
Vacation rentals in Donner Lake
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Donner Lake
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Ruby the Red Caboose
Stay in a REAL train car in historic Virginia City, NV. Authentic 1950s caboose converted into a private guest suite that captures the glory days of train travel. Enjoy the famous 100-mile view from the cupola as you sip your coffee in the morning or your cocktail in the evening. Watch the steam engine (or the wild horses) go by from your private covered deck. Easy access to the V&T Railroad, bars, restaurants, museums, and all that VC has to offer. Choo choo! Please note the pic of the stairs!

AMAZING Downtown & On The RIVER! (13.25% tax incl)
Downtown Truckee, On The River, with a generator! Beautiful, comfortable, fully remodeled one bedroom apartment tastefully decorated. Small weekday office upstairs. 80' of river frontage, large patios, stone stairways to river, on site parking. Walk downtown yet totally private. Note: Due to a very serious allergy of a cleaner, we cannot accommodate animals including service animals. NO smoking, max of 2 guests. No children under 13. 3 bedroom house next door also available STR lic. #008814

New|Luxury|Hottub|KidPetFriendly|Fireplace|EVchrg
Welcome to LuxCabin - A brand new, luxury cabin with a hot tub nestled in the heart of Tahoe Donner Summit! Look no further if you're searching for the perfect mountain retreat to unwind and indulge in nature. ★★★★★"... really enjoyed how cozy the place is. Everything is new and pristine and in a very private location. We will definitely come back." ☞ Hot Tub ☞ Cozy & Stylish picturesque cabin ☞ 2-mins walk to a fully stocked market ☞ Baby & pet friendly ☞ More photos: IG @luxcabin.tahoe

Tahoe Cabin in the Trees
Welcome to the Cabin in the Trees. Great work from home location! This A-frame style cabin is located on a beautiful large wooded lot with green space surrounding the home, creating a private wooded sanctuary. This classic cabin has updated bathrooms and appliances, and a kitchen stocked with all the essentials. The front deck provides an outdoor living space and is fully equipped with a BBQ, fire table, and a new luxurious 7-person salt-water hot tub that sits right off the front deck.

Donner Lake Cabin | 1 block to lake 3BD/2BTH
Lovingly remodeled lake home, popular location—1 block from Donner Lake piers and a quick drive to 5 ski resorts (Sugar Bowl, Palisades, NorthStar) in winter (10–20 mins), and a 5 minute drive to charming downtown Truckee! A must do 5 min walk to the lakefront brunch at Donner lake Kitchen, or cozy up with the gas fireplace, board games, pool table and an updated well stocked kitchen. Easy Bay Area access with flat driveway. Max 7 guests, 3 cars/2 in winter. Truckee STR Permit: 003384.

Donner Lake A-frame Cabin with a view
Cozy, classic and updated A-frame features a view of Donner Lake, a quiet neighborhood, and thoughtful modern updates making it the ideal place to unwind and enjoy all that Truckee has to offer! PLEASE NOTE: There are TIGHT STEEP STAIRS INSIDE OF THE HOME, as well as STEEP STAIRS OUTSIDE to get into the home from either entrance. WINTER - 4WD & CHAINS REQUIRED. We have the driveway plowed professionally and you will be responsible for shoveling the stairs and deck during your stay.

Base Camp for Your Next Tahoe Adventure
Welcome to Base Camp! Our cozy studio (308 SF) is located in the Tahoe Donner Lodge Condominiums. The Lodge HOA is less than 50 yards from the Tahoe Donner downhill ski resort - consistently voted as the best place to learn how to ski. Alder Creek Adventure Center (cross-country skiing, hiking, biking) is less than a mile away. A private parking lot is available for our guests. Please note that our condo is not appropriate for more than two guests, including children of any age.

Rustic Contemporary Donner Lake Home
"Why is it among the most glacial mountain peaks I find the greatest warmth?`Ivan Granger Newly remodeled 4 bedroom, 3 bath home just 1 block from Donner Lake. Enjoy a gourmet kitchen, loft, airlock for coats & shoes and a deck for relaxing and BBQ'ing. The public beach at the West End of Donner Lake is walking distance from the house. 7 minutes from Sugar Bowl ski area, 12 minutes to X-C skiing at Royal Gorge, 10 minutes into downtown Truckee. Parking available for 2 cars.

Truckee River Bike House
ON THE TRUCKEE RIVER right in the historic downtown area, our little place is a 2 block walk to restaurants and shopping. You’ll love our place because you can sit inside or in bed and watch the river flow by. It's a peaceful place, new and modern, private and the middle of it all. It's not just a place to stay, it's a destination. QUIET people only please. We have a firm sofa sleeper. we have a couple of other mattresses we can bring in if you prefer a softer bed.

Cozy house at Donner Lake
Two story home with open area concept, three rooms and garage/game room that can accommodate up to 8 people. - Split AC units in bedrooms. - Kids playground & Game room for the grown ups (pool table, ping pong table, darts and an arcade machine). - 400 Mbps Internet with WIFI 6 mesh router for full coverage. - Roku TVs on every bedroom and living room. - Parking for three cars. - Restaurant and grocery store across street. - Close to all major ski resorts.

Aspen View Carriage House
Beautiful new studio space over the detached garage of the main house. Spacious and bright. This waterfront property is located on the shores of Summit Creek. Easy backyard launching for your canoe, kayak or stand up board with just a short paddle to Donner Lake. Close to everything - rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hiking. Sleeps four, no pets. No more than four people. Tesla charger.

