Donner Lake Rim Trail South 2026 Update

The trail in progress …

The southern half of the Donner Lake Rim Trail, planned to reach from Coldstream Canyon in the east to Royal Gorge in the west, is underway, with roughly 4 miles of the roughly 15 total complete!

Complementing the northern half of the Donner Lake Rim Trail, which stretches from Castle Valley to Northwoods Boulevard, the new trail is decades in the making in partnership with Placer County, California State Parks, Sugar Bowl Resort, and the Tahoe National Forest.

An approximate alignment for the new trail.

Another sneak peak of the new trail.

Contractors have completed the roughly 4 miles of non-motorized multi-use trail along Schallengberger Ridge above Donner Lake, and staff is thrilled with the beauty and views along the way.

When complete and open to the public, users can expect a beautiful cross-section of the northern Sierra, ranging from mature red fir forests to 360 views of Coldstream Canyon, the Sierra Crest, and Donner Lake along the way.

This portion of the Donner Lake Rim Trail will also serve as the eastern-most stretch of Placer County’s Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, which will eventually reach all the way to Auburn.

If you want to lend a hand, stay tuned on our website for future volunteer trail days, or donate to the project here.