Things To Do in Truckee

If diversity is what you’re looking for, the things to do in Truckee will give you that in full measure. From hitting a little white ball into an unreasonably small hole to barreling down a snow-covered hill on whatever slides to hoisting onto the back of an amiable horse, you’ve got lots of choices for activities here. And we didn’t even mention biking, hiking, shopping and bar hopping!

All four seasons present their own selection of things to do in Truckee. Winter sports reign supreme, and the ski resorts here are super. Long, groomed runs with a laid-back style are the keystones of the Northstar California resort. No matter if you’re a beginner starting out at the Burton Progression Center or are already jumping the Straits, your ability is celebrated. Other snowy Truckee activities include tubing, Telemark skiing and snowshoeing. At the top of Donner Summit, Boreal Mountain Resort is great for families on a budget and anyone wanting to heighten their amateur ski and board status at a quieter location. You can also enjoy the night skiing. Nearby Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area is another choice for a low-key Truckee activity.

Things to Do in Truckee Year-Round

As the snow melts, things to do in Truckee center on being outside to experience the landscape as it comes back to color. Bike trails beckon, and there are lots of them around town that are good for beginners and seasoned cyclers. Or, seeing the beauty of the mountains and Donner Lake from atop a noble steed offers an unforgettable memory. When the Lake beckons, get as close to the water by renting boats, kayaks, SUPs and canoes.

During summer Truckee Thursdays street festivals open up downtown for exploration, great bargains and meeting the locals. Then, get your tickets early for the annual ghost tours in October. Costumed volunteers take on spirited personas to tell tales of old Truckee.

Things to Do in Truckee by Category

Around Tahoe Tours

889 Tahoe Boulevard, Unit C, Incline Village, NV
(775) 345-5966

Around Tahoe Tours is your best bet for getting a true feel and knowledge of the Tahoe area. Created by Chris and Darin Talbot, the tour agency is a culmination of their knowledge that began when they moved to the area in 1977. Private tours and group tours are available, ranging from either one to four people or five to eight people. The tours focus...read more

Around Tahoe Tours is your best bet for getting a true feel and knowledge of...read more

Donner Memorial State Park

Truckee Thing to Do
12593 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA
(530) 582-7892

History buffs, campers, cyclists, hikers and those who love their water sports will find Donner Memorial State Park the perfect place for either a visit or an extended stay. The Donner name is a nod to the story of the snow-stranded emigrants and their ill-fated wagon train in the winter of 1846–47. One part of the forlorn pioneer group made camp near Donner Lake, now site...read more

History buffs, campers, cyclists, hikers and those who love their water sports will find Donner...read more

Hang Gliding Tahoe

Truckee Thing to Do
2640 E. College Parkway, Carson City, NV
(775) 772-8232

You love Lake Tahoe, and you feel as if you’ve seen all the sights it has to offer. But as the old saying goes, you ain’t seen nothing yet ... not until you’ve seen it from the air, piloting your own aircraft over the Carson Range and into the Tahoe Basin. With Hang Gliding Tahoe, you fly a powered hang glider (with an FAA-certified instructor...read more

You love Lake Tahoe, and you feel as if you’ve seen all the sights it...read more

IRIE Rafting Company

Truckee Thing to Do
12000 Pioneer Trail, Suite # 2, Truckee, CA
(530) 582-4900

Lake Tahoe has only one outflow – the Truckee River. And for 25 years IRIE Rafting Company has given visitors a close-up view of the waterway as well as the region's north and middle forks of the American River and the Carson River. For those wanting to stay closer to Truckee, IRIE offers half- and full-day trips on the Truckee River after it flows past...read more

Lake Tahoe has only one outflow – the Truckee River. And for 25 years IRIE...read more

Northstar Bike Park

Northstar California Resort
Truckee Thing to Do
100 Northstar Drive, Truckee, CA
(800) 466-6784

