Please refer to the appropriate state water quality agency website (California, Nevada) before heading out to your favorite beach, lake, or river to check for algae watches, warnings, or dangers.

  • Donner Memorial State Park Beaches Image 1
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Donner Memorial State Park Beaches

East shore of Donner Lake, Truckee


Situated on the southeast portion of Donner Lake, Donner Memorial State Park features beautiful beaches, boat rentals, hiking, interpretive paths, and a visitor center that details the history of the Donner Party, indigenous peoples, the Transcontinental Railroad and more. With its shimmering shores and stunning views of Donner Summit, the park is a highlight of the Truckee area.

Donner Memorial State Park Beaches
East shore of Donner Lake, Truckee

Hours of Operation

Sunrise to Sunset.

Beach Features

  • Boat Rentals
  • Drinking Water Available
  • Fishing Nearby
  • Guided Tours
  • Hiking
  • Interpretive Site
  • Mountain Biking Trails
  • Paddleboard/Kayak Rentals
  • Parking
  • Parking/Day-use Fee
  • Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) Rentals
  • Picnic Tables
  • Public Bathrooms
  • Swimming
  • Visitor Center

Beach Contact

Tel: (530) 582-7892


Helpful Information

NO FIRES: Charcoal and wood fires are prohibited in all Day Use Areas of Donner Memorial State Park. Propane/gas grill use is allowed. 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. Check the Truckee-Tahoe Travel Alert for updates.

DOGS: 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. 

FREE PADDLING TOURS: Join a paddle tour led by an experienced raft guide on Donner Lake! First come, first served. All ages welcome with priority for youth participants with a parent or guardian. Tours last 45-minutes, covering over 3/4 miles of lake exploration. Learn more.

VISITOR CENTER: Explore the history of the area and the people who came into this part of the Sierra, including the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, the Donner Party of 1846, and Railroad Chinese 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.

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. 

FISHING: The park has 1.5 miles of frontage on Donner Lake and Donner Creek. The lake has kokanee and planted trout. CA fishing license are required. 

BOAT RENTALS: Donner Lake Watersports offers watercraft and beach rentals, (530) 582-1999.

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. 

PARK BROCHURE: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/503/files/DonnerMemorialSPFinalWebLayout2017.pdf