located at the head of Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed spots in the United States. This magnificent structure, now a national and California landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture outside of the Nordic countries. The property on which Vikingsholm is built includes 232 acres of Tahoe’s most beautiful vistas, the only island in Lake Tahoe, and the only waterfall that flows directly into the lake. It is a great destination for a day of sightseeing, hiking, boating, and swimming.

Vikingsholm can be reached by walking a one-mile trail from the parking lot on Highway 89, or by boat. The home is open daily for tours in the summer months from June to September. These tours are conducted by guides employed by the Sierra State Parks Foundation. A visitor's center adjacent to the main building is available for further information and the sale of tour tickets and other items.

For the latest information on tour schedules, parking, special events, and directions to Vikingsholm, please visit: Vikingsholm Tour Information

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Vikingsholm tour

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Vikingsholm Tours

This magnificient "castle", which is situated majestically among towering pines and cedars, was built as the summer home by Lora Josephine Knight in 1929.  Mrs. Knight decided that the only building appropriate to the impresive setting of Emerald Bay was to be of Scandinavian architecture.  Now a National and Califiornia landmark, Vikingsholm is available for public tours during the summer months.  The tours are conducted by the  experenced and knowledgable guides of the Sierra State Parks Foundation.  All proceeds go towards the restoration and education efforts for Vikingsholm. 

2016 TOURS:  DAILY MAY 27-SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Tour Hours: 

June 21-September 5 : Tours begin  every 30 minutes from 10:30am-4pm

May 23- June 20 AND September 6-September 30  :Tours are conducted 10:30 am-3:30 pm and begin on the half hour

Tour Fees:   Adults $10

                     Children 7-17 years: $8 and college students with ID

                     Kids 6 and under: FREE

Tour tickets may be purchased at the Vikingsholm Visitor Center located in Emerald Bay just past Vikingsholm.

Private and school group tours are available upon request by contacting the Sierra State Park Foundation office at 530.583.9911

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Vikingsholm Castle & Emerald Bay

Historic Vikingsholm Castle offers one of the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay – one of the most photographed bays in the world. For great images click the Photo Gallery just above the map below.

In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. Two hundred workers were hired to hand hew the timber, carve intricate designs, and for the interior walls hand planned the wood. Much of the materials used such as timber and granite rock came from the Tahoe Basin. There are sections of the Vikingsholm Castle that contain no nails, pegs, or spikes. Visitors are fascinated by parts of the roof covered in sod and large carved exterior sections of wood. The home was heated by six fireplaces built in Scandinavian style with unique fireplace screens.  If you have a chance take a tour of Vikingsholm Castle and prepare to be transported back into medieval times.

Mrs. Knight enjoyed summer afternoon tea on Tahoe’s only island, Fannette Island, located in the middle of Emerald Bay. Much of the tea house is still standing and offers amazing 360 degree views of the bay. If you are visiting in the summer you can rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards located at Emerald Bay beach and make your way across to the Island to climb to the tea house and take in the view.

Trail to Vikingsholm Castle Vikingsholm Castle is not accessible by car, but there is the Vikingsholm Hiking Trail (a moderate one mile hike) from the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot to the castle and Emerald Bay beach. You will find the lake views along the trial and forest setting make this a pleasant hike. There are benches along the way if you need to stop and take a rest. The trail is a smooth and spacious path made of granite gravel. 

Emerald Bay Beach Does Emerald Bay have a beach? Yes, it does and a beautiful one to lounge and soak in the bay view. Pack a picnic, your swim suit, and enjoy a summer afternoon at Emerald Bay beach just yards away from Vikingsholm Castle. If you are looking for more Emerald Bay activities read  10 Things to Do at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe to maximize your stay.

During peak summer months the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot can experience a lot of traffic and you might find parking difficult. Prepare to get there early or avoid going weekend afternoons. There are bathrooms at the bottom of the trail open during the tour season. Vikingsholm Castle tours are available during the summer and early fall months. All tours are guided and take approximately one-half hour.

Vikingsholm Castle Tour Hours  Offered 7 days a week, May 25 – September 30, 2024

Sierra State Parks Foundation guide staff offer public tours during the summer months. Experienced and knowledgeable guides conduct 30-minute tours of Vikingsholm Castle. Proceeds fund the restoration and education efforts for Vikingsholm. Visit Sierra State Parks Foundation website for further tour information to help plan ahead and make it a great day at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe.

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Vikingsholm Cruise & Tour Package

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Camp Richardson Resort is offering a cruise & tour package to the historic Vikingsholm Castle. Cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Emerald Bay. Then tour the magnificent grounds of the Vikingsholm Castle, a must-do on your Lake Tahoe adventure list! Please note, there is no food for purchase while on the cruise & tour, we recommend packing a picnic lunch for the ultimate experience!

• Adults (Ages 13+) – $109 • Children (Ages 12 and under) – $79.00

Duration and Times

• Approx. 3 Hour +/-
• 11:00am: Depart Camp Richardson Marina for Vikingsholm and Guided Tour
• 1:30pm: Meet boat on pier for return trip
• 1:00pm: Depart Camp Richardson Marina for Vikingsholm and Guided Tour
• 3:30pm: Meet boat on pier for return trip

Vikingsholm Castle

Virginia City Nevada

1900 Jameson Beach Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

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Why & How to Visit Vikingsholm Castle in Lake Tahoe

Vikingsholm Castle in Lake Tahoe sits on a lovely beach in Emerald Bay. It was built in 1927 as a summer home by Lora Moore Knight. She felt that the steep sides of Emerald Bay resembled a Scandinavian fjord and being fond of that region’s architecture, she had the house designed in that style. The result is a lux historic home that blends beautifully into the pine and granite landscape.

