Donner Memorial State Park - California State Park

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Donner Memorial State Park

State Park Information

State Park Overview
Located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, Donner Memorial State Park offers the summer vacationer opportunities for camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing and hiking. In winter, visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on trails and enjoy the seasons beauty. Visitors are welcome year-round at the Emigrant Trail Museum and at the Pioneer Monument, built to commemorate those who emigrated to California from the east in the mid2800s. Included in the museum are displays and information about one of the earliest pioneer wagon trains, the Donner Party, forced by circumstances to camp at the east end of Donner Lake in the winter of 1846-47, resulting in human suffering and loss of life.

The park encompasses approximately 1750 acres, including a new 750-acre acquisition that spans portions of Scallenberger Ridge to the south of Donner Lake. In and around the park you can see some of the Sierra Nevadas geologic history

Camping

Trails

Boating
Public Boat Ramp

While the park has no boat launching ramp - 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 and Hunting
Fishing

The park has over three miles of frontage on Donner Lake and Donner Creek. Fishing is not usually spectacular, though there are trout and kokanee in the lake. The lake is planted with trout and a fishing license is required. Many fishermen prefer to use the park as a base to visit nearby lakes.

More Info

The Donner Memorial State Park, Californiadescription, photographs and history
Distances | Map | Weather Donner Memorial State Park Sites in California NPS Units Cabrillo Death
...tographs of Donner Memorial State Park, California
> CALIFORNIA -> Donner Memorial Photographs Donner Memorial State ParkPhotographs Campsite close to Donner Lake, in the Donner

Sizzler/Gateway Center Donner Center/721 Donner Pass Rd/Northwoods Blvd. Factory Outlet Stores Donner Memorial State Park Donner Market West End Beach 915am-415pm 916am-416pm 917am-417pm 9

Area Attractions
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 Partys 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 12 hours, start at the museum at 1000 a.m.