Right off of I-80 in Truckee this is one of the coolest…read moreplaces of the Sierra. Donner Lake is a true mountain getaway for activities from boating & fishing in the summer to snowshoeing in winter. Although it's a fraction in size to its bigger sibling Lake Tahoe, it offers a more relaxed alternative and just as many options of things to do on and off the water. Don't miss Donner State Park while visiting the lake. It is a giant part of local history.

Backround On Donner Lake: Named after the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who became trapped in…read morethe Sierra Nevada Mountains during the winter of 1846-47. The lake was originally known as Truckee Lake, but was renamed in their memory. The Donner Party's ill-fated journey and subsequent struggle for survival has made the area a place of both historical significance and tragedy Background On Visit: Reading articles about things to do near Lake Tahoe, we decided to visit this place. Location/Parking: Located along Donner Pass Rd.. Free parking on the west end of the lake. Ambiance: The views of the pine trees and water are very nice when you drive along Donner Pass Rd.. Probably be more enjoyable as a passenger. Perhaps next time. Entertainment: 1) Boating and Water Sports: Rent boats, kayaks, paddleboards, or hydrobikes at Donner Lake Watersports. 2) Fishing: Donner Lake is known for kokanee salmon and various trout species. 3) Swimming: Enjoy the lifeguard-staffed West End Beach Park or swim at the public piers. 4) Hiking Trails Donner Lake For Thought: Choose Donner Lake for a more serene and accessible experience with a unique history and warmer water. :)

This review covers two different PCT routes-- The Castle Peak Trail and the Mount Judah Loop trail…read more CASTLE PEAK TRAIL: This moderately strenuous hike will take you to the top of Castle Peak, elevation 9,100 feet. Hiking poles are recommended, as there are sections of loose gravel along the trail, very slippery. Coming from the Sacramento area, you take the Boreal exit and turn left. MOUNT JUDAH LOOP: From Sacramento, get off I-80 at Soda Springs. Trailhead is just past the access road to Sugar Bowl, on Donner Pass Road (the old US Highway 40 and a Scenic Bypass Route). This lightweight hiking trail is a popular route for local cross-country runners. Get to the trailhead by 10:00 am on Saturdays, as the parking lot will get full quickly. We rated this trail (about 5 miles) as relatively easy-to-moderate in difficulty, but recommend poles if you don't like slippery rocks etc.

This is a review for the trail to Summit Lake - part of the Pacific Crest Trail…read more I like hiking but I'm a lightweight so I don't like long, difficult hikes. This was perfect. It was about 4.5 miles out and back, barely any uphill, lots of shade, and a beautiful lake at the end. I went on September 1st and the weather was perfect. I highly recommend this hike for families and anyone who wants a nice hike without a lot of sweating involved. Oh, and bring your dogs! We saw lots of pups on our way and we brought along 4 of our own too. It's fun to watch the dogs swim in the lake.

Visited the park in the peak of summer and it's a whole different experience. Eight years later,…read morethe entrance fee is still $10/vehicle for a day use fee, but $9 if you're a senior. During peak season this park is FULL, but big enough to find a space of your own on the beach with lots of shade trees and picnic tables. Because we arrived in the afternoon, China Cove was windy and not suitable for kayaking. Instead, I went for a walk on the interpretive trail and visited the visitor's center. From China Cove to the Visitor's Center, it's about a mile. For my effort, I received two nasty insect bites. Consider bringing repellant. When you visit the Visitor's Center, it has A/C, great displays, places to sit and watch informative videos, and a water dispenser to refill your water bottle. For indoor and outdoor activities, I highly recommend this park

July 8, 2026 - I still consider this one of the best campgrounds in CA, especially if you choose a…read morenice camping site. Lots to do here, kayaking, swimming, cycling and hiking. Beautiful forest setting with large lake. We did not have any interaction with staff, and most of the time that is a good thing. One star down, though, because the token machine for the showers was out of order, and if there are camp hosts, we didn't see them. I always research the sites before I reserve, some are much nicer and secluded than others. Lots of people come for day use also, so if you are headed to the lake from your campsite, go early to choose your beach spot for the day.

