Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Donner Memorial State Park offers a tranquil setting nestled within the high Sierra Nevada mountains. While it is primarily known for its rich historical significance, the park provides a rustic camping experience that connects visitors directly with nature. The campground is thoughtfully integrated into the forest, offering a peaceful environment for those who prefer a quiet retreat over a luxury resort setting. It serves as a beautiful base for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated in Truckee, CA, the park is perfectly positioned near the site of the infamous Donner Party tragedy. The landscape is characterized by <strong>towering pine forests</strong> and proximity to the stunning Donner Lake. Travelers will find themselves surrounded by alpine beauty, with easy access to the dramatic mountain passes that define this region of Northern California. The location offers a quintessential mountain escape, providing crisp air and incredible views during every season.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The campground is designed for those who appreciate a more traditional camping experience. It features <strong>paved campsites</strong> that can accommodate various RV sizes, though guests should check length restrictions carefully. The park provides standard amenities including <strong>flush toilets and coin-operated showers</strong> for guest convenience. While the sites are rustic and lack full hookups, the presence of dump stations and potable water ensures that self-contained RV travelers can manage their needs comfortably during their stay.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Beyond the campsites, the park is home to the Emigrant Trail Museum, which is a must-visit for understanding local history. Visitors can enjoy miles of <strong>scenic hiking trails</strong> that wind through the woods and along the shoreline of Donner Lake. During the warmer months, the lake is a popular destination for swimming, boating, and fishing. In the winter, the surrounding area becomes a gateway for world-class skiing and snowboarding in the Lake Tahoe region.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This park is best suited for <strong>nature lovers and history enthusiasts</strong> who prefer a rustic, scenic environment. It is an ideal stop for families or couples looking to unplug and enjoy the serenity of the Sierra Nevada. Travelers who do not mind the absence of full hookups and value access to trails and cultural landmarks will find this location to be a rewarding and memorable addition to their California road trip itinerary.</p>



The Donner Memorial State Park is located in Truckee, California. It is a California State Park that commemorates the ill-fated Donner Party, a group of pioneers who were stranded in the Sierra Nevada Mountains during the winter of 1846-1847. The park features a museum, a monument, and a Pioneer Monument Trail. The museum contains artifacts and exhibits related to the Donner Party, including a replica of the Donner Party's cabin. The monument is a granite obelisk that stands at the site of the Donner Party's camp. The Pioneer Monument Trail is a 1.5-mile loop trail that passes through the area where the Donner Party camped. The trail features interpretive signs that provide information about the Donner Party and the area's history.

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Donner Memorial

Donner Memorial State Park

Explore Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, CA. A scenic, rustic getaway perfect for history lovers, featuring paved sites near stunning Donner Lake.

Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, CA RV Guide

Nice little museum with history of the event and of the area in general

Great little museum to learn about the Donner party and the trek west! The short nature trail was really nice taking you by the little steam. We were able to spot a few fish!

Interesting and informative small museum. Bathrooms were spotless. Parking was $10. Be sure to walk behind the museum to see the snow marker on the statue.

I brought a group of my Empower + Thrive leadership teenagers here for a leadership development activity I created for them to learn more about history, culture, and the power of choices and leadership. We did a docent tour and also watched the movie, explored the museum and did the nature walk. It was such an amazing experience and I have several youth who said this experience has been their favorite one so far we have done. I am super grateful for Sharon giving us her wisdom and answering questions and guiding us along on the journey of history.

Really interesting and meaningful place to visit. Donner Memorial State Museum does a great job telling the story of the Donner Party and the history of the area in a way that feels respectful and informative. The exhibits are well done and give a lot of context, and the setting by the lake makes it even more impactful. A good stop if you want both history and a beautiful place to walk around. We only had to pay $10 to park.

Such a great spot to stop in and learn about some history.But have some great things to look at. The hiking trail right along the side is also beautiful.

Damn, this was a great spot for a quick stop!

We were here for around 45 mins (but only because they were closing — as we definitely coulda stayed longer!)

First, the video. Great vintage runthrough of the infamous Donner Pass history. I will say, I struggled to hear some parts — subtitles would be a fab addition!

After the movie we strolled through the exhibit, and I was by far most interested in the Washoe history. This felt largely left out of the film, and I was relieved it was on display in the full walk through. Be sure to spend some time strolling through that too :)

This museum was a welcomed surprise!  Thank you to whom recommended this!

Great information, clean and well maintained.  Used our California Explorers State Park Pass. Lots of trails and activities.

Very nice staff, super clean.  Pool is awesome. Hot tub was so nice after long drive.

Breakfast was hot and good.
Very good coffee

This is a state park with camping spots near Donner Lake. This is also the memorial for the infamous Donner party who got stuck in a massive snowstorm.

The memorial itself has some good details on what happened, but the impressive part is the top of the pedestal. This represents the snowfall that year, which was 22 feet. It is insane to think about now with California's record droughts.

There is also a walk through exhibit that showcases the unfortunate events of the Donner party but also other facts about Donner Lake and the transcontinental rail road.

Very informative museum and visitor center. Entrance is free, parking 5 Dollar. You can whatch a movie about the area and the exhibits are really impressive, as is the dramatic and tragic story about the Donner Party, the settlers, who got stuck on this pass for month and suffered great loss. The monument near by is dedicated to the pioneers, their courage and bravery. There is also a very good and large gift shop.

Reviews

Donner Memorial