Northstar California was one of the first ski resorts to leverage its property for summertime use when it opened Northstar Bike Park about 10 years ago. For those who don’t fancy the idea of pedaling up hill to bomb down, don’t worry. The whole idea is to use the chairlifts to access the resort's 30-plus beginner-to-expert/pro trails. There is an assortment of jumps and stunts...read more

Northstar California was one of the first ski resorts to leverage its property for summertime...read more

Ponderosa Golf Course

Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District
Truckee Thing to Do
10040 Reynold Way, Truckee, CA
(530) 587-3501
Ponderosa Golf Course is a quintessential Truckee story. The 9-hole public course will be 60 years old in the spring of 2021 and was built by the residents of the town. The course was family owned for most of that half-century but was kept from being turned into a subdivision when the Truckee Airport District purchased it in 2008. Now Ponderosa is managed by Truckee...read more
Ponderosa Golf Course is a quintessential Truckee story. The 9-hole public course will be 60...read more

Tahoe Donner Association

Truckee Thing to Do
11509 Northwoods Boulevard, Truckee, CA
(530) 587-9400

The sprawling Tahoe Donner homeowners association and its 6,000-plus properties above Truckee mean many things to many people. For some, it is their home neighborhood; for others, it is their vacation house for a few days in winter or summer; and for others yet, it is their outdoor playground. Locals and visitors take advantage of Tahoe Donner’s 7,000 acres of open space and equally vast...read more

The sprawling Tahoe Donner homeowners association and its 6,000-plus properties above Truckee mean many things...read more

Tahoe Whitewater Tours

Truckee Thing to Do
10015 Palisades Drive, Truckee, CA
(530) 587-5777

If finding some adrenaline fun via flowing rivers is your cup of tea, then you should check out Tahoe Whitewater Tours. A highly reputable company that offers guided trips down Truckee River as well as other rivers that near the Tahoe area, Tahoe Whitewater Tours is gifted in creating a trip that fits the wants and needs of the group. From basic river trips to...read more

If finding some adrenaline fun via flowing rivers is your cup of tea, then you...read more

Trout Creek Outfitters

Truckee Thing to Do
10115 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA
(530) 563-5119

Trout Creek Outfitters ­– Truckee’s local fly-fishing hub – has everything you need to get outfitted and ready for your time on the water. They have a friendly and helpful staff with decades of experience fishing the streams and lakes in the Tahoe Truckee region. With a thoughtfully chosen selection of fly-fishing gear and supplies, Trout Creek is stocked up for the summer. Whether you’re eager to try fly-fishing for...read more

Trout Creek Outfitters ­– Truckee’s local fly-fishing hub – has everything you need to get outfitted...read more

Truckee Ice Rink

Truckee Thing to Do
10500 Brockway Road, Truckee, CA
(530) 582-7720

One of the treasures of winter is the pleasure of ice skating. In Truckee there is a fabulous family-focused ice rink that comes with the flurries of snowfall at the Truckee River Regional Park. Although not regulation in size, Truckee Ice Rink offers a great array of activities on the ice. From public ice-skating sessions (complete with rentals) to ice-skating lessons for young and old,...read more

One of the treasures of winter is the pleasure of ice skating. In Truckee there...read more

Truckee River Bikes

3039 Highway 89, Olympic Valley, CA
(530) 581-3399

One of the greatest ways to see Lake Tahoe is via bicycle. With miles of dirt trails, bike routes and paved roads, there is fun to be had no matter what your age or athletic ability. To help make this outdoor activity simple, Truckee River Bikes is conveniently located at the corner of Highway 89 and the entrance to Olympic Valley. From cruisers to high-level...read more

One of the greatest ways to see Lake Tahoe is via bicycle. With miles of...read more

Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District

Truckee Thing to Do
10981 Truckee Way, Truckee, CA
(530) 582-7720

Take a look around and it’s clear that Truckee is a special town: history, mountains, lakes, river and forests. But there are many hidden gems known mostly to locals. Those gems are kept shining by the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. Some of the amenities and facilities managed by the district are accessible for free, others for a fee. The...read more

Take a look around and it’s clear that Truckee is a special town: history, mountains,...read more