Eagle Rock is a relatively short and easy hike that's welcoming for people of all age groups. The…read moretrail itself is less than a mile long, with minimal elevation increases on your way to the top. It's a very dusty path up, so make sure to wear some proper hiking shoes and clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. I wore a white, button-up t-shirt and jeans because my in-laws failed to tell me we were going hiking before stopping at the motel. But it was such a light hike that it didn't bother me too much aside from getting my clothes dusty and dirty going up and then coming back down. At the top of the trail resides Eagle Rock, which comprises of sharp, volcanic rock. So definitely be careful while up there. For those with mobility issues, the path does not extend all the way up to the top. So you will have to clamor over some rocks in order to reach the summit. But once up top, you'll get treated to a gorgeous top-down view of Lake Tahoe to one side, and beautiful forest covered mountains on the other. The trail is dog friendly, but there are no trash cans along the path. So make sure to take back out anything you bring in. There is a small, free parking lot at the entrance to park at.

This is one of my favorite short hikes in the area. It's a very nice hike any time of year. It…read moreboasts spectacular views of the mountains, trees and lake. I came here this morning after it snowed the day prior. No one had been up here since the new snow, and my footprints were the only ones to imprint the fresh snow. Coming here alone this morning and connecting with nature by myself brought about feelings of peace and solitude, it was very nice having the entire place to myself. I was very grateful for this moment alone with nature.

The greenish blue lake looks just like a giant gem. It's also as clear as a mirror. The trails down…read morethere are really hard to walk. While walking in the woods you can just hear the wind sound and the birds singing.

Secret Cove is a really beautiful, crystal-clear beach on Lake Tahoe's East Shore, with stunning…read moregranite boulders. Parking: Along Highway 28. It fills up super early, so plan accordingly. Clothing: Optional. If you plan to wear swimwear, I'd recommend putting it on at the parking lot since there isn't much privacy or covered area at the cove for changing. How to get there: A scenic 0.75-mile hike. Water: Warm-ish (for Tahoe standards) and a bright turquoise color. There are porta-potty restrooms available at the parking lot at the start of the trail. When I went, I only saw a couple of older men fully nude; most people were wearing swimwear. The hike is a bit steep at the beginning, so sturdy shoes or water shoes are a good idea. A lot of people bring water sports gear, coolers, and picnic setups. There was even a small hippie-style drum circle near the cove, which added to the laid-back vibe. Please remember to pack out all your trash and help keep this beautiful spot clean.

Love the park has lots of parking We saw people with snow…read moreshoes Cross country skiing and sleds lots of them. Great paved trail and dog park too. Tree top was closed due to being winter but it did look like a lot of fun. Will do it when we come back in the summer.

Beautiful park. We went for the dog park and it was will worth it. Roomy and aesthetic. The trees…read moreand bushes added a nice natural feel especially in the mixed size "outback" area. It was nice that the large, small, and mixed areas all connected too so you could move from spot to spot without leashing your dog.

Got an early weekday start this morning on the trail. Started from Truckee Regional Park (free…read moreparking) and headed east to Glenshire parking. 4.53 miles with 213' vertical gain at approximately 5700' elevation. A popular ride along the Truckee river. The City has a lot of pride in this trail. Fully paved and well maintained. This trail has a lot of bike riders, families and dog walkers. Just note: lots of dogs off leash. Bike or walk the trail and then meander into downtown nearby for lunch or dinner. A perfect plan to enjoy a beautiful day in the Truckee area.

"Great place for a run, bike ride, or stroll."…read more This is one of the more well-known trails in Truckee. I call it a trail, but it's really paved. There is a nice little parking area at the trailhead off Glenshire. You can take the trail all the way to downtown Truckee. It's a beautiful vista, and obviously popular with the locals. Not long after leaving the trailhead, I spotted remnants of a dam. I'm told there used to be an ice block business located right there. The dam created a pond, used to cut ice blocks from. The day that I visited there were tons of bikers and walkers. Most of the bikers had e-bikes. Some go fast, so be aware. If you enjoy the hobby of geocaching, there are tons of geocaches along this trail. Keep in mind there aren't any facilities or water along this trail. At least, none that I saw.

Easy to get to, but parking can be tricky as it's on the side of the road in a residential area and…read morethe open spots may be taken. Hiking this short 1.7 mile trail is initially heart pounding (at least for me) because there's an incline all the way to the top. Along the way, the lake views are fabulous. Once at the top, there are little interpretive side trails that you can take (or not) and two clean vault toilets. Additionally, there are several benches from which to admire the view. The photo opportunities are obscene! On the way down, it's all downhill.

We parked on the side of the road and made our way up. The hike is 1.7 miles long. The path was…read morestraightforward, but there were some small patches of snow. At the end, you are rewarded with a view of the lake.