Donner Lake Family Cabin
Hi, I’m Rob and this is my family cabin! Only minutes off the I-80 Truckee exit, it’s a 1-bedroom/1 bath with a loft. Approximately 800sf and a mere block from the public docks on Donner Lake, downtown Truckee is also only minutes away! Ideally situated near all the big ski resorts; Sugar Bowl, Squaw/Alpine, and Northstar, I invite you to a taste of mountain living in the beautiful Sierra’s! -Rob
Popular amenities for Donner Lake vacation rentals
Houses for rent in Donner Lake

Boho Bosque: Private spa in Tahoe Donner awaits!

Tahoe Donner Base Camp

Perfect 3BR Cabin in Tahoe Donner

Gorgeous Donner Lake 3BR + Loft Modern Home

Casa del Sol Tahoe Truckee

Bear's Lair Walk to West End Beach Donner lake

Charming Sunnyside Cabin with Sauna - Walk to Lake

Secluded 3BR Forest View Mountain Chalet
Lake side house rentals in Donner Lake

Kings Beach Oasis! Cozy Home.

Beachfront Retreat | Deck | Lake Views | Sleeps 10

Incline Village Chalet

Dazzling Chalet | 3+bd 2.5ba 2100sf By Palisades

"The Deck” at Speedboat Beach - Walk to the lake

Mountain Jewel - 4 BR w/ Hot Tub and Fireplace

Under Eagle Rock - Hot Tub-Across from Beach

Forest view modern luxury cabin
Other great vacation rentals in Donner Lake

Modern Mountain A-Frame

Charming 3 Bedroom House with Lake View

Stunning Donner Lake 2 BR House with lake access

Donner Lake walk to beach, hot tub, gorgeous views

Donner Dreamin' A Frame + Hot Tub + Dog Friendly!

Fort lost in the woods

Light and bright one bedroom with vaulted ceiling

Little Bear Cabin
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Donner Lake located?
Donner Lake is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, near the town of Truckee. Surrounded by forested slopes and alpine scenery, the area has easy access to outdoor recreation year-round.
When is the best time to visit Donner Lake?
Summer months are often recommended for swimming, boating, and hiking, with moderate temperatures and minimal rain. Spring and fall bring lighter crowds and mild weather, while winter has opportunities for nearby snow sports.
What are some things to do near Donner Lake?
You can explore swimming, kayaking, or fishing on the lake, and hike the nearby trails surrounded by pines. Around Donner Lake, there are picnic spots, scenic lookouts, and opportunities to learn about regional history.
How is the weather near Donner Lake?
Donner Lake experiences cold, snowy winters around 26–48°F (-3–9°C), while summers are warm and dry, reaching 60–94°F (16–34°C). Most rain and snow fall between November and April, with clear days common in summer and early fall.
All about Donner Lake
Located on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northeastern California, Donner Lake sits less than half an hour northwest of Lake Tahoe, which straddles the Nevada border. With its cerulean water and stretches of sandy beach fringed by towering pine trees, Donner Lake is a haven of calm. The lake’s small size makes exploring by kayak or stand-up paddleboard popular activities, and these waters are home to some of the biggest lake trout in California, attracting anglers from far and wide.
The neighboring town of Truckee has a small, historic downtown dating from the 1840s, when travelers made their way along the Truckee Basin to settle on the California coast. Today, Main Street’s 19th-century brick buildings house a string of family-owned boutiques and local breweries. The lake also boasts easy access to the world-famous waters of Lake Tahoe, which are popular with sailors, hikers, and wildlife-spotters — the region is renowned for black bears and mountain lions.
What are the top things to do in Donner Lake?
Donner Memorial State Park
This tranquil alpine park extends along the eastern and southern end of the lake and offers eight miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, while the waters are home to kokanee trout. The 23-foot tall Pioneer Monument commemorates 19th-century emigrants who made the move west, and the Visitor Center provides an insight into the region’s Native American communities and construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Boreal Mountain
Less than 15 minutes’ drive from Donner Lake, year-round outdoor activities are on offer at Boreal Mountain. Skiers and snowboarders head here to explore over 350 acres of fresh powder and make the most of the only night skiing in the area, while mountain biking trails and renowned skate parks offer plenty of warm weather fun.
Lake Tahoe
Around 20 minutes southeast, Lake Tahoe is one of the most scenic spots in northern California and the largest alpine lake in the United States. Visitors line its sandy shores and head out on sailboats on summer days and marvel at the surrounding snow-capped peaks in winter. On the southwestern shore, Emerald Bay State Park features a granite cliff and jaw-dropping panoramic views, and there are miles of hiking trails to explore throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Destinations to explore
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- Lake Tahoe
- Northstar California Resort
- Wild Mountain Ski School
- Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort
- Diamond Peak Ski Resort
- Reno Sparks Convention Center
- Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
- Fallen Leaf Lake
- Homewood Mountain Resort
- Boreal Mountain California
- Crystal Bay Casino
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area
- Emerald Bay State Park
- South Yuba River State Park
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
- Nevada Museum of Art
- Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe
- University of Nevada Reno
- Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
- Sugar Bowl Resort
- Apple Hill
- Tahoe City Public Beach
- Donner Ski Ranch