When you are visiting Tahoe, it’s definitely worth spending the time to take a Vikingsholm mansion tour. To whet your appetite, this article will give you some history of the home, some photos of the interior and exterior, logistical information on how to get there, and info on when you can tour the building.

History of the Vikingsholm Castle in Lake Tahoe

The Native American Washoe people living in the Lake Tahoe Basin for thousands of years and they are the original residents of the land where Vikingsholm now sits. Nearby Virginia City’s Comstock silver strike of 1859 set off mining rush that brought thousands of miners and settlers to the region, which displaced the Washoe. What is now Highway 50 became a sort of gold rush freeway between Placerville and Carson City.

Mark Twain was part of that mining rush, which he wrote about in Roughing It . It’s worth a read if you are interested in learning about the Tahoe Basin (which Twain accidentally set on fire), Gold Country and Carson City of the time. Bytheway, that forest fire is just one of many interesting factoids about Lake Tahoe .

Once the secret got out about lovely Lake Tahoe, wealthy San Franciscans and Comstock millionaires began visiting the area for recreation. Things boomed again with the advent of the motor car and the completion of the highway around Lake Tahoe sealed the deal. You can drive that highway yourself using our guide for the scenic drive around Lake Tahoe . It’s only 72 miles, but you can take all day doing it because there’s so much to see.

After burying her first husband, inheriting a fortune, then marrying her second husband, then divorcing her second husband, in 1927 Lora Moore Knight decided to purchase the Emerald Bay land and build her dream summer home. She paid $250,000 for the property, which is about $4,000,000 in today’s money.

Knight paid attention to trends of the day– and the architectural trend in the 1920’s was Period Revival. This involved building replicas of European styles. Knight choose a Scandinavian style, studding the house with hand-hewn timbers, wrought iron work, stone floors, and touches of Viking lore. The tour is really worth it because you learn a lot about the home’s craftsmanship and the high-end care that went into feeding and entertaining Knight’s guests.

After Knight’s death, the land was purchased by Harvey West who ultimately sold the property for a song to the California State Parks service. So, the Vikingsholm mansion and surrounding property is now part of the California State Parks.

If you visit a lot of CA state parks, be sure to check out our guide which lists ALL California State Parks and also our advice on whether getting an annual State Parks pass is worth it for you.

When & How to Visit Vikingsholm

Here’s an FAQ on how to visit Vikingsholm details about getting a tour.

When is the Best Time to Visit Vikingsholm?

The best time to visit Vikingsholm castle is between late May and late September. During this time, the parks service provides services, such as tours, the visitor’s center, drinking water and snacks for purchase.

The restrooms are available year-round.

Can I Visit Vikingsholm in the Winter?

IF the trails are clear, you can walk down to the grounds. BUT, that is a big IF. All of the trails to the mansion are steep and they are not shoveled or plowed. I’ve seen articles recommending that it’s great to visit Vikingsholm as a Lake Tahoe winter activity . But I don’t recommend it.

How do I Get a Vikingsholm Tour?

Tours are available seasonally from May 28-Sept 30. They last 30 minutes and cost $15 for adults, $12 for kids 7-17, and are free for kids under 7. You purchase the tickets on site at the Visitor Center. If you have a large group or visit on a busy weekend, you may not be able to get in right away. So bring your lunch and lounge on the beach while you wait.

How to Get to Vikingsholm

You cannot drive to Vikingsholm, so you’ll need to either hoof it in or go by boat. Here are your options:

The shortest and most popular trail is the Vikingsholm trail . It’s 1.7 miles round trip with a 377 foot elevation gain. You get to the trailhead by parking at the Emerald Bay State Park Lookout. This lookout has stunning views of the bay. But it’s also got a small parking lot and parking along Highway 89 is very limited as wekk. So go early or be prepared to circle.

If you are interested in extending your Vikingsholm visit into a longer day hike, then take the Rubicon trail from either Emerald Bay State Park or DL Bliss State Park . Each one has about 300 feet of elevation gain with a mix of forest and open trail. Starting from the Emerald Bay day use area is ~ 4 miles round trip. Starting from the DL Bliss trailhead is ~6 miles round trip. DL Bliss tends to fill up more quickly with day trippers.

Another way to access Vikingsholm is by boat. Even if you don’t have your own boat, you can rent one for the day at Camp Richardson (from $185) or do their seasonal Vikingsholm cruise (from $99). Cruise Tahoe also has a half day Vikingsholm tour that goes from Round Hill Resort in Zephyr Cove. If you have a larger group, you can hire a private boat and captain to take you to Emerald Cove, Vikingsholm and other spots around the lake.

See More of Lake Tahoe

• Get more history and hiking by visiting the cool Donner rail tunnels .
• Slake your thirst at one of Tahoe’s best breweries .
• Find the best Tahoe ski resorts for beginners , along with what to pack for a ski trip .

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Emerald Bay Cruise & Vikingsholm Castle Walking Tour

• Duration: 3 Hours (approx.)
• Location : South Lake Tahoe, CA
• Product code: P9NPA5

This cruise operates in partnership with the Sierra State Parks Foundation. The cruise departs from TAHOE KEYS MARINA Wednesdays through Mondays at 3:15PM and returns around 6:15PM. You will travel to beautiful Emerald Bay, where the Captain will share some of Tahoe's most interesting facts and history, setting the stage for the Vikingsholm Castle Walking Tour. Keep your eyes open for wildlife as Eagles and Ospreys, and the occasional Black Bear may be seen.

Once docked in Emerald Bay, you will disembark and begin your tour of the Vikingsholm Castle with a Sierra State Parks Foundation tour guide.  This walking tour will last approximately 30 minutes.

