Donner Pass
Donner Pass
5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Donner Pass and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
5 within 5 kms
Attractions
17 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
44 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Scott
San Francisco, CA6,572 contributions
Oct 2020
Get off the freeway and take Donner Pass Road. It's beautiful, and there's a ton of awesome geology. I've been driving from the Bay Area to the Truckee area for 25 years, and it was just this year, 2020, that I check out Donner Pass close up.
Written 1 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,489 contributions
Apr 2021
There are several stops along I-80 where one should exit to enjoy the views and the incredible Sierra scenery. And you are way up high at maximum elevation. Not a good idea to drive through here in a snow storm.
Written 25 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SouthSeasAmerican
Luganville, Vanuatu336 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Donner Pass is historic on three levels and scenic at every level. As I drove up the mountain I tried to imagine how difficult it must have been for the pioneers in ox or mule-drawn wagons. The tragedy of the Donner Party does not negate the many sucessful crossings both before and after them. The second level of history concerns the transcontinental railroad that bound America together from coast to coast. The third level is Old Route 40 that makes the scenery so accessible. The Rainbow Bridge is almost as much art as it is an engineering marvel. The lookout is spectacular regardless of whether you are looking up at the rocky summit or down at the lake. For us the pass was both a destination and a doorway into the past.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthias L
United States40 contributions
June 2022 • Family
We’ve been at Donner peak for picnic and the walked through the old railroad tunnels of China Wall. It’s great. A good view of the mountains and Donner lake. The kids had a blast exploring the old structures.
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyJackk
San Marcos, CA5,735 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
The Donner pass was the main way settlers and immigrants traveled west to California in the early 19th century.
Written 31 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CrankingChick
Tucson, AZ7,681 contributions
Nov 2018
We took a short detour off of I-80 on our drive between Sacramento and Reno to visit this scenic location. It's well worth it! Eastbound, take exit 174 for Soda Springs and turn right on Donner Pass Road. Drive about 3.6 miles to Sugar Bowl Road on the right; turn in and you'll see an old railroad tunnel carved into the rocks about 300 feet down on the left. Then return to Donner Pass Road and turn right to continue east. In .5 mile the view will open up and you'll see Donner Summit Bridge ahead with Donner Lake in the distance. There is a parking lot on the left after you cross the bridge, with signs explaining some of the history of the area. From this overlook, you can see spectacular views of the bridge, lake and old railroad snow shed tunnels on the mountainside above. About .2 mile further down the road there is another parking spot for the China Wall with a monument dedicated to the workers who helped construct the railroad through these rugged mountains. Alas, there are no restrooms provided. More agile folks can hike up the hillside to explore the wall and tunnels, and seek out the petroglyphs on the rock face to the right of the China Wall. Those with mobility impairments or wheelchairs will be limited to sightseeing from the road, but it's definitely still worth the side trip! Follow the curvy road 2.5 miles down a steep descent to Donner Lake, and you can pick up I-80 again by turning left on Donner Lake Road. This area gets a lot of snow in the winter so check before you venture out to be sure the road is open. Hikers note that the Pacific Crest Trail passes through this area, crossing Donner Pass Road at the Summit Haus just east of Sugar Bowl Road.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry T
Sacramento, CA89 contributions
Nov 2020
The highligh was hiking the old railroad tunnels. Five mile round trip. Be sure to dress warm and bring a flash light
Written 11 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruna Gusmao
Truckee, CA1,142 contributions
Sept 2019 • Family
I was there for 4th July. There was a beautiful view. I’ve also been there on other occasions. It’s a nice place to take pictures and admire the local landscape.
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry D
Dallas, TX325 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
A short drive from Lake Tahoe and Truckee on old US 40, this was a must see while in the area. Views from Donner Pass looking down on Donner Lake were incredible. If staying in the Tahoe area or passing nearby on I-80, a quick trip here is well worth the time. Not sure how it would be on a cloudy day, but if the sun is shining, don’t miss it. There are numerous spots along the highway to pull off and take pictures. Not needed to enjoy the awesome scenery and views, but a little advance reading about the Donner Pass and the Donner party will put what you see into perspective.
Written 27 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Balasubramanian R
Chennai (Madras), India805 contributions
Oct 2022
Donner Pass is a high mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the northern part of California State. It is above Donner lake and the pass has a steep approach.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing