Donner Memorial State Park

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Truckee, CA
Donner Memorial State Park

Donner Memorial State Park is located in the scenic the Sierra Nevada mountain range at an elevation of about 6,000 feet.

This legendary alpine park offers summer camping, picnicking, kayaking, paddle sports, fishing, and hiking.

08/12/2026

Before Ansel Adams, there was Carleton Watkins. His massive photographs captured the ja—dropping beauty of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, but they also caught the early scars of environmental damage.

Join us as UC Berkeley land use lecturer and art historian, Alice Wilson, breaks down ten stunning photos from Stanford’s archives. Come ready to dive into the history of the West, ask questions, and engage in great dialogue about how early photography helped spark the conservation movement!

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026: doors open at 5pm, talk starts at 5:30pm
Where: Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center, parking after 5pm is free
What: a free monthly educational community program called Sierra Speaker Series

07/16/2026

A neat new tool being offer by your California State Parks to help you find events and activities at state parks throughout the state!

07/11/2026

JOIN US FOR THE NEXT SIERRA SPEAKERS SERIES
Saturday, July 18
AT
DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

In partnership with Sierra State Parks Foundation, the Nevada County Library, and California State Parks, the monthly Sierra Speaker Series connects folks to the rich cultural and natural history of the area. Join us at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn and engage! Doors open at 5 with presentation to follow at 5:30 pm. Parking is free after 5 pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments and wines, sponsored by Highway 12 Winery, will be available. No registration required.

In 1841, the Bidwell-Bartleson Party became the first organized group of American settlers to attempt a wagon crossing into California, despite having no prior experience or reliable maps. Faced with the harsh reality of the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada, the group was forced to abandon their wagons and survive on the meat of their pack animals. Though the party splintered under the immense physical and mental strain, most members eventually reached John Sutter’s ranch in the Sacramento Valley. Their arrival proved that a land route to the Pacific was possible, effectively setting the stage for the massive waves of migration that defined the mid-19th century.

Noel Lopez is a California local who has been planting seeds of stewardship with California State Parks for over a decade. Originally a Park Interpretive Specialist at Bidwell Mansion SHP, he now serves as the K-12 Interpreter 1 for the Northern Buttes District and teaches part-time at Butte Community College.

05/07/2026

JOIN US FOR THE FIRST SIERRA SPEAKERS SERIES OF 2026
SATURDAY, MAY 16, DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

In partnership with Sierra State Parks Foundation, Nevada County Library, and California State Parks, the monthly Sierra Speaker Series connects folks to the rich cultural and natural history of the area. Join us at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn and engage! Doors open at 5 with presentation to follow at 5:30 pm. Parking is free after 5 pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments and wines, sponsored by Highway 12 Winery, will be available. No registration required.

Weather and snowpack conditions during the winter of 1846-47 are critical to understanding the narrative of the Donner tragedy. Periods of heavy snow overwhelmed starving pioneers in the mountains while Pacific rainstorms flooded lowlands and stymied rescue efforts. This unique analysis looks at real-time weather observations from American warships, eyewitness accounts from on-the-ground personnel, as well as reliable statements from an array of contemporary sources.

Tahoe Sierra weather historian Mark McLaughlin is an award-winning, nationally published author and professional speaker with 8 books and more than 1,500 articles in print. Mark has appeared as an expert consultant for CNN, The History Channel, The Weather Channel, and the BBC, as well as many historical documentaries. A North Lake Tahoe local since 1978, he’s a five-time recipient of the Nevada State Press award. Mark has been writing from the mountains he calls home for over 35 years.

04/03/2026

Save the date! Here is a teaser of the 2026 Sierra Speakers Series lineup. Some great presenter are on the schedule.

03/27/2026

Looking ahead to summer, Donner Memorial State Park's Paddling Tours are now open for reservations!

Explore Donner Lake on a raft led by a California State Parks guide. Welcome to all ages and we encourage youth participants to join with a parent/guardian. We provide paddling instruction, a safety talk, and life jacket fitting before launching our two 14-foot rafts into the lagoon for a one-hour lake exploration (3/4 mi). Each raft holds 7 participants plus one guide who will discuss wildlife diversity and the rich cultural history of the area. You will also have an opportunity to jump into the lake if you'd like! Join us now using the QR code on the flyer!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/69f6ce87/?appointmentTypeIds[]=47115968

Address

12593 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA
96161

Website

https://www.parks.ca.gov/donnermemorial

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