Skip to ContentThe Truckee Donner Land Trust says the Donner Lake Rim Trail is planned at 23 miles, with 12 miles built and open. The route mixes single track, dirt roads and granite and passes five named trailheads.
Checked November 3, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 23 miplanned
- 12 mibuilt and open
- 5named trailheads
- Mixedsurface
Trail Facts
- LengthPlanned 23 miles; 12 miles built and open (Truckee Donner Land Trust).
- SurfaceSingle track, dirt and ATV roads, a service road and granite.
- TrailheadsNorthwoods Blvd near Trout Creek; Johnson Canyon (Wendin Way access); Tahoe Donner Glacier Way; I-80 at the Summit (PCT trailhead south of the Boreal exit); Castle Valley Road.
- ElevationsAbout 6,500 ft at Johnson Canyon and about 7,300 ft at Castle Valley Road, with a 700-foot descent down Johnson Canyon.
- BikesThe Pacific Crest Trail is closed to wheeled traffic including bikes. Bikes yield to equestrians and hikers.
- BusyThe Summit Lake section is popular, especially on summer weekends.
- Difficulty, season, leash rule, permitsNot stated on the page we read: all of these
Near the lake: Donner Lake and Donner Memorial State Park. The state park page lists over 8 miles of hiking and over-the-snow trails and does not mention the Rim Trail.
On The Map
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Difficulty, season and dog rules for the Rim Trail.
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of the Donner Lake Rim Trail is open?
The Land Trust says 12 of a planned 23 miles are built and open.
Sources
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Donner Lake Rim Trail,” itsreno.com, checked November 3, 2026.