Truckee
Small Town, Big Energy
What Makes Truckee Worth Visiting
Just north of Lake Tahoe in the High Sierras sits Truckee, CA, a small mountain town with big energy. Truckee has earned its reputation as one of Northern California's most beloved mountain towns, and it's absolutely worth visiting for its mountain scenery, small-town charm, and endless outdoor activities.
The Truckee area was originally inhabited by the Washoe, Maidu and Paiute tribes, and then later by miners and settlers in the later 1860s. Truckee grew into a bustling mining town with plenty of wealth, excitement and debauchery to go around during the gold and silver rushes. Today, Truckee is full of great outdoor activities, food, shopping, art and numerous other things to do.
Things to Do During the Winter in Truckee
A snow-capped wonderland, the possibilities of things to do in Truckee during the winter season are almost endless.
Skiing and Snowboarding
There are several world-class ski resorts just a short drive from Truckee, including:
For beginners, check out Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, which offers beginner-friendly runs and skiing lessons.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will love Tahoe Donner, Royal Gorge, and Boreal ski areas. Tahoe Donner offers over 100 km of groomed trails across 2,800 acres, while nearby Royal Gorge is the largest cross-country resort in North America, with about 140 km of track spanning six trail systems.
More Winter Activities in Truckee
Skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only winter sports in Truckee worth trying. Northstar California Resort offers snowshoeing and fat-tire snow biking, along with shopping and food. Tubing lovers will love Donner Ski Ranch and Tahoe Donner Snowplay, which offer tubes and other snow toys for their snow tubing hills.
Is ice skating more your vibe? Head to the Northstar Village Ice Skating Rink or Truckee Ice Rink and show off your figure eights.
Things to do During the Summer in Truckee
With many outdoor activities, from hiking to kayaking to sightseeing and more, there seems to be an endless array of things to do in Truckee in the summer. After your outdoor adventure, be sure to grab a beer or a bite at Truckee’s best restaurants and breweries.
Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Memorial is the perfect spot for hiking or a quick stop to stretch your legs on your way to Reno. This area used to be covered in glaciers, which left behind impressive valleys and huge boulder deposits.
While you’re there, stop into the Visitor Center, home to exhibits detailing the area’s history, including the Donner Party, railroad construction and the Emigrant Gap. Learn more about the history of the area at Donner Memorial State Park.
Sawmill Lake Fly Fishing
Less crowded than Lake Tahoe, Sawmill Lake is a great spot to cast a line and try your luck catching rainbow trout or brown trout. Sawmill Lake is located about 30 minutes south of Truckee and about eight miles from Northstar California Ski Resort.
Fishing at the lake is limited, so reservations for catch-and-release fishing should be made in advance.
Donner Summit Bridge
Donner Summit Bridge, also called Rainbow Bridge, is located about 15 minutes west of Historic Downtown Truckee on Donner Summit and offers sweeping mountain views. Explore the area, and you might just find the petroglyphs located between the bridge and the China Wall. This petroglyph site is home to more than 200 carvings.
Truckee River Kayaking and Rafting
Craving an adrenaline rush? Embark on a whitewater rafting or kayaking adventure down the Truckee River with one of the several tour companies in the area.
Tahoe Whitewater Tours and Sierra Adventures offer rafting and kayaking tours along several stretches of the river so you can choose your level of adventure based on comfort and experience.
Some favorite sections include Boca Run, popular with rafters, or Truckee River Granite Chief Run, a section perfect for inflatable river kayaks.
Family-Friendly Activities in Truckee
Truckee is a year-round destination for family fun, with activities suited to every season.
In summer, families can enjoy playgrounds under the pines, riverside picnics, and a ride on the mini steam train at Regional Park, while fall brings mellow hikes and hands-on exhibits at the KidZone Museum.
Winter turns Truckee into a playground of its own, with sledding hills, tubing, and skating at the Truckee Ice Rink. Truckee is an easy basecamp for family adventures no matter when you visit.
Truckee Dining
Fuel up and quench your thirst after a day in the outdoors at one of Truckee’s many delicious restaurants.
From trendy eats to local breweries, Truckee restaurants and bars have what it takes to satisfy your adventurous appetite.
