Donner Memorial State Park
Historic state park on the east shore of Donner Lake — Pioneer Monument, Emigrant Trail Museum, lakeside trails, swimming, and camping.
- Category
- history
- Drive Time
- 7 min
- Distance
- 3 miles
- Season
- spring, summer, fall, winter
What to Know
- ✓Pioneer Monument (1918) commemorating the Donner Party of 1846-47
- ✓Emigrant Trail Museum & Visitor Center with regional pioneer history
- ✓Lakeside Interpretive Trail along the east end of Donner Lake
- ✓China Cove area with beach access, picnicking, and swimming in summer
- ✓Walk-in and drive-in campsites (reserve separately through Reserve California)
- ✓Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter
- ✓Day-use parking fee applies; museum has separate admission
Donner Memorial State Park sits at the east end of Donner Lake and is the area’s central historical site. The park commemorates the Donner Party — emigrants who became trapped here during the harsh winter of 1846-47 — and more broadly tells the story of westward emigration through the Sierra Nevada. The Emigrant Trail Museum and Visitor Center are excellent for a half-day visit, paired with a walk along the Lakeside Interpretive Trail or a picnic at China Cove.
In summer the park’s beach is a quieter alternative to West End Beach. In winter the trails are accessible for snowshoeing.
Roughly 7 minutes from Donner Lake Inn at the opposite end of the lake.
Where to stay near Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Lake Inn is among the closest boutique lodging options to Donner Memorial State Park — about a 7-minute drive at the opposite end of Donner Lake. The inn is a small five-room B&B with private exterior entrances, gas fireplaces in every room, an outdoor creekside hot tub, complimentary breakfast, and free on-site parking and EV charging. A natural base for a weekend split between the State Park, the Donner Summit railroad tunnels, and Donner Lake itself.