Self-Guided Driving Tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit
Overview
Follow the Donner Party pioneers' trail as you hear their ill-fated saga unfold on this self-guided driving tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive self-guided driving tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit.
When the Reed family became trapped and snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, their lives would never be the same. On this driving tour, you’ll hear Virginia Reed’s firsthand account of the challenges and victories that these members of the Donner Party pioneer group experienced while stranded for almost four months, through the 12-year-old’s journal.
On the drive, you'll visit the Donner Memorial State Park, take in the spectacular view from the top of the Donner Summit, and contemplate the difficulties the Donner Party experienced in the winter of 1846–47.
You may stop where you want, when you want, and for as long as you want. It’s up to you!
What's Included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Meeting Location
130 West Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
19320 Donner Pass Road
Norden, CA 95724, USA
The tour ends at the Donner Ski Ranch parking lot.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Tahoe City (pass by)
Gatekeeper's Museum (pass by)
Truckee River (pass by)
Truckee (pass by)
Historic Downtown Truckee & Visitor Center (pass by)
Donner Memorial State Museum (pass by)
Donner Lake (pass by)
Donner Lake Overlook (pass by)
Donner Summit Road (pass by)
Donner Ski Ranch (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Self-Guided Driving Tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-110804P739
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.25 out of 5 stars based on 4 traveler reviews collected by Cool Lake Tahoe and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Lake Tahoe customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it.
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere.
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start.
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Self-Guided Driving Tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Self-Guided Driving Tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Lake Tahoe. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
