Park & nature
Donner Memorial State Park
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, California, preserves the history of the Donner Party, a group of pioneers stranded during the harsh winter of 1846–1847. Visitors can explore the Emigrant Trail Museum, which displays artifacts and tells the story of the ordeal. The park offers hiking trails through pine forests and along Donner Lake, as well as camping facilities. The Pioneer Monument marks the site where the party's cabins once stood, offering a poignant reminder of the area's past.
Don't miss
- Visit the Emigrant Trail Museum to see Donner Party artifacts and exhibits.
- Hike the nature trails for views of Donner Lake and the surrounding mountains.
- See the Pioneer Monument, a 22-foot granite shaft dedicated to the pioneers.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Donner Memorial State Park
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inSelf-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City4★ · 24 travelers2–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$15 per personSee dates →
Best full dayGrand Canyon West, Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Lunch and Skywalk4.9★ · 23,550 travelers10–11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$94 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park5★ · 211 travelers~9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$445 per personSee dates →More attractions in Truckee