Truckee Tavern and Grill
Truckee Tavern and Grill serves up American eats and craft cocktails in a rustic but trendy setting. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
FiftyFifty Brewing Co. is a microbrewery offering a large selection of beers from pilsners to stouts, so everyone is sure to find something they love here. Enjoy fresh local beer, pub eats, and craft cocktails all in one place.
Truckee Brewing Company
Located in Historic Downtown Truckee, Truckee Brewing Company brews craft beer that is sure to quench your thirst after a long day of outdoor fun. From ales to IPAs and more, Truckee Brewing Company can satisfy the tastes of any beer enthusiast.
Truckee Tours and Guided Experiences
Truckee offers guided experiences for nearly every kind of adventure. Outdoor enthusiasts can join guided whitewater rafting and kayaking trips down the Truckee River with outfitters like Tahoe Whitewater Tours and Sierra Adventures, or head to the Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center for guided horseback rides through the surrounding forest (ages 7 and up, with pony rides available for younger kids).
History buffs can take a free ranger-led tour at Donner Memorial State Park or walk the self-guided Historic Downtown Truckee tour, while the outdoor "20 Mile Museum" along Donner Pass Road offers interpretive stops on ice harvesting, ski history, and local Native American petroglyphs.
Truckee Shopping
Truckee offers great shopping for clothing, gifts, locally-made art and more. With so much shopping, you’re sure to find something for yourself and for those back home.
California 89
Looking for your next favorite hoodie or beanie? Find great clothing with nods to Truckee and Tahoe at California 89, located on Donner Pass Road.
Tahoe Oil and Spice
Take your recipes to the next level with goods from Tahoe Oil and Spice. Offering specialty olive oils, balsamic vinegars, spice blends and more, Tahoe Oil and Spice is a great place to find gifts or a treat for yourself.
Whatever you’re into, Truckee has what you’re looking for. We hope you try out some of our favorite things to do in Truckee CA.
Thrifty Tails Boutique
Thrifty Tails Boutique is a nonprofit thrift shop run by the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Browse racks and shelves of gently used and vintage clothing, jewelry, artwork, home decor, pet gear, and a few brand-new items at bargain prices. Every purchase does double duty, with proceeds funding pet adoptions, spay and neuter services, and community programs like the shelter’s pet pantry.
Nomad Boutique
Nomad Boutique has been dressing Northern Nevada and Truckee locals for more than a decade, with shops in Downtown Truckee and MidTown Reno. You can find everything from denim, dresses, and cozy sweaters to statement jackets, shoes, and stackable jewelry, with fresh styles landing every week.
Word After Word Books
Word After Word Books is an independent bookstore in Historic Downtown Truckee. Browse the local authors and regional interest shelves, stocked with Tahoe ski atlases, Sierra nature writing, local mysteries, and Truckee-themed picture books that make easy souvenirs. Downstairs is Rock Cellar Records, a record shop (rumored to be haunted) with new and used vinyl across every genre, plus comics, manga, graphic novels, and books about music.
Can’t get enough of Reno Tahoe? Luckily Reno, Truckee and Lake Tahoe are all within a short drive of each other, so you can plan a stellar day trip to all of them to maximize your adventure.
FAQS
Truckee is located just north of Lake Tahoe in the High Sierras near the Nevada border. It's situated along the Truckee River and is a popular gateway to outdoor adventures.
Truckee is about 12 miles from the western shore of Lake Tahoe, making it a quick drive for visitors looking to explore both the lake and the surrounding mountain areas.
Truckee offers a variety of outdoor and cultural activities. You can go skiing or snowboarding in winter, hike and mountain bike in the warmer months, or explore local attractions like Donner Memorial State Park and the historic downtown area. Additionally, you can enjoy dining, shopping, and events throughout the year. Truckee is a must-see destination, no matter the season!
Here is how to spend your day during winter and summer:
Winter: The ultimate snow day
- Truckee is the gateway to world-class terrain. Spend your morning at Northstar California Resort or Boreal, then head out for more action with snow tubing and ice skating.
Summer: For water and outdoor enthusiasts
- For outdoor enthusiasts, Truckee is the place to be. Dive into the action with fly fishing at Sawmill Lake and whitewater rafting tours with Tahoe Whitewater Tours.
Truckee has a lot to offer during the summer, including hiking and history at Donner Memorial State Park, fly fishing at Sawmill Lake, sightseeing at Donner Summit Bridge, and whitewater rafting or kayaking on the Truckee River.