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- D.L. Bliss State Park re-opened Thursday after three years of closures.
- Repairs cost $5 million and included a new 8-inch main water line and 25 fire hydrants.
- Day use costs $10 per vehicle and campsite reservations open six months in advance.
After three years of closures due to waterline repairs, a more than 2,000-acre state park bordering Lake Tahoe has reopened just in time for Memorial Day weekend travel.
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D.L. Bliss State Park, which reopened Thursday, is located off the southwest edge of the lake, just north of Emerald Bay, and features 165 campsites, hiking trails like the Rubicon and Lighthouse, and areas to scuba dive and swim, according to the .
California State Parks closed the park in 2023 to replace the main waterline, which was leaking into campsites, it said in a news release. Repairs were initially expected to take one summer, but the closure was later extended for two additional years, the release said.
In a November 2025 news release announcing the park’s reopening, California State Parks said the repairs cost $5 million, including the installation of a new 8-inch main water line, the addition of 25 fire hydrants and road improvements. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contributed $1.1 million to the project, the release said.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors back to Lester Beach, the Rubicon Trail and the tranquil camping offered at the park,” Acting Sierra District Superintendent Rich Adams said in the November 2025 release. “We can’t wait for you to enjoy this iconic park in the new year.”
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A virtual reopening ceremony hosted by the Sierra State Parks Foundation will begin at 10 a.m. June 11, featuring an underwater broadcast, guest speakers and a look into the park’s improvements.
Most weekend camping reservations appear to be booked on the California State Parks’ booking website. However, weekdays — including a few campsites available on Memorial Day on Monday — are more likely to have open spots.
Visitors also can enter the park for the day for a $10 per-vehicle fee, which may increase during high-demand holidays, according to California State Parks.
Reservations for next year’s camping season will open in late November. Campsites become available on a rolling basis six months in advance.
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