Donner Lake, Truckee

Donner Lake in Truckee, CA, is a freshwater lake located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, about 11 miles northwest of Lake Tahoe. It's the perfect place for year-round activities. It offers swimming, sailing, water skiing, diving, and fishing, as well as hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing on the terrain surrounding the water. The north side of the shore features 1.5 miles of public boat docks and some public piers at the foot of Summit Drive. Fishing conditions are excellent and the Lake holds some of the state's biggest Lake Trout and plenty of Rainbow and Brown Trout and Kokanee Salmon.

The community hosts a slew of events around the lake every year, like the Turkey Trot, Mini Triathlon, Donner Lake Swim, and Cannibal Cruise (car show). Donner Memorial State Park wraps around the eastern and southern shores of the Lake. Many visitors like to go hiking in Lakeview Canyon on the south side, where you can take a tour with a Ranger through the state park.