Cruise runs most Sundays through Wednesdays through September. Cruise schedules frequently change so call if your desired date is unavailable. (775)230-8907

Cancellation Policy- Cancellations must be made 48 hours or more prior to the cruise departure to receive a refund.

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Emerald Bay provided the setting for one of the first summer homes at Lake Tahoe. In 1863 Ben Holladay, stagecoach magnet and early day transportation king pre-empted land in Emerald Bay and built a summer home. In 1884 a Dr. Kirby bought 500 acres in the Bay and built a resort. A portion of the Kirby land was sold to the William Henry Armstrong family in 1895. Mrs. Knight purchased the land from the Armstrongs in 1928. Mrs. Knight's land included the only island (Fanette Island) in Lake Tahoe and the only water fall (Eagle Falls) flowing directly into the Lake. Magnificent cedars and pines set off by shear granite cliffs make this one of the most scenic areas in the entire United States. Mrs. Knight wanted to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. Emerald Bay reminded her of many of the fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the plans. Learn all about the rich history of Emerals Bay and Vikingsholm Castle on this informative tour!

Tours of Vikingsholm Castle are available seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. The first tour of the day starts at 10:30 A.M. and the last tour at 4:00 P.M. All tours are guided tours and take approximately one-half hour. The tour fee is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children (7-17). Children under 7 are free. The maximum number of people on a tour is 30.

Limited parking is available in the Vikingsholm parking lot off of Highway 89. The parking fee is $10.00. (It is advisable to come for morning tours as there are more parking opportunities at that time.) A one-mile steep, but well defined, trail leads from the parking lot to Vikingsholm. Many scenic views can be enjoyed during this walk. There are various resting places along the trail. It is to be stressed, though, this is a steep trail at an elevation of over 6,300 feet.

Bus service to the parking lot is available from both North Shore and South Shore. There is no public boat service to Vikingsholm, but Vikingsholm can be reached by private boat. A dock is provided for loading and unloading only. Beaching a boat is allowed in the bay from dawn to dusk. Tour boats are available from South Shore and North Shore. These boats allow passengers to view Vikingsholm from the water, but they do not dock in Emerald Bay. Limited handicapped access is available.

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Vikingsholm: Scandinavian Castle of Lake Tahoe

Right in the middle of one of the most beautiful lake beaches in all of California, Emerald Bay, is a Scandinavian  home built in the mid-1900’s that is now affectionately known as the castle of Lake Tahoe. This castle comes complete with a fun history of an eccentric millionaire that bought up the land and brought Scandinavia  to the United States. You can still tour Vikingsholm daily to get a glimpse into the life and history of the castle. Here is all the information.

• Cost: $15 for adults and $12 for kids (prices as of 2019)
• Hours: 10:30 AM to 4 PM, tours are an hour-long and begin every 30 minutes
• Open May 25 – September 30, 2019

Getting There

To get to Vikingsholm, you must park in the state park lot directly above Emerald Bay, which costs $10, then walk down a one mile road to the bay where Vikingsholm is located. This hike is beautiful on the way down but a decent uphill walk on the way back up. You will want to buy your ticket for the tour at the visitors center that is about 300 feet past Vikingsholm (open 10 – 4 daily).

This is the short history; you can read the long history here .

In 1928  Mrs. Knight bought 239 acres around the bay from a friend for $250,000. She traveled to Scandinavia to research the house she was to build there. After hiring an architect, the house was built for a cost of $125,000 in 5 months. She spent 15 summers here and also created a 16′ x 16′ tea house on the island out in Emerald Bay. When she passed away, the house was sold to a man who flipped it to another wealthy landowner. He kept the land for a little while before gifting it to the California State Parks for $125,000 in the early 1950s.

Living Room

After lining up outside the main entrance of the house, the tour began, and we entered Vikingsholm.

The first room you go through is the living room. In here, there are many different antiques and replicas from Scandinavia. The original owner even commissioned exact replicas based on pieces in the national museum, so it looked as close as possible to Scandinavia.

While we were there, we saw one of the old boats that tour Emerald Bay go by as well. I haven’t done this, but I am sure it is a fun way to see the lake.

In the living room, there was a big standing clock that was one of the prized possessions of the house and welcomed guests when they entered.

From here, the tour moves into the courtyard where our guide explained all about the road the owner put in, the design of the exterior, and where the hired help lived. You have the opportunity to see the old cars that are still in the garage as well.

Turning around, you can also see the roof where she planted wildflowers and had a full sprinkler system.

The maid and the cook quarters are also open if you are interested in seeing where they lived.

After the courtyard, you are free to walk upstairs and see all of the well-preserved rooms. Here are a few photos:

My favorite room was the one at the end of the hall, which had a full fire-place right near the bed and a reading room that overlooked the water. It would be a fantastic place to relax and read.

The Maid Quarters and Kitchen

After seeing the upstairs, you can go down to see the kitchen as well.

My favorite part of the kitchen was the old KitchenAid that was still there.

After the kitchen, the tour is officially over, but you can walk around for a while and see what you may have missed on the first go-around. Eventually, you will have to leave as they make way for another tour.

All in all, I am glad I got to experience and understand more of the history of this area. Emerald Bay is one of the most beautiful places in California, and you must experience it. Whether or not you should take this tour is up to you. If you like history, I am sure you will love it, if not then you can probably just spend time on the beach. Make sure to leave a comment below with your thoughts.

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Take a Tour of Vikingsholm – Lake Tahoe’s Castle

California , North America , United States

Located in Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm – Lake Tahoe’s castle – is a gorgeous historic mansion constructed in the 1920s. It’s modeled after Scandinavian architecture and the original owner and her architect traveled throughout the region drawing inspiration from homes and castles there before beginning the building process. Nowadays, visitors to Vikingsholm Castle can take a guided tour inside or just enjoy the scenery surrounding the beautiful building.

