Interpretive Programs and Events
Weekly Interpretive Programs
*Unforseen circumstances may cause occasional program cancellations. Please contact Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center (530-582-7892, donnermuseum@parks.ca.gov) to confirm the interpretive program you plan to attend.
Educational Resources
Park Interpretive Content and Historic References - Donner Docent website
Donner Self-Guided Nature Loop Brochure (.5MB)
Donner Summit Historical Society
Historical Tours
Schedule: Monday-Wednesday at 11am, Thursday-Sunday 11am & 1pm
*These tours are offered in late spring, summer, and fall months until snowfall limits our ability to facilitate these programs.
Join a 45-60 minute walking tours led by a local expert on the Donner Party of 1846 and other fascinating aspects of the park! Learn about the arduous overland journeys of California emigrants, Washoe Native American culture, and natural history of the region.
Lakeside Interpretive Hikes
Schedule: Saturdays at 10:30am-12:30pm
These walking tours cover up to 3-miles roundtrip along the Lakeside Interpretive Trail and offer stunning views of Donner Lake, Sierra Nevada mountain range and summit, and the park's extraordinarynatural and culture features.
Junior Rangers
Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays 12-12:45pm.
Geared towards ages 7-12, these active 45-minute long programs cover a variety of topics including Washoe Native American culture, fire ecology, and natural history of the region.
Park Cleanup
Schedule: Spring – Fall, dates and times to be announced Spring 2022.
Donate your time to a righteous cause! Become a steward of the park and help with cleanup projects while hiking the beautiful trails. Please bring your own work gloves to reduce single-use plastic waste. We supply gloves, trash grabbers, and buckets.
Guided Mountain Bike Tours
For detailed information, please visit this page.
PORTS Virtual Programs
PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) Program is a FREE distance learning program with California State Parks!
PORTS uses the power of videoconferencing to support K-12 educators in designing deep and meaningful learning experiences in virtual and in-person classrooms.
The Donner Party of 1846: Explore the region where the famous Donner Party spent the tragic winter of 1846 with a California State Park Interpreter. We will highlight the California emigrant experience and other important natural and cultural features of Donner Memorial State Park.
PORTS Home Learning Program - Join our California State Parks Interpretive Specialist to learn about the Donner Party of 1846 in this free, live public broadcast.
PORTS On Demand - Schedule an interactive virtual presentation with your class or group with a California State Parks Interpreter to learn about the Donner Party of 1846.
