
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!

Newly Renovated! 2BR, Big Window Views, Dogs OK
Located in a quiet setting in beautiful Tahoe Donner, this cozy family 2BR/1B cabin is ideal for all seasons. Large windows look out into the peaceful forest and sliding glass doors lead to a deck ideal for grilling during the day and star gazing at night. The property allows access (for a fee) to all Tahoe Donner amenities including pools, hot tubs, saunas, gym and beach. The cozy cabin is 10 minutes from downtown Truckee and in close proximity to Donner Lake, Northstar, Palisades & Sugar Bowl.

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

Amazing Cabin w/ Soaking Tub, Woodstove!
Cleanest and Newest Home in Tahoe! Relax in this architecturally interesting, immaculate, and spacious home. The spa-like master bedroom includes a large soaking tub, a tile shower with two powerful shower heads, and a KING bed. The cozy, light-filled guestroom with QUEEN bed and custom bathroom is the perfect retreat. Fully stocked, the modern kitchen will inspire gourmet meals. With its vaulted ceiling, QUEEN bed, and smart entertainment, the living room is perfect for apres and movie night.

Tahoe Harris House Quaint Cabin-Spectacular Views
Enjoy a romantic getaway in this adorable "Old Tahoe" cabin! Beautiful lake views abound from just about every room as well as from the patio, the hot tub and of course from the covered porch! This darling home is about 1000 square feet, but not a single inch has been wasted! After four generations of The Harris family, we have now become the loving stewards of this charming, “Old Tahoe” cabin. We hope you will enjoy it and care for it just as we do! Tag us on Insta @tahoeharrishouse!

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.

Donner Lake Getaway
This newly remodeled lovely condo is right on Donner Lake, 4 miles from SugarBowl and right off exit 180 on interstate 80. In the winter this is great access to town, all ski areas, and Donner Memorial State Park. In summer, you are on the lake, across the street to the boat ramp, and have access to a private beach that is a 5-10 minute walk. Perfect for families this condo can sleep up to 6 people. The condo was just renovated in December 2023.

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.

New|Luxury|Hottub|KidPetFriendly|Fireplace|EVchrg
Top 10% of homes, and guest favorite badge by Airbnb. 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. ☞ Hot Tub ☞ Cozy & Stylish picturesque cabin ☞ 2-mins walk to a fully stocked market ☞ Baby & pet friendly ☞ More photos: IG @luxcabin.tahoe

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

↟Your Happy Place↟ Tahoe/Truckee Studio Retreat
Welcome to your little home away from home. The mountains are our happy place, and we hope our studio will help make them yours too. This hillside escape is located in the Truckee-Tahoe area with quick access (very!) to the i80, adorable downtown Truckee, Donner Lake, North Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. A perfect summer or winter getaway for the solo-traveler or for two.

1 block to Donner Lake, remodeled 3/2
One block to Donner Lake's public piers. 10–20 minutes to 5 ski resorts. 5-minute walk to lakefront brunch at Donner Lake Kitchen. Remodeled 3BR cabin with kitchen lake view, gas fireplace, pool table, big backyard, and 4 workspaces with monitors. Max 7 guests, 3 cars/2 in winter. Truckee STR Permit: 003384.
Popular amenities for Donner Lake vacation rentals
Houses for rent in Donner Lake

Boho Bosque: Private spa in Tahoe Donner awaits!

Skiview Retreat: 9 beds, Game Room, Fireplace

Tahoe Donner Base Camp

Perfect 3BR Cabin in Tahoe Donner

Tahoe Home with Donner Lake View WalktoLake Dog OK

Gorgeous Donner Lake 3BR + Loft Modern Home

Secluded 3BR Forest View Mountain Chalet

Gorgeous Mountain Modern /Spa, BBQ, Chef’s Kitchen
Lake side house rentals in Donner Lake

*NEW*Donner Lakefront Luxury*

Beachfront Retreat | Deck | Lake Views | Sleeps 10

Casa del Sol Tahoe Truckee

Bear's Lair Walk to West End Beach Donner lake

Incline Village Chalet

Beautiful family friendly home near rec. center

BlackDog Hideaway_Hot Tub, 2 Arcades, Ping Pong

Bohemian Chic Chalet
Other great vacation rentals in Donner Lake

The Modernized A-Frame

The Davos Cabin - 2 bdrm+loft

Charming 3 Bedroom House with Lake View

Stunning Donner Lake 2 BR House with lake access

Boreal ridge walk to lifts or PCT

Donner Lakefront condo w/ boat slip & sandy beach

Donner Lake walk to beach, hot tub, gorgeous views

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