Top 10 Things to do in Truckee California in the Summer
In this post I want to convince you to explore this stunning historical town by sharing top 10 things to do in Truckee California in the Summer! Truckee is a charming Mountain Town just 20 minutes from North Lake Tahoe and it is a total hidden gem. It used to have a thriving logging industry which led to lots of railroad construction in the 1860s. Many of the historical brick buildings can still be found in Truckee especially in the Downtown area.
Truckee is a great place for families because of the access to several outdoor activities year round. While it is well-known as a skiing destination, Truckee has lots of things to do in the summer too. Most of the activities below are kid-friendly and dog-friendly as well.
1. Explore the Historical Downtown Truckee
The Transcontinental Railroad Completion in 1869 made Truckee a hub of activity with travelers arriving from everywhere. Today, Truckee Downtown continues to be filled with a lot of those beautiful brick buildings, charming boutiques, shops, restaurants and even live music.
Commercial Row – Brickeltown Historic District in Downtown is on the National Register of Historic places. In fact, 32 of the 48 buildings in Downtown Truckee contribute to its designation. There is a Walking Tour that history buffs would love, to learn more about the interesting history of this town.
Here is a list of some of the most unique and interesting shops in Downtown that you have to check out during your visit!
- Atelier Bespoke
- Wild And Ruff
- Mountain Arts Collective
- Word After Word Books
- Riverside Studios
2. Attend Truckee Thursdays in the Summer
Truckee Thursdays is a summertime event in Truckee where its Downtown comes alive with live music, food courts, food trucks and artisan vendors and is one of the best things to do in Truckee California in the summer! There are several family-friendly activities too. This year, it is happening on Thursdays from June 26th – August 14th 2025 5 – 8.30pm.
For more information, see Truckee Thursdays Website. You are highly encouraged to rent bikes for this event to navigate downtown easily without worrying about parking. There is a complimentary Bike valet in Beacon parking lot at the corner of Donner Pass Rd. and Bridge St.
3. Experience the Truckee River
The Truckee river is a 121 mile long river that flows into California and Northern Nevada. It is the sole outlet to Lake Tahoe and there are a lot of activities you can do in and around the river. Summer is a great time to go rafting and tubing. You can also do a leisurely float starting at Mayberry Park for a 3-4 hour journey or to Crissie Laughlin Park for a shorter 2 hour journey down the river.
There are several companies that offer Kayak and SUP rentals for use. If you are a beginner or do not want to worry about major rapids, Truckee River Whitewater Park is an ideal place to enjoy these water activities. Check out Truckee River Rafting that provides self-guided rafting trips down the river. This takes about 2 – 3 hours so plan accordingly.
4. Take a Stroll along the Truckee River Legacy Trail
The Truckee River Legacy Trail is a 9.6 mile long trail that goes from Glenshire Dr to Truckee River Regional park. It is a paved trail that is great for stroller walks, walking, running and biking making it one of the most family-friendly things to do in Truckee California in summer. It is also pet-friendly so your furry family members can join along.
The trail goes along the Truckee river so you can enjoy the soothing sounds of the stream all through the walk. There is a nice bridge over Martis Creek with views of beautiful houses along the river on the way.
- Truckee River Legacy Trail – AllTrails Link
- Distance: 9.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 472 ft
If you are interested in biking along this trail, you can rent bikes at a reasonable price from Bike Truckee Rentals which is a family owned local shop in Truckee.
5. Hike the Scenic Trails of Tahoe Donner Trail System
The Tahoe Donner Trail System has over 60 miles of wild terrain for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
I was mindblown by the views along a short 2 mile pet-friendly trail that we hiked during our visit. It had the most incredible mountain views, views of the lake and Donner Pass Rd. It was so beautiful that I felt like we were in Montana for a second. If you time it right, the trail has a lot of wildflowers too. We found a lot of beautiful blooms during our visit at the end of June.
- Johnson Canyon Overlook via Glacier Way and Donner Lake Rim Trail
- Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 147 ft
6. Enjoy a Cozy Stay at Village Camp Resorts
Village Camp Resorts is a locally owned and operated set of Luxury Cabins and RV Sites only 4 mins from Downtown Truckee. These Cabins come equipped with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay including a full kitchen and private porch with a fire pit. They are designed with energy efficiency in mind and each cabin comes with lots of storage for a clutter-free modern tiny cabin experience. There is a breakfast spread on Saturdays and family friendly movie nights and campfire on special days. You can use code “SWETHA15” for 15% off on your stay!
Staying at Village Camp Resorts made the drive to all these places so easy and is one of the best locations in Truckee California in the summer because it comes with air conditioning where the temperatures can get to high 80s on many days.
7. Visit Donner Memorial State Park
The Donner Memorial State Park is open between 10am and 5pm every day. This park is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range located at about 6000 ft elevation. Start your visit at the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and Pioneer Monument to learn all about the history of Truckee, the local Native Americans, Donner Party and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Pioneer Monument is a historical landmark built in 1918 by the Native Sons of the Golden West.
The park is home to several campgrounds open all summer and has many hiking trails around the park. Kayak and SUP rentals are available around the lake from places such as Donner Lake Marina, Tahoe Sports Hub etc.
There is a day use vehicle fee of $10 for the park.
8. Watch the sunset from China Cove Trail
China Cove Trail is a short family-friendly and pet-friendly trail at Donner Memorial State Park. The path goes through a beautiful forest area and along the lake. Find a clearing with shore access and enjoy a nice sunset from there.
- China Cove Trail Loop – AllTrails Link
- Distance: 3.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 78 ft
If you access the trail from inside the park, you can enjoy a picnic by the China Cove Beach at Donner Lake which has restroom facilities as well. There are many picnic tables in shaded areas under trees.
9. Go Rock Climbing
June to September is one of the best times to go Rock Climbing in Truckee as the many access routes clear up when the snow melts away. There are several routes for different climbing levels at Donner Summit, Donner Lake and North Lake Tahoe. If you would prefer to go to a climbing gym instead, check out Truckee’s newest indoor climbing gym High Altitude Fitness which offers 12,000 sq ft of climbing making it a unique indoor experience in Truckee California in the summer heat.
For a more thrilling but guided adventure, explore the rocky terrain of Palisade Tahoe through Tahoe Via Ferrata.
10. Drive the Scenic Lincoln Highway
The Old Highway 40 Scenic Bypass starts at Truckee and goes all the way to Soda Springs which is one of the most scenic drives in the area. The Lincoln Highway Donner Pass goes through the Donner Memorial Bridge aka Rainbow Bridge and there is “secret swing” right next to the road near Donner Lake Overlook. A sunrise or sunset would be magical here! If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can hike or climb to the Donner Summit too.
Along this drive is Truckee’s 20 Mile Museum which is a collection of interpretive signs along the Old Highway 40, explaining Truckee’s history. There are many pull offs along this road to stop and take in the view and of course, some stunning pictures!
Hope this list of top 10 things to do in Truckee in the Summer makes you want to visit before summer is over. If you enjoyed reading this post, do leave your comments and subscribe for my monthly Newsletter where I share lots of hikes, outdoor adventures, airbnbs, hotels, discounts and so much more!