Getting to Vikingsholm

Emerald Bay State Park is in the southwestern corner of Lake Tahoe and can be reached by car, boat, bike (strenuous ride), or by hiking. There is a small parking lot at the trailhead that will take you to Vikingsholm that requires a fee. If the lot is full – as it often is during the summer – there is limited parking available along certain parts of the main road. Just look out for tow away zone signs and make sure you’re clear of the road.

Check opening dates and hours at the official website for Vikingsholm Castle .

Hiking the Vikingsholm trail

The road and parking lot are located high above Emerald Bay, and getting down to water level where you’ll find the castle requires taking a walk down the Vikingsholm Trail. This mile-long gravel pathway was originally the driveway for the mansion, but it’s not open to private vehicles these days. The trail descends steadily downwards through a series of long switchbacks. Before you leave the parking lot, there are signs warning that the climb back uphill can be strenuous and recommending that anyone with medical conditions not attempt the hike. You’re also warned that there are no rides out if you’re struggling. The Emerald Bay State Park website does have a note about making arrangements for handicapped visitors, so there may be other options for visiting.

The Vikingsholm Trail has some killer views along the way.

The trail was as easy to follow as it gets, so you’d really have to try to get lost along the way. As you wind your way down to lake level, you’ll be treated to peeks of the bright blue water popping out between the pine trees. The way down was definitely easier, but I’m in my early 30s and mostly out of shape and even coming from the very flat Midwest I didn’t find that the trail was too much of a struggle for me to get up. I stopped once on the climb up and sat on a large tree stump overlooking the bay to enjoy the view while I drank some water. If you take it slowly and give yourself breaks when needed, I think it’s doable, but you have to make your own choice.

You’ll definitely want to bring appropriate footwear to hike the Vikingsholm Trail. I passed a group making the walk in flip flops (presumably for some Emerald Bay beach fun) and they were discussing how much they regretted that choice.

Vikingsholm Castle tours

Guided tours inside the mansion are offered during the summer season every 30 minutes from 9-4pm. You can purchase your tickets from the small visitor center just past the mansion at the end of the trail. Credit cards are accepted there, and a selection of souvenirs, ice cream bars, and bottled drinks are also available for purchase. I enjoyed snacking on a strawberry ice cream bar along the shore while I waited for my tour to start.

I think they were excited to start the Vikingsholm Castle tour.

Our group met at the large doors facing the lake and got an introduction to the house’s history. This is actually the back door, though you’d never guess that with its ornate carvings.

Inside the living room, our guide showed us some of the period furniture the original owner, Lora Knight, had acquired on her travels through the Scandinavian countries as well as the architectural details that were copied from real castles in Europe. Some of the pieces that she liked the most weren’t for sale, so she had detailed sketches made of them and her woodcarver recreated them down to the last detail for her home.

We also got a peek inside the dining room. Evidently her guests were all required to attend dinner in formal attire. After meals, she would frequently have the whole party driven up to the main road and then they’d all walk down what’s now the Vikingsholm trail – ladies still in their heels – for exercise. I’d have broken an ankle or two making that walk in heels.

My biggest disappointment was that the library/reading room in the turret part of the building was only visible through a doorway at the far end of the living room.

After showing us around the first floor, our guide took us out the front door into the entrance courtyard. Here we learned a bit more about how summers were spent here (she wintered in southern California). I loved the grass-covered roofs of the out buildings, which are still irrigated by the original sprinkler system installed during the original construction.

The outer courtyard was also where the staff stayed, and several of the doors were open so you could peek into the kitchen and their quarters. Current staff members do live in some of the rooms, so be respectful of the ones that are marked as off-limits.

After finishing her spiel about the history of the house, our guide let us back inside to explore the upper floor on our own. The hallways are somewhat narrow here, so I’m assuming it’s done this way to spread out the foot traffic so everyone can see. While we were outside, she had told us what each of the rooms was used for so we knew what we were looking at.

I don’t know about you, but I’d have been all over this guest room in the turret. Mrs. Knight also had a screened in sleeping porch on the third level that she used to get fresh air at night and that sounds absolutely heavenly even though we didn’t get to see it on the tour.

As we were free to explore the second level at our own pace, everyone milled around in smaller groups and eventually filtered out through the covered portico that marked the entrance to the courtyard.

Kayak to Fannette Island

One of the places mentioned on the tour is Mrs. Knight’s tea house on Fannette Island. The tea house is not included in your tour, but you can grab an Emerald Bay kayak rental from Kayak Tahoe just a short walk from the house. You can rent single or tandem kayaks or stand up paddle boards to head out into the bay. The rental staff can give you more tips for where the best place to land on the island is.

It should take you 10-15 minutes to paddle across to the island where you can beach your kayak and hike up to the tea house. I think the views of the surrounding slopes are the real treat here. There are no services on Fannette Island, so you’ll have to pack out any garbage you might generate.

Once you’re done exploring the island, you can return to the Vikingsholm beach or explore some more in your kayak.

Other things to do near Vikingsholm

Ducks like the Emerald Bay Beach too – there were even some ducklings cruising around the first time I visited.

There is a small beach area right in front of the castle. The roped off swimming area has some shallow area for splashing, but it does drop off pretty quickly so keep kids close to shore if they’re not good swimmers. I swam out to the rope and could see straight to the bottom thanks to Tahoe’s famously clear water. Swimming here will be most pleasant late in the summer when the water is at its warmest. The water was absolutely perfect in late August and was a great way to cool off before starting the hike back up the Vikingsholm Trail.

