TheLakeInsiderThe insider's guide to America's luxury lakes
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Donner Lake · The outdoor list

Trails, docks, farms, markets.

The boat launch with the deepest channel. The trail to the gorge. The farm stand that takes Venmo. The icon you've heard of and the one you haven't.

Parks & trails

1 listed
  • Truckee
    Donner Lake Rim Trail
    Editor's pick

    A Truckee Donner Land Trust project building a full loop around Donner Lake and Donner Summit — about 15 of a planned 23 miles complete. The full rim segment runs 13.3 miles with 2,339 feet of elevation gain; a popular shorter loop to Summit Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail covers about 6.5 miles.

Boat launches

1 listed
  • Truckee
    Donner Lake Marina
    Editor's pick

    A boat rental operator near the lake's boat ramp — stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, hydrobikes, jet skis, motorboats, and paddle boats, with two locations on the water.

    Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Sat–Sun 8am–6pm(530) 582-5112Visit site ↗

Iconic stops

3 listed
  • Truckee
    Rainbow Bridge
    Editor's pick

    A 240-foot arched concrete span completed in 1926 on Old Highway 40 (the original transcontinental Lincoln Highway route), with a compound-curve design that drew engineers from around the country — it overlooks Donner Lake directly from Donner Pass.

  • Truckee
    Donner Memorial State Park
    Editor's pick

    A 3,549-acre state park established in 1928 on the lake's east end, preserving the Donner Camp site — designated a National Historic Landmark. The visitor center's museum covers the Donner Party, the Washoe people, and the Chinese railroad workers who later built through Donner Pass.

    Visitor center daily 10am–5pm(530) 582-7892Visit site ↗
  • Truckee
    Pioneer Monument
    Editor's pick

    A monument at Donner Memorial State Park completed in 1918, standing on a 22-foot pedestal at the site of the Donner Party's Breen cabin, facing west toward Donner Pass.