Tier 3 · Curiosities

Rubicon Point Light

Tahoma · El Dorado County · Inland (Lake Tahoe)

InactiveruinsPublic accessmoderateCalifornia State Parks (D.L. Bliss State Park)

Photo coming soon

Year first lit

1919

Current structure built

1919

Tower height

7 ft

Focal plane

200 ft

Optic

Acetylene gas light (automated from first lighting)

Light characteristic

White flash every 5 seconds (when active)

Owner

California State Parks (D.L. Bliss State Park)

Manager

California State Parks

Coordinates

38.9614, -120.1108 Map

Current hours

D.L. Bliss State Park hours (day use)

Fees

$10 day use fee (California State Parks)

History

Rubicon Point Light (1919) was one of a series of small acetylene-powered beacons placed on Lake Tahoe by the US Army Corps of Engineers to aid navigation on the lake. It was discontinued in 1921 after only two years of operation. The concrete base and remnants are accessible via a hiking trail in D.L. Bliss State Park.

Why it matters

One of the few inland lighthouses in California. The hike to the ruins offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Added to the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List in 1997 due to deterioration.

The visit

The Rubicon Point Lighthouse Trail (2.5 miles round trip, moderate) in D.L. Bliss State Park leads to the concrete ruins of the lighthouse on a dramatic cliff above Lake Tahoe. The trail offers excellent lake views. Only the concrete base remains.

Logistics

Recommended base

South Lake Tahoe or Tahoe City

Nearby food / coffee

Meeks Bay Resort, Tahoe City restaurants

Nearby lodging

D.L. Bliss State Park campground, various Tahoe resorts

Inland curiosity; not part of any coastal circuit. Appendix entry for completeness. Suitable for a Lake Tahoe day trip.

Nearby lighthouses

Sugar Pine Point Light

Tahoma, Inland (Lake Tahoe)

Tier 3InactivePublic accesseasy

Inland curiosity; one of the few Lake Tahoe lighthouses. No structure remains but the state park is worth visiting for the mansion and lake access.

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Sources

Officiallighthousefriends.com/light.asp
Officialen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon_Point_Light
Officialparks.ca.gov
Secondarycaliforniathroughmylens.com/rubicon-point-lighthouse
Secondaryalltrails.com/trail/us/california/rubicon-point-light-lighthouse-trail
Imagescommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rubicon_Point_Light.jpg

Image rights: Wikimedia Commons images available. Historic USCG/Army Corps photos are public domain.

Research confidence: high · Last verified 2026-05-13