Donner Memorial State Park

Getting There
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.

The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.

Seasons/Climate
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.

Operating Hours & Contact
Please call the park for operating hours. The museum is open from 9am to 4pm daily, year-round.
Telephone: 530-582-7892

Camping
Located at Donner Memorial State Park is a campground of 154 sites and a day-use area along the lake with picnic tables, restrooms, a beach, fishing, and a lakeside interpretive trail that has 18 panels which discuss the natural and cultural resources in the area.

Reservations for family campsites can be made up to seven months in advance and are strongly advised from mid-June through Labor Day.

Make Campground Reservations

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.

Activities
Public Boat Ramp
While the park has no boat launching ramp, a public ramp operated by the Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District is available in the northwest corner of Donner Lake. There is a fee charged for boat launching. For information call (530) 582-7720. The lake is open to both power and sail boats.

Fishing
The park has over three miles of frontage on Donner Lake and Donner Creek. Although the fishing is not usually spectacular, the lake has some native kokanee and planted trout. A fishing license is required. (Many fishermen prefer to use the park as a base to visit nearby lakes).

Hiking Trails
The park has about 2.5 miles (4 km.) of hiking trails. Park property in Coldstream Canyon to the south contains the alignment of the primary Emigrant Trail, which leads up to U.S. Forest Service and the Pacific Crest trails beyond the park. Maps are for sale at the Emigrant Trail Museum.

Emigrant Trail Museum
The Emigrant Trail Museum, located at Donner Memorial State Park, takes about 1 hour to visit. It depicts 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. Postcards, posters, maps, and books about the human and natural history of the area are for sale at the museum.

Pioneer Monument
Near the museum is the Pioneer Monument and the Donner Party's Murphy family cabin site. Also starting at the museum is a self-guiding nature trail which is a one half mile loop. Nature trail guides are available at the museum and campground entrance station. Staff-led hikes, special feature shows, and campfires start in late June. Hikes, ranging from one to two hours, start at the museum at 10am.

Tips & Rules
-Fires are only permitted in the established fireplaces. The danger of wildfire can be acute in midsummer.
-Dogs are permitted in the campground and picnic area but must be on a leash (six-foot maximum length) at all times and in your tent or motor vehicle at night. They are not permitted on the trails or on the beach.
-Plants and animals are protected in order to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Please do not feed the squirrels, chipmunks or any other animals.

Landscape
The park encompasses Scallenberger Ridge to the south of Donner Lake. In and around the park you can see some of the Sierra Nevada's geologic history:
-The granite that rose within the crust of the earth in enormous bubbles, then cooled and hardened, to be exposed by erosion.
-The older sedimentary rocks, transformed by temperature and pressure.
-The Sierra's steep eastern face, created when gigantic upheavals tilted a section of the earth's crust.
-The glaciers that dominated the area a few thousand years ago have left huge boulders and debris that remained when the ice melted.

Accessible Features
Camping
Seven campsites are designated accessible. Four are in Creek Camp, and three are in Split Rock Camp. All seven are generally accessible. Creek Camp. Accessible restrooms and showers are available at each restroom-shower building. Route of Travel: The route from the road to the restrooms is accessible. Split Rock Camp: Accessible restrooms and showers are now available at each new restroom-shower building. Parking. Paved level spaces are adjacent to the restrooms. Routes of Travel: Routes from the sites to the restrooms are generally accessible.

Make Campground Reservations

Picnic Area
Picnic tables are strung along the south shore of the lake. One such area just before China Cove Beach includes two tables on asphalt pads and paths that may be somewhat usable. One offers wheelchair users only 16" deep knee space under the table. A second table is similar but the knee space is only 22" high. A designated accessible portable restroom is at least usable. Designated accessible parking available for one auto is usable.

Trails
The Ridge Campground to Lake Trail is accessible for 0.08 mile.
The Split Rock Camp to the Boat Concession Trail is accessible for 0.13 mile. Both trailheads are in Ridge Campground. Parking is accessible in campsites only. Accessible restrooms and water are located in the campground.

Beach/Shore Access
A beach wheelchair is available. Check at entry station.

Exhibits/Programs
The Emigrant Trail Museum is older but generally accessible. Most exhibits are accessible. Restrooms in museum are small but may be usable for front transfers. Parking. Parking in the museum lot and route of travel to museum are generally accessible.