What to do and see in Truckee, California (CA): The Best Free Things to do

February 15, 2022 Kelli Reichel

On the California-Nevada border, Truckee-Lake Tahoe's scenic mountain beauty is perfect for romantic getaways and outdoor excitement. Lake Tahoe is America's largest alpine lake, with beautiful blue water surrounded by 70 miles of gorgeous shoreline. Donner Lake offers a public beach, and Donner Memorial State Park has campsites and trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. Boca Dam and Reservoir features magnificent fishing, with rainbow, brook, and brown trout, plus Kokanee salmon.
Restaurants in Truckee

1. Truckee Bike Park

12200 Joerger Dr, Truckee, CA 96161-3386 +1 530-401-0513 [email protected] http://truckeebikepark.org/
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Truckee Bike Park

Reviewed By Journey16429445878 - San Francisco, United States

Easily one of the best bike parks anywhere. You can see the care and attention that has gone into crafting this place. Lines for everyone from beginner to the advanced rider. A "must visit" when in town if you are into bikes.

2. Truckee River Legacy Trail

Truckee, CA 96160
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 18 reviews

Truckee River Legacy Trail

Reviewed By johnsD576GV

A stroll along the river before dinner, well worth taking the time to relax and feel nature. There is no difficulty to this paved path.

3. Martis Peak Fire Lookout

Hwy 267, Martis Peak Road, Truckee, CA
Excellent
75%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Martis Peak Fire Lookout

Reviewed By tinaNtravel - San Jose, United States

We hiked to Martis Peak from Brockway Summit on 267 just outside King City, North Lake Tahoe. It was a fairly nice hike through the forest and then through a meadow. The trail is listed as moderate, and I would list it as easy-moderate, for the most part. Towards the end of the hike, we passed a parking lot and then had to walk up a paved road to get to the peak. At the peak, is a picnic table, an outhouse, and the look out. Inside the look out, there are drawings with names of all the peaks on that side of the look out, which was very nice - as you could see the name of what you were looking at. Unfortunately, the day we were there, the smoke from the wild fires had blown in and we barely saw any of the view - it was that hazy. We would definetly do this hike again, once the fire danger/smoke is well gone, as we'd really like to see the view - it has got to be fantastic.

4. Tompkins Memorial Trail

Truckee, CA https://www.northstarcsd.org/tompkins-memorial-trail
Excellent
60%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Tompkins Memorial Trail

5. Historic Downtown Truckee

Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA 96161 http://historictruckee.com/index.html
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 215 reviews

Historic Downtown Truckee

Reviewed By Connecticutwanders

Filled with unique shops and great restaurants, historic Truckee is a great place for holiday shopping or just a fun day trip out of Sacramento or Reno. Make the drive!

6. Mt Judah Loop Trail

Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA
Excellent
67%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Mt Judah Loop Trail

7. Rainbow Bridge / Donner Summit Bridge

19322 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA 96161 http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/rainbow-bridge/sief37459fbb365a0054
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Rainbow Bridge / Donner Summit Bridge

Reviewed By drmader - Orinda, United States

We spent some Time walking through old tunnels and taking in views of donner. Looks like a scene from Cars the movie ..with interesting rock formation and color. Back side of sugar bowl and dinner ski areas . Easy flat hiking ...people had strollers and young kids, older people too. Beautiful

8. Donner Pass

Truckee, CA
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Donner Pass

Reviewed By 100barryt - Sacramento, United States

The highligh was hiking the old railroad tunnels. Five mile round trip. Be sure to dress warm and bring a flash light

9. Commercial Row and Jibboom Street

Truckee, CA +1 530-587-2757
Excellent
31%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
31%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

This downtown intersection has preserved the architectural flavor of the "old west."

Reviewed By TV2451

This is the center of downtown Truckee where all the stores, bars and restaurants are. Kind of like an old west town in design. The food is good and it's laid back.

10. Old Truckee Jail Museum

10142 Jibboom St, Truckee, CA 96161-0108 +1 530-582-0893 http://truckeehistory.org/jailmuseum.htm
Excellent
38%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
8%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 26 reviews

Old Truckee Jail Museum

Reviewed By LG217 - Cheyenne, United States

Great little piece of history in downtown Truckee. The guides were very knowledgeable and described many stories about the history of the jail and locals back in the 1800s. Great artifacts and photos. Free admission (they run off of donations only) and worth a visit if you like history.

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