Donner Lake Vacation Rentals

Tahoe Signature Properties manages vacation homes at Donner Lake, on the west side of Truckee at 5,936 feet. The lake has a public beach at its west end, a state park at its east end and public piers along the north shore.

Donner Lake at a glance

• Size: 2.7 miles long and 0.6 mile wide, 1.31 square miles in all
• Deepest point: 238 feet
• Fish: lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and kokanee salmon (a California fishing license is required)

Around the lake

East end

Donner Memorial State Park covers the east end, with beaches including China Cove and a visitor center on the Washoe people, the emigrant trail, the Donner Party and the Chinese railroad workers. The lake was known as Truckee Lake before the Donner Party spent the winter of 1846 near its shore. This end is closest to downtown Truckee and Interstate 80.

North shore

Donner Pass Road, the old Lincoln Highway, follows the north shore. Along it are 37 public piers maintained by the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District, open first come, first served for sunbathing, picnics and swimming. The lake's public boat ramp is at the northwest corner.

West end

West End Beach is a 12-acre park run by the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District, with a lifeguarded swim area, boat rentals, a snack bar, a playground and volleyball courts. There is an entry fee in season. For other places to swim, see our guide to Truckee beaches.

South shore

South Shore Drive runs along the south side of the lake below Schallenberger Ridge, where the Union Pacific line crosses the Sierra. Inside the state park, the easy 1.4-mile Lakeside Interpretive Trail follows this shore.

Bringing a boat

Motorized and trailered boats need a Town of Truckee self-inspection and sticker before their first launch of the season on Donner Lake. Current steps and fees are on the Town of Truckee watercraft page. For rentals and more on boating in the area, see our guide to boating on Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake.

Trails

The 2-mile Splitrock Trail in the state park is a moderate route open to hikers and bikers. Above the north side, the Donner Lake Rim Trail has about 12 miles open between Castle Valley on Donner Summit and Northwoods Boulevard in Truckee, for walking, riding and running. The Truckee Donner Land Trust is building the southern section along Schallenberger Ridge; when it is finished, the trail will circle the lake in more than 23 miles. Our guide to Donner Lake and Truckee trails covers more routes.

Winter

The state park stays open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Sugar Bowl and Boreal on Donner Summit are the closest ski areas. Drive times to them and to Northstar are in the table below.

Drive times from the lake

Approximate times by car on clear roads, rounded up to the next five minutes. West end measured from West End Beach, east end from the state park visitor center.

Questions

Is Donner Lake part of Lake Tahoe?

No. It is a separate, much smaller lake. Kings Beach and Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe's north shore are 25 to 30 minutes away by car.

Can I bring my dog to the beach?

Not to West End Beach. In Donner Memorial State Park, leashed dogs are allowed along the shore and on the Lakeside Interpretive Trail, but not on China Cove Beach, the Nature Trail or in the visitor center.

Do I need chains or four-wheel drive in winter?

Chain controls can be posted on the roads around Truckee during storms, and once posted they are legally binding. Four-wheel or all-wheel drive with snow tires makes winter trips easier. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you drive.

Current Donner Lake homes and availability are in the listings below. For more choice nearby, see homes in Tahoe Donner and across Truckee.