California · Mountain biking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Donner Lake Rim Trail

1.0 mi
round trip
181 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Donner Lake Rim Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Tahoe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Donner Lake Rim Trail is an easy mountain biking route in Johnson Canyon, part of the Truckee Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California. It is a short out-and-back ride of about 2 miles, with an elevation gain of 181 feet from a low point of about 7,283 feet to a high of about 7,479 feet. The land is managed by a non-governmental organization. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 82°F in July and August, with only about two wet days a month. Winter is far colder, with January highs around 41°F and lows near 17°F. That station sits well below the trail, so expect temperatures on the rim to run cooler. The trail makes a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. Glacier Way Trail is about 0.3 miles away, and Wendin Way Access Trail is about 0.6 miles off. Donner Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 1.3 miles away, and the Donner/Truckee Bouldering climbing area is about 1.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Summit Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Pub at Donner Lake

    Pub

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Donner Lake Rim Trail

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 17°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 22°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 26°

      7 wet

    5. May

      63° / 33°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 44°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 42°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 36°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 29°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      39° / 17°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Donner Mem Sp, CA, 2.9 mi away at 5,937 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors