This Charming California Town Offers Plenty Of Trails And Campgrounds Near Lake Tahoe

Sunny California — it's all sand and surf, right? Well, not exactly. While the Golden State does boast an 840-mile-long coastline with over 420 public beaches (like this wide sandy haven with ample amenities and lively charm) there's more to the place than perfect waves, bikinis, and fish tacos. Its inland treasures rival those of its storied coastline. From hidden desert villages near Death Valley to wine country and the soaring majesty of Mount Shasta, California's beachless destinations are well worth checking out. They also often come with cheaper prices and much smaller crowds than found along the coast. 

One such gem is the town of Truckee. Situated high in the Sierra Nevada on the river that shares the same name, Truckee is just a stone's throw from Lake Tahoe, and while it makes a great launchpad for exploring that deep freshwater body, Truckee exerts its own charms. Its historic downtown transports visitors back in time when it served as a staging point during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Today it offers not just a quaint Old West atmosphere, but also plenty of fine places to grab a bite or a drink.

However, this small town's best selling point is arguably the area it calls home — a wonderland of alpine lakes, meadows, pristine rivers, and piney hills — along with mountain slopes and ridges that become buried in snow once the cold weather blows in. The surroundings are also the setting of the real-life, macabre story of the Donner Party, who fell victim to the same deep powder drifts that now act as a magnet for winter sports enthusiasts.

Truckee was named after a native guide who helped thousands of migrants cross Nevada's 40-mile desert known as the "Humboldt Sink." His name sounded like "Tro-kay" to the settlers, who dubbed him "Truckee." It was established as a town in 1863 and was a logging center, though the arrival of the Central Pacific railroad soon boosted its fortunes. Today it's home to more than 17,000 residents and acts as a gateway to Lake Tahoe and the northeastern Sierra Nevada.

Truckee's must-see attraction is Donner Memorial State Park, where visitors can enjoy a picnic, hit the trail on more than 8 miles of hiking paths, kayak, fish, or cool off during sizzling summer months with a dip in the clear waters of Donner Lake. The park is also home to an excellent campground (closed in the winter), along with the Emigrant Trail Museum, which documents the turbulent history of the settlers who crossed the Sierra Nevada in their push west. This includes the ill-fated Donner Party, who were trapped in the mountains during the winter of 1846 to 1847. For more camping, head into the Tahoe National Forest, which boasts an array of campgrounds, though reservations are recommended. 

Outdoor activity is the name of the game in this part of California, so get your blood pumping along the Truckee River Legacy Trail, which is open to walkers, joggers, and cyclists — as well as dogs. This 6-mile paved route follows the Truckee River and is kept snow-free year round. For a more challenging hike, try the Donner Summit Canyon Trail — a 6-mile roundtrip jaunt offering terrific views of Donner Lake, Donner Peak, as well as the pass that claimed the lives of 42 pioneers all those years ago.

Truckee's main street is made up of historic brick buildings which bring to mind its rough-and-tumble frontier past. To get a sense of just what makes the place tick, stop in at the Museum of Truckee History, which is perfectly paired with the Truckee Railroad Museum. This micro-museum is located in a vintage Southern Pacific Railway caboose, and illuminates just how instrumental the town was in the completion of the coast-to-coast railway.

Once you've worked up an appetite, make sure to dive into some local fare. Old Town Tap offers pizzas, cheese boards, and charcuterie featuring house-cured meats, as well as good cocktails and craft beer. Trokay specializes in a more upscale experience with European-inspired dishes sourced from local ingredients (and paired with great wines). Donner Creek Brewing is known for its artisan ales and bang-on panini pressed sandwiches.

Another good thing about Truckee is that it is relatively easy to get to. While technically in California, Truckee is less than an hour's drive from Nevada's Reno-Tahoe International Airport via Interstate 80, which shoots right through town. For more of the rugged glory of the Sierra Nevada, check out these hidden natural hot springs where you can soak in ethereal beauty.