Not as well known as the museum at Donner Lake, the primitive nature of this spot, Donner Historic Camp Site at Alder Creek, invites you to imagine the hardships that the Donner Party experienced.

Part of the Donner group was trapped here in 1846-47 by an early and severe snowstorm, and their own delay, caused in part by an ill-conceived "shortcut." We tend to think of pioneering as "men's work," but the interpretive materials located along this gentle, short trail pay powerful tribute to the strength of the Donner women, who died here while most of their children survived.

This is a place to contemplate the families who brought only what they could carry and risked everything to come to the promised land of California.

Restrooms and picnic tables are available at this unstaffed historic site.  The Donner Historic Camp Site at Alder Creek is easy to find on Highway 89 North, about 2 1/2 miles north of I-80.

Trail Distance: 1/3 mile. This interpretive trail is a flat, partial boardwalk.

This trail is a flat, partial boardwalk and is accessible, unless it is wet outside.

Pack it in. Pack it out.

Pets are welcome on leash.