You’ll also see signs for the Eagle Falls trailhead. This short hike involves a little bit of elevation gain but it takes you to a decent sized waterfall that’s part of the series of cascades you may have driven past when parking. This trail does not lead to the very top of the waterfall though – if you want to get up to see the top of Eagle Falls, you’ll need to hike back up the Vikingsholm trail.

Check out these other Lake Tahoe posts:

• Ten Best South Lake Tahoe Restaurants
• Hiking Your Way to a Spectacular View of Lake Tahoe
• How I Skied for Free at Lake Tahoe
• Squaw Valley for Beginners

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Vikingsholm Castle

California-89, Tahoma, California

Vikingsholm Castle is a historic mansion and architectural highlight of Lake Tahoe. Located in beautiful Emerald Bay State Park, the majestic home overlooks the lake’s scenic Emerald Bay and Fannette Island. Blending seamlessly with its surrounding natural environment, Vikingsholm is considered to be one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere.

Vikingsholm dates back to 1929, when it served as the summer home of Lora Josephine Knight. After visiting Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden for design inspiration, Knight had the 38-room house constructed using only natural materials from the area—no nails, pegs, or spikes. She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island in the middle of the bay, accessible by boat, kayak, and canoe. Lake Tahoe boat tours often pass by the Vikingsholm, and cruises that visit Emerald Bay share history of the house and the area. You can also spy Vikingsholm from the air by helicopter tour. To see the interior of the house, you must be on a guided tour led by an official state park guide.

Vikingsholm is a top Tahoe attraction for architecture buffs.

The castle’s interior is available for 30-minute, fee-based tours in summer, from late May to late September.

Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes if making the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) hike to the castle.

While the castle can be seen from the water, road, and sky, getting an up-close look is difficult for those with limited mobility.

Vikingsholm is located in South Lake Tahoe on the California (western) side of the lake. To get to the mansion, take Highway 89 to the lake’s southwest shore. The house is a short, 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) hike away from the Emerald Bay State Park lookout parking lot, which is worth stopping at for views of the bay and Fannette Island. Public bus service is available from both the north and south shores. Private boats can also pick up and drop off from a dock near the home.

Visitors can see the house exterior at any time of year. House tours are available only during the summer, from late May to late September. Guided tours last 30 minutes and are conducted on the half hour from 10:30am to 3:30pm.

As you enter the castle, take a look at the sod roof, which covers both wings of the house. It sprouts wildflowers each spring. Once inside, be sure to notice the level of exquisite detail, from the delicate paintings on the ceilings and walls to the antique furnishings and Nordic fireplaces.

Vikingsholm Castle is a historic mansion built in 1929 with traditional Scandinavian architecture. The mansion is located in Lake Tahoe, California, and sits on the shores of Emerald Bay. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and a popular attraction in Lake Tahoe.

Vikingsholm Castle was planned and built by Lora Josephine Knight, a widow from Chicago looking for an isolated area to build. The foundation was laid in 1928, and construction finished in 1929. Knight used the mansion as a summer home until she died in 1945.

Yes, Vikingsholm Castle is open to the public seasonally, from Memorial Day until the end of September. Tours run on the property from 10:30am to 4pm daily. Tickets are purchased at the visitor center, and reservations are not required.

You can visit Vikingsholm Castle by boat or hiking. By water, you’ll need to book a boat tour or rent a boat. If you choose to do the steep 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) trail hike, you can park in the popular lot off Highway 89 at Emerald Bay and walk.

Yes, 30-minute guided tours of Vikingsholm Castle are available via tickets purchased at the visitor center. Emerald Bay State Park runs the paid tours daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children 6 and under are free, and students, seniors, and military personnel get a discount.

Yes, to reach Vikingsholm Castle, you'll have to take a hiking trail to the mansion. Other popular hiking trails in Lake Tahoe include Bayview Trailhead, Eagle Falls Trailhead, and Rubicon Trailhead South. There are also other hiking options inside Emerald Bay State Park.

Things To Do Available ( 7 )

3 hour private boat charter with captain.

Duration: 3 hours

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Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Tour: South Lake Tahoe to Tahoe City

Duration: 120 to 150 minutes

Emerald Bay Private Boat Tours

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ultimate Lake Tahoe Self-Driving Audio Tour

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Lake Tahoe: Private Boat Charter for Up to Six

Duration: 4 hours

Lake Tahoe Private Luxury Power Boat Charter

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Historic Vikingsholm Hike At Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Published By Jennifer Bourn on September 6, 2015

This past Labor Day weekend, we took a quick, fairly last minute trip to Lake Tahoe for two full days of outdoor adventures and hiking. We opted to come back Sunday post hiking to give us all one full day at home to relax before getting back to school and work.

The first day of our Tahoe weekend getaway included hiking the upper Eagle Falls trail , riding the Heavenly Gondola to the mountaintop, and enjoying a fabulous dinner at Riva Grill . Now with a good night’s sleep under our belts we were off to hike down to the historic Vikingsholm Castle on the shores of Emerald Bay.

Like we did with the Eagle Falls hike, we got up super early in the morning to hit the local grocery store for sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, cookies, and drinks for another yummy picnic in the Tahoe National Forest — and to get to the small Vikingsholm parking lot before it filled up!

Vikingsholm Trail

The Vikingsholm Trail starts at a stone observation area high above Emerald Bay . There are plenty of places to enjoy a picnic, relax, and take in the stunning views of the sparkling blue-green waters of Emerald Bay, serene Lake Tahoe, and Fannette Island . We spent quite a bit of time here as the kids love to climb all over the large boulders and granite rock formations.

The trail is a wide, mostly paved, two mile, round trip hike, descending and ascending roughly 450 feet in elevation. It starts just past the parking lot and is very steep. Every so often there are benches to sit and rest. We didn’t need the benches on the hike down to Vikingsholm Castle , but stopped fairly often to check out several smaller waterfalls along the side of the trail.

