The parks' day use and picnic area are excellent starting points for day hikes. The park has about two and a half miles of hiking trails, and there are excellent trail opportunities in the neighboring Tahoe National Forest.
Park property in Coldstream Canyon to the south contains the alignment of the primary Emigrant Trail, which leads up to U.S. Forest Service and the Pacific Crest trails beyond the park. Maps are for sale at the Emigrant Trail Museum.
For information about local trails near Donner Lake click here.
The Lakeshore Interpretive Trail features eighteen trailside exhibits illustrating the history of the Emigrant Trail and the area’s geology and ecology, Washoe culture, and the local recreational possibilities. The path leads to, and along, Donner Lake. The trail ends at a nice picnicking spot near the lake.
When snow covers the park, rangers link park roads and trails into a gentle 3-mile cross-country ski route that runs along the south side of Donner Lake. This trail is accessible for all cross-country levels. Skiers seeking more cross-country challenge can access Cold Stream Canyon loop from the back end of the park. Designated trails that parallel the cross-country trails are available for snowshoers. Guided snowshoe tours are available to park visitors on the weekends.
Many enjoy the 10K loop on their bikes around Donner Lake. The route on the north side of the Lake is a Class II bike path and then continues in a quiet neighborhood on the south side of the lake.
Directions: Start on Donner Pass Road near the State Park. Continue on just-installed bike lanes down to west end of lake. Make lefts to continue around on South Shore Drive. At the end of South Shore, go straight onto the paved path into Donner State Park and follow the main road back to the park entrance on Donner Pass Road.