Sunrise to Sunset - Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Years Day
Visitor Center (530) 582-7892
Campground Kiosk (530) 582-7894
Donner Memorial State Park
This park unit is fully open. State Parks will continue to use a monitor and adapt strategy to meet any new guidance it may receive from local and state public health officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly, especially for the elderly, immune-compromised and the unvaccinated.
COVID-19 Guidelines (February 16, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
COVID-19 Guidelines (February 16, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
- Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
- Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
- Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Effective March 1, 2022, state guidance recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue masking in indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers. Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings. Please plan ahead as local county guidelines may differ from state guidance and visitors are urged to follow county guidelines when required. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
- Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
Phone Number
(530) 582-7894
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: Up to 24 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 28 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs are allowed on the Lakeside Interpretive Trail, Zig Zag Trail, fire roads, and along the shore of Donner Lake except for China Cove Beach. Dogs must always remain on a six-foot (maximum) leash. Dogs are not allowed in the visitor center, on the half-mile Nature Trail, or China Cove Beach. Dogs are not allowed on designated ski trails when snow is present.
Driving Directions to Donner Memorial State Park
The park is 100 miles east of Sacramento via Interstate 80, and is within the town of Truckee, just west of downtown on the south side of the freeway.Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boat Rentals
Boating
Boat Rentals
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Access
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Museums
Family Programs
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Museums
Family Programs
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
UPDATES
FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN ALL OF NEVADA COUNTY- Fireworks are illegal in all areas surrounding Donner Lake. Please help keep your beautiful forest safe. Report any illegal fireworks. For more information on public shows please visit Truckee Donner Parks and Recreation.
FIRE BAN - Due to dry conditions and a finding of extreme fire danger: Charcoal and wood fires are prohibited in all the Day Use Areas of Donner Memorial State Park.
During National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings, wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all California State Parks Campgrounds and Day Use Areas in the Sierra District. These areas include Sugar Pine Point, DL Bliss, Emerald Bay, Kings Beach SRA, Tahoe SRA, and Donner Memorial State Parks.
FIRE BAN - Due to dry conditions and a finding of extreme fire danger: Charcoal and wood fires are prohibited in all the Day Use Areas of Donner Memorial State Park.
During National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings, wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all California State Parks Campgrounds and Day Use Areas in the Sierra District. These areas include Sugar Pine Point, DL Bliss, Emerald Bay, Kings Beach SRA, Tahoe SRA, and Donner Memorial State Parks.
Welcome to the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Donner Memorial State Park is located in the scenic the Sierra Nevada mountain range at an elevation of about 6,000 feet.
This legendary alpine park offers summer camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking. During winter, visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe on trails, and play in the snow. Visitors are welcome year-round to visit the famous Pioneer Monument, built to commemorate the California emigrants traveling west during the mid-1800's.
The Visitor Center features compelling exhibits that illuminate the Emigrant Experience, the Donner Party, the Land of the Washoe, Chinese construction of the railroad, and early motoring adventures over Donner Pass.
Welcome to the Visitor Center
Open 10:00am - 5:00pm everyday.
To make reservations for interpretive programs, please visit: School Field Trip and Group Reservations Page for guided and self-guided tours, Mountain Bike Tour Reservations Page, and Paddling Tour Reservations. These programs are all no-cost and supported by the Sierra State Parks Foundation.
Visitor Attractions
Parking: Fees are required to park in the parking lots year-round. You may pay for parking in the Donner Memorial Visitor Center (10am-5pm) or self-register your parking payment using envelopes at the entrance kiosk (summer) or the Automated Pay Machine (summer and winter) outside the Visitors Center. Day Use hours are sunrise-sunset, seven days a week.
Rates:
May 1 - September 30: $10 per vehicle for the day.
October 1 - April 30: $5 per vehicle.
Annual passes are available to purchase in Visitor Center.
Bus Fee: $100/day
Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center: Explore the history of the area and the people who came into this part of the Sierra, including local Native Americans, the Donner Party, and builders of the transcontinental railroad. Visitors can expect to spend about one hour exploring exhibits. Postcards, posters, maps, and books about the human and natural history of the area are for sale in the Visitor Center.
Pioneer Monument: Dedicated to the pioneers who crossed the Sierra on their way to the west, it stands on the spot where the Schallenberger, and later the Breen, cabin once stood. California Historical Landmark #134 it was completed on June 6th 1918, and sits atop a 22 foot pedestal and faces westward toward Donner Pass.
Completed in 1918 by the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Pioneer Monument has been on display in this park for 104 years. In order to ensure that the monument is here to greet future generations of visitors, California State Parks is undertaking a comprehensive restoration of the monument. Conservators are cleaning and stabilizing the masonry stones and bronze sculpture. It is anticipated that the restoration of the monument will be complete by the fall of 2022.
For public safety, please maintain distance from construction activities.
Day Use: Day Use hours are sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Day use area along the lake with picnic tables, restrooms (open from Memorial Day to Labor Day), a beach, fishing, and a lakeside interpretive trail featuring panels focusing on the natural and cultural resources in the area.
Camping: The Donner Memorial State Park campground offers 154 sites with picnic tables, restrooms (open from Memorial Day to Labor Day), beach, fishing, and lakeside interpretive trail. More information: Camping Information page.
Ridge Campground Will open 5/26/22
Splitrock Campground will open 6/2/2022
Creek Campground will remain closed for the 2022 season
Hiking Trails: The park has over 8 miles (12.9 km) of hiking and over-the-snow trails. Park property in Coldstream Canyon to the south contains the alignment of the primary Emigrant Trail, which connects to U.S. Forest Service trails and the Pacific Crest Trail. Brochure maps are available online and at the Donner Memorial Visitor Center.
Fishing: The park has over two miles of frontage on Donner Lake and Donner Creek. Although the fishing is not usually spectacular, the lake has kokanee and planted trout. Fishing licenses are required. (Many fishermen prefer to use the park as a base to visit nearby lakes).
Public Boat Ramp: The park does not have a boat launching ramp. A public boat launch ramp, operated by the Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District is available for a fee, in the northwest corner of Donner Lake. For information call (530) 582-7720. The lake is open to both power and sail boats. No overnight mooring within the park.
Additional Visitor Services
- Donner Lake Watersports (Water craft and beach rentals)- Currently open for the season, (530) 582-1999
Location - Directions
Donner Memorial State Park is located 100 miles east of Sacramento via Interstate 80, and is within the town of Truckee, just west of downtown on the south side of the freeway.
Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing
Summer temperatures range from about 75 degrees during the day to the low 40s at night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to a low of 20 degrees. The weather forecast is available with NOAA.gov.
Food Storage Locker Information
Metal bear-resistant food lockers are provided in each campsite. All food, beverages, and toiletries are required by law to be stored in provided food lockers. The inside dimensions of the food lockers are 36" deep, 43" wide, and 28" high. Violators will be cited.