The hike uphill to the parking lot was a completely different experience. We used every single bench on the hike back to rest. Going down is fast, so fast that you don’t think much of the hike back up until you have to do it — and let me tell you, ascending 450 feet in elevation to the observation area (6,300 feet elevation) in just one steep mile is tough, even for those in good shape!

Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay State Park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1969 for its brilliant panorama of glacier carved granite. Then in 1994, it was designated an underwater state park and is the resting place for many boats, launches, and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century and in the construction of Vikingsholm.

We reached the shoreline of Emerald Bay well before the tours of Vikingsholm Castle began for the day, so we decided to explore the area and go play on the beach.

On our upper Eagle Falls hike, we discovered that Eagle Falls had dried up in the California drought, which meant there wasn’t much to see at the bottom of the 170 foot lower Eagle Falls. We were bummed, but it meant we could hike through the waterfall bed, over rocks, and around driftwood and fallen trees, finding all sorts of interesting treasures.

On the beach we found the beginnings of a fort made out of giant driftwood pieces.

Carter was in heaven and took off running the minute he saw with Natalie not far behind him. Clearly we were going to spend a lot of time playing in the fort. We easily spent over an hour just dragging over more driftwood to beef up the fort and make it bigger. It was so fun to just play and relax and build — and to do it in such an exquisite location with views of Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island, and the mountains around us.

Eventually it started to get hot and we knew it was time to figure out the Vikingsholm tour details so we could check out the inside of the authentic Scandinavian Castle replica. Pulling the kids away from the driftwood fort wasn’t easy though!

Historic Vikingsholm and Fannette Island

We paid for the Vikingsholm Castle guided tour at the small visitor center and gift shop, then headed over to the front of the Castle to wait for the tour. We got there only a few minutes early and there were already a lot of people waiting. They do limit the tour size, so be sure to be there early if you don’t have time to wait for the next tour.

We’ve toured a lot of historic buildings and the inside of Vikingsholm was impressive and way better than we thought it would be . The docent leading the tour was entertaining, informative, and answered all of the questions from the group. She also didn’t rush us through the house or the courtyard, letting us explore the rooms and look around at our own pace — which was very helpful with the kids.

Vikingsholm, considered to be one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture existing in the United States, was one of the first ever summer homes on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

Here are just a few facts about Vikingsholm:

• In 1928, Mrs. Lora Knight purchased the property for Vikingsholm — 239 acres at the head of Emerald Bay — from William Henry Armstrong for $250,000.
• In the spring of 1929, more than 200 highly skilled workmen were bought to Emerald Bay and housed in temporary barracks on the property. They worked diligently throughout the summer and by the end of the season the house was completed.
• The exterior Vikingsholm architecture includes round granite boulders embedded in mortar, massive hand hewn timbers, carvings around the doors, carvings extending along roof ridges with dragon heads crossing at the roof peaks, and a sod roof seeded with wildflowers.
• The interior of the house features delicate paintings on ceilings and walls, Nordic fireplaces located throughout the home, and two intricately carved “dragon” beams hanging from the ceiling in the living room.
• Many antiques were purchased for the home in Scandinavian countries and shipped to Tahoe. Items she loved in museums in Norway and Sweden that were not available for purchase were reproduced to exact detail, down to the aging of the wood and the duplication of scratches on the originals.

Located in the center of Emerald Bay, Fannette Island is the only island in Lake Tahoe. The island, made mostly of granite with sparse timber, rises 150 feet above the water and features a stone structure at the very top that looks like a miniature castle. The 16×16 foot structure with a small fireplace in the corner, is actually the tea house Mrs. Knight had built during the construction of Vikingsholm.

When we finished the tour, we found a secluded, shady spot under the trees to enjoy our picnic lunch and take a break before gearing up for our hike back up Vikingsholm Trail to the parking lot. No one was excited about the one mile hike uphill in the blazing hot afternoon sun. Thankfully we had a lot of water, took a lot of breaks, and didn’t rush it. I was seriously never so happy to finally see the parking lot!

Tips For Hiking To And Visiting Vikingsholm

• Bring lots of water and snacks or a picnic lunch. There is nowhere to purchase food or water once you reach the bottom of the hike.
• Wear comfortable tennis shoes or hiking shoes. The trail is mostly paved, but it is very steep — and keep in mind that the hike back to the car is a one mile hike, all uphill, rising 450 feet.
• The Vikingsholm parking lot is about 9 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89 and it isn’t very big! Get there early for a better chance of snagging a parking space, and bring cash to pay for parking.
• You can tour historic Vikingsholm Castle seven days a week throughout the summer. Tours are about 30 minutes long and begin every hour on the half hour. Bring cash though as the tour costs roughly $10/person.
• Only 30 people are allowed on each Vikingsholm Castle tour, so if you’re there on a very crowded day or holiday weekend like we were, be sure to pay attention to the time and be at the castle doors early.
• If hiking in the summer or on a warm day, consider wearing your bathing suits under your clothes. We were so ridiculously hot and wished we had our suits on to play in the water at Emerald Bay beach.
• Dogs are not allowed on any trails or roads into Emerald Bay, nor on the beach.

Someday I’d love to rent kayaks, head out to the island, and hike to the top to check out the remains of the Tea House. I’d also love to try an alternate hike to Vikingsholm along the Rubicon Trail that begins at D.L. Bliss State Park , also on the West shore of Lake Tahoe.

What About You?

Have you hiked down to historic Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay? Did you visit by Boat tour? Were you lucky enough to visit when Eagle Falls had water? What did you think of the home and the beach?

I’d love to hear from you!

