Donner Lake and Donner Summit

Donner Lake and Donner Summit offer lake days, hiking, climbing, snow play, history, and scenic mountain views near Truckee.

Things to Do

• Swim, paddle, fish, and picnic at Donner Lake
• Explore Donner Summit hiking and climbing areas
• Visit historic sites and viewpoints
• Enjoy snow play and winter recreation

Lodging

Starter lodging list for this destination. Check each property directly for current rates, availability, pet rules, fees, seasonal closures, and booking policies.

• Sugar Bowl Resort Lodging – mountain village rooms and ski-area lodging on Donner Summit.
• Donner Lake Inn B&B – bed-and-breakfast near Donner Lake.
• Truckee Donner Lodge – hotel near Donner Lake and Donner Memorial State Park.
• Best Western Plus Truckee-Tahoe Hotel – Truckee hotel close to Donner Lake and I-80.
• SpringHill Suites Truckee – all-suite lodging near Donner access.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Tahoe-Truckee – Truckee hotel option for Donner trips.
• Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe – Truckee lodging with mountain-town basecamp style.
• Boreal Area Lodging – lodging information for Boreal/Woodward Tahoe trips.
• Donner Summit Rentals – cabin and vacation-rental options around Donner Summit.
• Visit Truckee-Tahoe Lodging Guide – current lodging directory for Truckee, Donner Lake, and Donner Summit.

Restaurants

Starter restaurant list for this destination. Check each restaurant directly for current hours, reservations, seasonal closures, and menu updates.

• The Summit Restaurant & Bar – Donner Summit dining inside the historic summit lodge area.
• Yarrow at Sugar Bowl – Sugar Bowl dining option in the Village Lodge area.
• Rainbow Lodge Restaurant – classic Sierra lodge dining near Donner Summit.
• The Dining Room at the Village Lodge – Sugar Bowl Village Lodge dining option.
• Red Truck – Truckee/Tahoe cafe and catering favorite near the Donner area.
• Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats – downtown Truckee dining close to Donner Lake.
• Bar of America – historic downtown Truckee restaurant and bar.
• Truckee Tavern & Grill – downtown Truckee dining and cocktails.
• Squeeze In – breakfast and brunch in Truckee.
• FiftyFifty Brewing Co. – Truckee brewery and pub food.

Outdoor Activities

Starter outdoor activity list for this destination. Check official sources for current conditions, permits, road status, wildfire restrictions, snow closures, and seasonal availability before heading out.

• Donner Memorial State Park – Lake access, trails, camping, beach days, and local history.
• Truckee Donner Land Trust Trails – Castle Peak, Donner Summit, open space, and trail access.
• Sugar Bowl Resort – Skiing, snowboarding, and Donner Summit mountain access.
• Boreal Mountain California – Skiing, snowboarding, snow play, and Woodward Tahoe.
• Royal Gorge Cross Country – Extensive cross-country ski and snowshoe trail network.
• Donner Party Hike – Annual guided hike and history event on Donner Summit trails.
• Truckee-Tahoe Outdoor Adventure – Hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, rafting, and snow sports.
• Tahoe National Forest – Public-land recreation around Donner Summit.
• Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District – Local parks, programs, and beach/recreation amenities.
• Tahoe Rim Trail – Longer hiking and backpacking options near the Donner-Tahoe region.

Events

Starter events list for this destination. Event dates, venues, ticket availability, and seasonal schedules change often, so check each calendar or organizer directly before making plans.

• Visit Truckee Tahoe Events Calendar – Regional Tahoe-Truckee festivals, markets, live music, outdoor events, races, and community happenings.
• Truckee Chamber Events Calendar – Business mixers, community events, workshops, art walks, and local Truckee happenings.
• North Lake Tahoe Events – North Shore concerts, festivals, markets, races, and seasonal celebrations.
• Visit Lake Tahoe Events – South Shore concerts, festivals, sports, holiday events, and lake-area celebrations.
• Palisades Tahoe Events and Activities – Resort events, live music, competitions, village festivals, and seasonal mountain activities.
• Tahoe City Downtown Events – Tahoe City markets, concerts, community festivals, and downtown events.
• Tahoe Art League Events – Art shows, classes, exhibits, and creative community events around Lake Tahoe.
• Truckee Roundhouse Events – Maker workshops, community classes, youth programs, and creative events in Truckee.
• Truckee Donner Recreation Events – Community recreation programs, sports, park events, and seasonal activities.
• Tahoe Fund Events – Conservation, stewardship, recreation, and community events supporting Lake Tahoe.

Shops & Services

Starter shops and services list for this destination. Check each business or organization directly for current hours, reservations, rental availability, service areas, and seasonal operations.

• Donner Summit Rentals – Cabin rentals, dining guide, local services, and Donner Summit trip resources.
• Visit Truckee-Tahoe Lodging and Services – Visitor guides, local businesses, transportation, lodging, and trip planning.
• Sugar Bowl Rentals and Services – Ski and snowboard rentals, tuning, lessons, tickets, and Donner Summit resort services.
• Boreal Mountain Services – Tickets, rentals, lessons, Woodward Tahoe, parking, and resort planning.
• Royal Gorge Cross Country – Cross-country ski rentals, trail passes, lessons, and snowshoe services.
• Truckee Welcome Center – Maps, visitor information, local business help, and transportation resources.
• Truckee Chamber Business Directory – Local shops, services, outfitters, guides, wellness, contractors, and visitor businesses.
• Truckee Donner Land Trust Trails – Trail information and open-space access around Donner Lake and Donner Summit.
• Tahoe National Forest – Forest roads, trailheads, campgrounds, permits, closures, and public-land services.
• Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District – Parks, beach access, recreation programs, facilities, and community services.

Nearby

• Lake lodging
• Restaurants
• Trails
• Outdoor services