Lower Eagle Falls
El Dorado County, California
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- El Dorado County, California
- Access status
- Official state park trail
- The walk
- About 2.5 miles return
- Ground & access
- Steep trail, about 400 to 500 feet of climb on the way back at 6,800 feet elevation. Not wheelchair accessible.
Park in the Harvey West lot beside Highway 89 at Emerald Bay. Walk the steep Vikingsholm Trail one mile down to Vikingsholm at lake level. Lower Eagle Falls is a quarter mile behind the Visitor Center; the path does not make a loop. Return the same way, climbing back to the highway. There are no rides out.
Plan your visit
Harvey West parking lot on Highway 89, Emerald Bay State Park, by Vikingsholm Trail to Lower Eagle Falls
State Parks gives the Vikingsholm trail as one mile with a 500-foot drop, and Lower Eagle Falls a 1/4 mile behind the Visitor Center. The return figure is derived from those one-way figures.
Steep trail, about 400 to 500 feet of climb on the way back at 6,800 feet elevation. Not wheelchair accessible.
Where to start
Harvey West parking lot by Highway 89. Park hours sunrise to sunset.
Timing & water
No dogs on trails. Vikingsholm tours and the Visitor Center ended for the year on Sept 30, 2026. Winter road and trail conditions unverified.
Before you go
Emerald Bay State Park: vehicle day use $10, hourly parking $3. No reservation stated for day use.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Eagle FallsLower Eagle Falls route verifiedEl Dorado County, CA0.0 miE
Upper Eagle FallsOfficial trailhead; seasonal parking typically closes mid-OctoberEl Dorado County, CA0.2 miW- Cascade FallsResearched route and starting areaEl Dorado County, CA1.3 miSE
- Modjeska FallsShort trail from a named trailhead; limited parkingEl Dorado County, CA5.2 miS
- Horsetail FallsRoute and parking verified; conflicting fee/permit notices require confirmation.El Dorado County, CA8.4 miS
Bassi FallsPartial notes: Millionaire Trail approach documented; parking and distance convention unverified.El Dorado County, CA13 miW- Genoa FallsPublic trail system; moderate canyon hikeDouglas County, NV14 miE
Lower King's Canyon WaterfallShort official trail route and trailhead documentedCarson City, NV21 miNE- Bridal Veil FallsPartial guide: parking rules at the highway pullout are not confirmed by an official sourceEl Dorado County, CA24 miSW