US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 65204629).
The red circle marks Donner Lake.
Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (California: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).
Official CDFW pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.
Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.
Stocked by the state: Trout (3 planting weeks, 2025-11 to 2026-07)
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Planting Locations [ds2897] (plants into Donner Lake, Nevada County, past 12 months). See the CDFW fish planting schedule. These are stocking records, not a full fish survey; other species also live here.
Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.
Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 65204629), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.
We found 46 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Donner Lake, 6 of them within 5 miles. 2 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
Tent sites
RVs welcome · Dogs allowed
RVs welcome · Tent sites · Dogs allowed
All campgrounds & RV parks in California
Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.
Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Donner Lake, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:
Compare car rentals near this lake
Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (39.3229, -120.2689). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Donner Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.
Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in PT (America/Los_Angeles), and accurate to within a few minutes.
2 public access sites listed, 2 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.
| Site | Town | Owner | Type | Parking | Fee | Uses | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat ramp | Truckee | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 39.3255, -120.2389 |
| Boat ramp | Truckee | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 39.3248, -120.2836 |
OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)
Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.
On OpenStreetMap: 2 beaches and swimming spots on the shore of Donner Lake not marked private, residents-only or members-only.
| Beach | Type | Access | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Cove Beach | Beach | Public access | Get directions |
| Beach (unnamed on OpenStreetMap) | Beach | Public access | Get directions |
Beaches: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), within about 150 m (500 ft) of the lake outline. A mapped beach is not a guarantee that swimming is allowed, supervised or safe; some town beaches need a resident sticker even when the map doesn't say so. Check posted rules and water-quality advisories before you swim.
Donner Lake covers about 834 acres in Truckee, California (Nevada County).
CDFW fish planting records lists Trout.
Yes. 2 public trailer launches are listed: Boat ramp and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.
OpenStreetMap shows 2 public beach or swimming spots on the shore. None of our sources lists a lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and follow posted rules.
Yes. We list 46 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 6 of them within 5 miles.
Donner Lake touches Truckee in Nevada County, California.
Know Donner Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).
Straight-line distance between lake centers. All California lakes & ponds · All waters in Truckee