Truckee & Donner Summit

Welcome to Truckee, California, where the Tahoe National Forest, Donner Memorial State Park and gorgeous Lake Tahoe are at our doorstep. A rich alpine environment supports mountain plants and wildlife, a place that Native Americans, the Donner Party, and early settlers called home and now you can too - for a day, a week or a lifetime.

Highlights

Travel with purpose! Learn about Sustainable Truckee and how you can get involved.

Visit Donner Memorial State Park for relaxing at the beach, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and family-friendly interpretive hikes.  Stop at the Visitor Center and Museum to explore Truckee’s history including Native Americans, the Donner Party, and builders of the transcontinental railroad.

Want a list of things to do in Truckee? You’ll find all-inclusive trails, biking, boating, hiking, rock climbing, and more!

Learn about tips for working remotely during your stay so you can be in vacation mode and be productive, too!

Resources

Visit Truckee-Tahoe’s website to find more activities and dining.

For the best Truckee lodging rates and deals, book lodging during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall).

Browse hotels, lodges, inns and beautiful, unique mountain homes!

Check out Truckee-Tahoe Travel Alert for current news and events.

Experience Mountain Life in Truckee and Donner Summit

Welcome to Truckee, California, an authentic mountain town surrounded by the Tahoe National Forest and just a 20 minute drive from gorgeous Lake Tahoe.. The air is clear, the sky is blue, and there’s a plethora of outdoor activities at your feet. Virtually every outdoor activity – from fly fishing to backcountry skiing – is available withplenty of knowledgeable, local guides to help you ease into something new! For rainy or snowy days, you can enjoy vinyl stores, indoor rock climbing, live music, or relaxing spa days. For the foodie in you, take your pick of mom ‘n pop diners and sophisticated restaurants influenced by the nearby San Francisco Bay Area food scene. And everywhere you look, Truckee’s natural beauty surrounds you, mountains,  trees, alpine lakes, wildflowers, and wildlife.

The (Really) Great Outdoors

Truckee and Donner Summit area playground for the outdoor adventurer and also a place to relax, unwind, and be immersed in nature. If you’re staying in Truckee, you can find a variety of guides and outfitters for any adventure, any season!

Known for snowy winters, you’re close to world-class ski resorts and cross country areas for every skill-level. . For a change of pace and scenery, explore Truckee-Tahoe’s endless backcountry terrain with a local guide who knows the snowpack and terrain and will tailor a fun ski tour to your skill and experience level. Powder turns feel even better knowing that you’ve earned them one uphill stride at time!

In the warmer months, there’s no end to adventure ideas. Check out Donner Lake’s beaches and 37 public piers for swimming, paddleboarding, and sun-bathing, go hiking or trail running on beautifully maintained Tahoe National Forest dirt trails, work on your swing at stunning high-altitude mountain golf courses, discover Truckee’s dark night sky full of stars, and much more. 

For some of the best mountain biking in the Sierras, including all-inclusive trails that everybody can enjoy and 35 miles of singletrack open to Class 1 e-bikes, you don’t have to go far. Once you pedal to the top of that steep hill, the brilliant blue lake glitters beneath you for a breathtaking view. Stop and rest, and take in the scenery. You can also check out the Truckee Bike Park for free! Or, get out and climb some of the best granite routes in California. Truckee and Donner Summit are known for spectacular rock climbing; you’ll find routes for trad, sport, top rope, and more bouldering than you can handle. So be sure to bring your shoes and harness!  

Winding Down & Hitting Pause

Downtown Truckee should not be missed! This historic train depot is now a bustling downtown center with shopping, dining, lodging, and more. There’s plenty of indoor recreation in Truckee to suit your day. Make your way to Word After Word Books and browse the shelves for any genre and rare finds. Then, if you head down to the cellar you’ll discover Rock Cellar Records where you can buy and sell vinyl records and listen to records, too. Take a break and kick back in the lazy river at the Community Swimming Pool. For the foodies and connoisseurs, Truckee has lots of options for dining, refreshing drinks, live music, and great entertainment.