Donner Memorial State Park:

The Park serves as a memorial to the Donner Party and all other emigrants on the California Emigrant Trail. It is located at the wagon train’s camp site for many of the Donner Party as they attempted to survive through one of the worst winters in the Sierra. Snow depths accumulating over 22 feet deep blocked their way and many died of starvation or froze to death

This is the place to appreciate what the pioneers faced while also learning more of the geology of the Sierra Nevada. In addition to its excellent museum, the Park offers camping and picnicking, lake swimming in Donner Lake, plus two trails with interpretive panels. The museum is excellent and commemorative sculpture depicting the pioneer spirit of the Party is inspiring.

The long, deep Donner Lake is strikingly beautiful, but with almost wall-to-wall lakeshore homes sitting within Truckee’s city limits, it is not exactly pristine. See Donner Lake for boating and fishing details.