Previous Hiking Upper Eagle Falls Trail At Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

The Heavenly Gondola And Riva Grill At South Lake Tahoe Next

Jennifer Bourn

Designer, Wife, Mom, And Life Juggler

With 22 years experience as a graphic designer and 16 as a web designer/ creative agency owner , Jennifer helps small businesses build brands, create content, and grow profitable online platforms. Her renowned business systems and automations allow her business to thrive while she travels with her husband of 21 years and two teenagers, squeezes in daily workouts , tries new recipes , embarks on ambitious craft projects, speaks at events, facilitates workshops , and leads online courses .

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Vikingsholm: A Brief History (Nordic Castle at Emerald Bay)

When visiting Emerald Bay, or driving around it, the island sitting in the middle of the bay is what tends to draw the eyes of both first-time visitors and long-time Lake Tahoe locals. Fannette Island, as it’s called, is the most recognizable feature of Emerald Bay and happens to be the only island located in Lake Tahoe. For this reason alone, it’s worth stopping to take pictures of the geological curiosity.

Upon closer inspection, however, people are surprised and intrigued to find a small stone structure sitting atop Fannette Island. “What is that and who built it?” or some variation thereof is a typical response to this discovery.

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The short answer is that it’s a “teahouse” and was built in 1929 under the direction of Lora Josephine Knight as part of her summer home called Vikingsholm.

As with most lessons in history, however, one question begets another so that answer is only a fraction of the story yet to come…

Please note that although this article is, in some ways, a virtual tour of Vikingsholm, it’s not meant to replace visiting and/or taking an actual tour of the place. My intention is to provide contextual information to enhance your experience when visiting Vikingsholm, as well as to offer a starting point from which to launch your own inquiry into Vikingsholm and Lora Josephine Knight. Also, if you’re simply looking for directions to visit Vikingsholm click on Vikingsholm Castle .

Background of Lora Josephine Knight

Lora Josephine Small was born in 1864 in Illinois. She spent much of her early life and time during her first marriage living in Illinois and Wisconsin, and traveling across the country and overseas.

In 1916, she and her first husband, James Moore (who, along with his brother, held a controlling interest in large US companies), moved to Montecito, CA. James Moore unfortunately died soon after the move.

Sometime at the beginning of the 1920s, Lora Small Moore married a St. Louis-based stockbroker named Harry French Knight. They divorced prior to 1929, but Lora kept the “Knight” name.

Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. She made financial contributions stretching from Santa Barbara, CA, to Reno, NV, and went toward youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. And, as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she provided financial support for his flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

For the 16 years prior to purchasing Emerald Bay, Lora Knight had owned and used as her summer home the area that is now called Dollar Point (near Tahoe City).

Although she was not of Scandinavian decent, Lora Knight held in high esteem the art and architecture of the Nordic countries.

It was the fjord-like appearance of Emerald Bay and the surrounding mountains that truly inspired her to envision Vikingsholm . In 1928, she purchased the 239 acre lot of Emerald Bay (which included Fannette Island) at an appraised value of $250,000.

Construction of Vikingsholm

Soon after her acquisition of Emerald Bay in 1928, excavation of the site began.

However, early winter storms caused construction to be placed on hold.

Once the snow melted enough to resume work the following spring, a small army of 200 skilled laborers (all of whom lived on site) set about building Vikingsholm. The craftsmen were hired locally, coming from Reno and Sacramento, and were paid $18 per day (equivalent to about $300 per day in today’s money).

Within six months, the Scandinavian-style castle was completed.

Vikingsholm sits at the head of Emerald Bay and is obscured by trees, which is why you can’t see the castle from the road above Emerald Bay (SR 89).

In fact, even after you’ve hiked down the trail from the parking lot the one mile and 500 feet of elevation drop to witness it first-hand, you’ll still be challenged to take in the castle in its entirety.

I would argue that there’s no one quintessential view or aspect of Vikingsholm that sums up the entire place. This isn’t by accident.

When exploring Vikingsholm, you can’t help but marvel at the details of its construction and craftsmanship, nor can you help but feel like a child exploring the forest and trying to see what lies just beyond that next tree or boulder.

Like any masterpiece, there’s mystery inherent within Vikingsholm’s design that causes you to keep looking and asking more questions. Vikingsholm isn’t a standard square or rectangular structure that seeks to maximize its footprint in relation to the acreage its set upon. Rather, the place is dynamic because it forms a circle.

Although the lumber, stone, and other raw materials used in the construction of Vikingsholm were sourced locally, Lora Knight required of her architect, Lennart Palme (nephew by marriage), to design Vikingsholm without cutting down any trees in the immediate area. So, the surrounding trees not only grow around the castle’s outer edges. They also grow from within its courtyard giving the impression that, perhaps, Vikingsholm simply sprung from the forest floor one day.

On top of (nearly) everything, literally, is a sod roof that further camouflages its presence.

The use of the term camouflage is not a completely accurate description, however, because that implies deception. This was not the intention of Lora Knight. Rather, she sought harmony between her home and the existing landscape.

She ultimately wanted a place that would blend in with the natural surroundings. So, the sod roof was originally included in the design and it has always incorporated native grasses and wildflowers because Lora Knight made a point to use native species whenever planting around Vikingsholm.

Unfortunately, during the last few years some of trees on the north side of the castle have been lost, so most of the grasses on that side of the sod roof (in spite of the integrated irrigation system) have dried out and died.

Most of the furniture throughout the castle are replicas of Scandinavian furniture.

While traveling to the Nordic countries with Lennart Palme in preparation for the building of Vikingsholm, Lora Knight was unable to buy or obtain original pieces due to the laws in place at the time prohibiting the exportation of items or works of value. Therefore, most of the replicas were designed based on Lora’s photos and drawings.

