When you feel like visiting Lake Tahoe’s brilliant blue waters, Northern California’s D.L. Bliss State Park is a great place to visit. This humble state park is located on the western shore of the lake and it boats a myriad of notable features. Full of hiking trails, campsite, picnic spots, and jaw-dropping Tahoe scenery, visiting this park always ends in an adventure. If you do stop by D.L. Bliss in the near future, be sure to follow the sweet little nature trail in the park that takes you to Balancing Rock, a weird geologic wonder that you simply have to see with your own eyes.
D.L. Bliss State Park is a popular spot to soak up Lake Tahoe's beauty and the park's Rubicon Trail is perhaps its most popular hike. However, a lesser-known nature trail will lead you straight to a truly bizarre geologic wonder known as Balancing Rock.
Located approximately 17-miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, the park boasts all types of recreational opportunities ranging from kayaking to camping. But if you only have a brief amount of time to spend at the park, the short one-mile nature trail is a great way to go.
The trail can be found in the northwest section of the park. It's relatively flat and easygoing, making it the perfect mini-adventure for families. Along the way to Balancing Rock, hikers will enjoy views of other large granite formations amid the forest scenery.
Of course, the highlight of the trail is the massive boulder that seems to be precariously placed on a smaller rock beneath it. The overlying rock weighs around 130 tons, so be sure to snap a picture of this weird marvel!
Visitors have sought out this strange boulder since the late 1800s but it's only a matter of time before Balancing Rock balances no more. A large horizontal crack can be observed right at the boulder's "waist." As the crack continues to weather and the structure erodes, the boulder will eventually fall.
If you feel like extending your adventure at D.L. Bliss State Park, you can always hop on the popular Rubicon Trail. Stretching to Emerald Bay and back, it provides one of the most glorious adventures along Lake Tahoe's shoreline. The views are just amazing!
For a day of adventure and fun around North America's largest alpine lake, this lovely little state park is a great spot. Whether you have just a few hours or an entire weekend to spend here, be sure to see the awesome and weird Balancing Rock.
Did you know about this weird geologic wonder in D.L. Bliss State Park? This lakeside park is just full of surprises. Tell us your favorite thing about visiting this park in the comments below.
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