This is a beautiful park and we had a great location (127) with water at our site and bathrooms…read morejust yards away. But, Hwy 80 is probably less than 200 yards away and there's a train track above the camp. I remember lying in our tent thinking, "what is that noise? It's just constant." No Doppler effect of approaching traffic, just a solid din. Sorry to say we decided to visit the town (beautiful) and enjoy a shop or two (loved Cornerstone Bakery; stop in and grab a few things, as their pastries are superb) and decided to break camp early and enjoy a quiet night sleep. I don't mind clanging pots to keep the bears away, but incessant freeway traffic noise was just miserable. We'll return, but visit another site (there's lots to see here).

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.

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.

Buy your parking pass online ahead of time. Remember to display it on the dash. You have to get…read morehere before 8:30am to secure a parking spot. If you are late, you will not find parking at all even if you paid for the pass. There are a lot of people who just double-park and create a parking mess and may block you in. It's absolutely crazy on the weekends here. There's 2 bathrooms and they are horribly nasty and disgusting. If you have kids, just have them wear diapers, lol. There's a limited area of hills to sled down so you'll be sharing it with other families. Just be courteous to others and a bunch of kids.

Smow day was a success! First time here at this snow park. We planned ahead and bought parking…read morepermit online as its $10 per vehicle. We got here at 8 am and was perfect, few cars and less people playing. We parked near and had the area to ourself for at least an hour and half till it got busy. Theres plenty of snow and sliding area to enjoy. Theres also a restroom on site, just bring a spray as it gets smelly. Recommendations- go early, bring your own snow slid & enjoy for as long as you want.

For the July 4th 2026 fireworks show, our friends, who are residents of Truckee, offered to get my…read moreparty of 6 tickets to see the show at West End Beach at Donner Lake. In order to buy the tickets at the Community Recreation Center, you must be able to show one proof of residency (driver's license, service/utility bill, car registration, current tax bill with an address in the district) and a resident can buy up to 8 tickets. Tickets are NOT sold at the gate. At $25 per person, the whole experience which includes the show at 9:30pm, games for the family beginning at 1:30pm, really good live music, plenty of port-o-potties, and lake fun complete with water rentals, food concessions is pretty good. Being this was our first time at West End Beach, there were lots of decisions to make. After researching this event, here's what we decided: - Take the free shuttle from Truckee High School which begins at 3pm - Bring our own food that was packed in a thermal bag to keep it hot instead of heating up the food at the beach. Although alcoholic beverages are allowed, glass of any kind is prohibited and checked at the gate. When we arrived at the beach around 4pm, there appeared to be no good picnic spots near the lake because those people arrive early in the morning before the gate opens at 9am. However, there's plenty of space to have a picnic meal with picnic tables, but the roped-off area in the park specifically states that the area must be cleared by 7pm. While there was plenty of space in the roped-off area, where would we go after 7pm? As it turns out, things and people begin to shift by about 7pm. In order to avoid putting things away in the dark after the show is over, people are putting their canopies and other equipment away and the family games have ended creating more space to watch the fireworks. After walking around, we found some open spots in the grass to lay down our picnic blankets to watch the show. Speaking of arriving early, there is a beach parking lot which has a limited amount of spaces and those people arrive by 6am to claim those precious spots. One lucky person I spoke with said he arrived at just before 7am to claim the last parking space. Having a parking space would have meant I could have launched my kayak, but my party of 6 was content to play in the water and play games while waiting for the 9:30pm show. If you're going to cook or heat your food, you must bring your own equipment. In fact, you see people cooking on their full-sized BBQs! There were only a few people cooking on the charcoal grills. After the show is over just before 10pm, the shuttle buses are waiting, but it takes a while for everyone to load. Nevertheless, we made it back to the Truckee High School around 10:45p. Since there was some wait time on the bus, I struck up a conversation with the person next to me who said he didn't arrive at West End Beach until 8:40pm and there was still plenty of space for him and his daughter to see the show. If you want to skip bringing your own food/beverages, chairs, and umbrellas, arriving before the show starts sounds like a good option. Lying on our blankets with our coats on was an ideal way for us to watch the show as it felt up close and personal. The show was spectacular.

It's a great, convenient beach, but it will cost ya. They do charge and it's not cheap and this…read morebeach gets crowded. The beach itself has a large sandy area, which is fun. In the summer, there are plenty of life guards, a fairly large parking lot that does fill up fast, pickleball courts, and boat rentals. However, it can get so crowded, so buyer beware. When it's not crowded, it's lovely! Overall, a great Donner Lake beach.

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. :)

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.

Well maintained parks and clean bathrooms, always a stopping place for us when in the area.read more

Truckee, California…read more There is no real purpose to go inside the building. You have a good vantage view of this small town from the Stone Tower & the patio that is accessible 24/7. The weather was 36 degrees in June so do not think for a second all of California is beaches & palm trees. Truckee is the gateway for Reno & Lake Tahoe with Sacramento & Central/Nor Cal in general. The town has more significance than it may appear. The Donner Pass is also adjacent to this town. The tower is still a cool spot to check out, take pictures and if your lucky get in a snowfight in the early summer months =) Travel safely my friends. @cigarcpa

What a cool park for the kiddos and others!…read more There is lots of parking and room to run. Don't forget the two playgrounds, tables throughout, bbqs, bathrooms, and fields for sports. If your looking for a place, look no further, this it it. What a cool park for the kiddos and others! There is lots of parking and room to run. Don't forget the two playgrounds, tables throughout, bbqs, bathrooms, and fields for sports. If your looking for a place, look no further, this it it.

This is the best playground in Incline Village. It also has…read morepicnic tables and restrooms.

wear a mask-- you're really not supposed to breathe in bat poop, or guano, it's not great for your…read morelungs. but great time!

Came here a few years ago & could not get into the tunnels because the entrance was frozen over…read more Well today it's a different story. Beautiful place & something the kids will enjoy. Only thing you should definitely have is... Boots, water, protein bars, portable charger. You have those few things & you will have a good time.