Those pieces of furniture were then either built or assembled primarily in Sacramento. For example, the stained glass used for the windows was imported from Sweden, but it was sent to Sacramento for assembly.

Fate of Vikingsholm

Sometime after Lora Knight’s death at the age of 82 in 1945, a rancher from Nevada named Lawrence Holland bought Vikingsholm from her estate. It’s said that he had intentions of developing Emerald Bay into a playground for the Hollywood elite.

Fortunately, that vision never manifested and he wound up selling the property to a lumber man from Placerville named Harvey West. Although Harvey West appreciated the property he, too, gave up any plans to make use of it or further develop the site.

Amazingly, it’s thanks to Harvey West that Emerald Bay is now public property.

The reason being is that in 1953, he agreed to donate one-half of the land’s appraised value to the State of California so long as they compensated him the value of the other half. At that time the land was 282 acres, yet the value had still only been appraised at $250,000! So, the State of California acquired Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm for $125,000.

One would think that California’s acquisition of Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm would be a boon for the public. However, for about a decade after its acquisition in 1953 the property laid dormant.

It fell into disrepair and everything began to decay. This prompted the state to start dismantling structures in the 1960s, beginning with the servants’ quarters and outlying guest homes, as well as to remove multiple trees (that had been carefully preserved by Lora Knight). The idea behind the clean-up process was to return Emerald Bay to a more primitive state and then feature campsites and picnic areas throughout Emerald Bay.

Not the worst idea in the world, but did you happen to notice that architectural work of art that happens to be sitting in the middle of everything? You know, the one that resembles a Scandinavian Castle?

In the state’s defense, however, Vikingsholm wasn’t a historical site at the time since it had only been in existence for about 30 years. Though, it still seems odd that they didn’t perform more research into the origin of Vikingsholm due to its unique nature.

Helen Smith to the Rescue

In 1965, a woman named Helen Smith was handed a newspaper article by her child’s babysitter. “Have you ever been to this place?” the babysitter asked.

The article described Vikingsholm, California’s acquisition of the property, and what they were planning to do with Emerald Bay.

The reason the babysitter asked about Vikingsholm was because Helen had told her about the visits she made to Lake Tahoe as a young child.

Helen Smith’s mother was one of Lora Knight’s college scholarship recipients, and the two of them developed a friendship over the years.

In fact, Helen Smith’s parents were allowed to honeymoon at Vikingsholm while Lora Knight was traveling in Brazil. Later, Helen Smith’s family would drive up from their home in Santa Barbara each summer to spend a few weeks at Vikingsholm.

Helen Smith had been one of the few children who actually visited Vikingsholm since Lora Knight was much older and generally associated with people her own age.

Thoughtfully, Lora Knight invited a local girl to visit whenever Helen was at Vikingsholm. Those two girls still correspond and see each other from time to time.

Another example of Lora Knight’s thoughtfulness and compassion occurred when Helen Smith accompanied Lora Knight (and other guests) on a road trip to Reno. On the drive back to Tahoe, they stopped at a small store and Lora gave Helen a dollar to buy some paper dolls. Helen went inside and began to look around. However, she couldn’t make up her mind about which paper dolls to buy. Lora came into the store to see why Helen was taking so long. Helen explained her dilemma, then Lora said, “We gotta learn how to do this.”

Helen was horrified that she held up the group, so she followed Lora’s instructions. Lora showed her a step-by-step process whereby Helen would eliminate the ones she didn’t want and then having narrowed down the field, choose the ones she really wanted. Helen has stated that she still often uses this process of elimination when making decisions.

After reading the newspaper article in 1965 about Vikingsholm, Helen Smith and her husband took a trip to Lake Tahoe and visited the site. She was astonished to find so many original items and furnishings remaining at Vikingsholm after so many years and after passing through so many hands. For example, she found many of the original water pitchers still sitting next to the beds.

What Helen Smith found disappointing, however, was that no one onsite knew much about Vikingsholm. The stories personnel told her did not line up with her personal experience having lived at Vikingsholm.

Helen Smith contacted the California State Parks office and offered her services to help educate people about Vikingsholm.

However, the state’s response was something to the effect of, “We don’t hire women in the field at State Parks.” Although she could’ve worked as a secretary in an office for State Parks, the role she was attempting to fulfill was technically a field position. And, it was still around 1965, so workplace discrimination was rampant.

Several years later, and after having been a teacher and earning a PHD in Education from Stanford University, Helen Smith became one of the first women in the field for California State Parks.

For over 40 years, Helen Smith communicated with the public regarding Vikingsholm and lived four summer months each year onsite. She has since retired, but still takes part in various events such as the Sierra State Parks Foundation’s “Conversation with History: My Summers at Vikingsholm.”

There are a million and one details about Vikingsholm, Lora Josephine Knight, and Helen Smith that would be fun to discuss, but you’d be better served learning about them by actually visiting the historic site.

I highly encourage making a day trip to Emerald Bay to see Vikingsholm and, if at all possible, taking an actual guided tour.

Just keep in mind, however, that Vikingsholm is only open during summer months for guided tours, so check online before visiting to ensure they’re open.

I also encourage you to become a member or simply donate to the Sierra State Parks Foundation so that they can continue to care for and maintain Vikingsholm.

For more information visit:

• Sierra State Parks Foundation
• Vikingsholm
• Vikingsholm: The Legacy of Lora Knight & Helen Smith (DVD) #ad
• Vikingsholm: Tahoe’s Hidden Castle (booklet written by Helen Smith and can also be purchased from the Sierra State Parks Foundation store) #ad

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Although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility. Tahoe Trail Guide copyright © 2016-2023 by Jared Manninen. All rights reserved.  This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Per the Associates Program Operating Agreement I must disclose the following statement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases” when you buy something via an Amazon.com advertisement.