Donner Lake is a freshwater lake in Northeast California on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of the much larger Lake Tahoe.
A granite paradise in the subalpine! Donner Summit is located a short distance from Truckee. Get there by taking a scenic drive along Donner Lake and up Donner Pass Road. The view are immaculate, and once there, outdoor adventure is endless. You'll find deep snow, quiet off the beaten path locales, and a fascinating history that spans thousands of years.
This 1,659-foot Historic Summit Tunnel is an old abandoned railroad tunnel and is one of the best hikes in the area. It was the railroad built by Chinese workers that completed in August 1867.
Purchased by the Land Trust in 2010 and conveyed to California State Parks in 2012 as an addition to Donner Memorial State Park, Donner Summit Canyon is the gateway to perhaps the most important square mile in California’s history.
