Truckee-Tahoe is for the Kids

It’s never too early to start dreaming of the warm weather to come. For a child, a high-alpine, lakeside summer is unlike any other experience. Whether it’s a pitstop for a double scoop of Mountain Top Mint Chip ice cream at Little Truckee Creamery after Donner Lake Adventure Camp or a plunge in the pool at the Northwoods Clubhouse after sweating it out on the courts next door in Tennis + Pickleball Camp, Tahoe summers are an idyllic time to make the most of being a kid. Every day offers a new adventure: trails to be explored, rock walls to be conquered, mountain bikes to be ridden and water to make an epic splash in. 

The possibilities for creating a memorable summer – one your kids are sure to look back on with nostalgia for the rest of their lives – are endless. With so much to do, it can be hard to decide. This quick reference guide can help you plan and organize your time or let your kids pick on a whim. 

Trail Adventures 
Tahoe Donner Trail System
The Tahoe Donner Trail System is a well-maintained network of multi-use trails spanning over 60 miles in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The trail system is a hallmark amenity of Tahoe Donner, providing recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers and equestrians. With trailheads throughout Tahoe Donner’s residential community and a main trailhead at the Alder Creek Adventure Center, it is one the most convenient and accessible trail networks in the Truckee Tahoe area, offering a wide variety of explorable terrain. Highlights of the trail include the majestic Hawk’s Peak and stunning Euer Valley, with the South Fork of Prosser Creek running through. Learn more about the trail system online at tahoedonner.com/trails.

Bikeworks + MTB Camp
Mountain biking can be an expensive sport but well worth the investment. If you’ve ever been interested in trying it out or haven’t settled on the right bike for you, Bikeworks at the Alder Creek Adventure Center offers a variety of rentals and retail bikes from the industry’s top brands. From hardtails, full-suspension and e-mountain bikes to bike trailers and trail-a-bikes, set the entire family up for a day or a summer of riding. Bikeworks also offers mountain bike camps for kids, private lessons, group tours and more to help you become better acquainted with the sport and trails. Bikeworks is open from late spring to fall, conditions permitting. Visit tahoedonner.com/bikeworks to learn more.

Equestrian Center
Whether you’re a cowgirl, cowboy or just a horse lover, the Tahoe Donne’s Equestrian Center offers various opportunities to hop in the saddle. Summer camps for kids provide an excellent way to introduce young ones to the joy of riding while helping to instill valuable skills and confidence. Summer clinics for more experienced youth and adult riders can help develop horsemanship skills. The Equestrian Center also offers trail rides in the late summer and fall as a way to explore the trails just like early pioneers once did! 

For horse owners and visiting equestrians, explore daily, weekly and monthly horseboarding opportunities. Applications are available now on the website. Lastly, if you and your family are interested in temporary ownership of well-trained horses, leasing options that offer access to the arena and trails are available. To learn more about all equestrian opportunities in Tahoe Donner, visit tahoedonner.com/equestrian. 

Wet + Wild Fun
Donner Lake + Beach Club Marina
Lake Tahoe is certainly breathtaking and second to none for aquatic recreation. But did you know Donner Lake is a great alternative right in Truckee? Tahoe Donner’s private Beach Club Marina offers a quintessential lake experience for kids, featuring a soft sandy beach; kayak, peddle boat and stand-up paddle rentals; private docks for diving and lounging; and a restaurant for an assortment of beverages and treats! Boat owners can enjoy a private launch and boat trailer parking. Look out for fun summer events geared just for kids, including the annual Crawdad Fishing Contest and the Cardboard Regatta! Various TD summer day programs and camps also utilize the marina to ensure kids get maximum lake time. Visit tahoedonner.com/beach-club-marina to learn more. 

Trout Creek Recreation Center + Northwoods Clubhouse Pools
Tahoe Donner’s two recreational pools located at the Trout Creek Rec Center and the Northwoods Clubhouse are easy options for staying cool on those hot summer days. From dipping in and out of the water to soaking up the sun in a lounge chair, families can skip the lakeside crowds, traffic and parking and opt for endless aquatic fun without leaving Tahoe Donner. Swim programs and lessons are also available to help kids build essential water skills. Learn more about Tahoe Donner’s various swim programs at tahoedonner.com/aquatics.

Fly Fishing on the Truckee River
Are you a fishing family? Possibly one of the best hidden gems of Truckee Tahoe is the Truckee River itself, and discovering secret – and safe – fishing holes only adds to the sense of summertime adventure. If you’re lucky, a friend or neighbor might disclose their favorite spots, or you can visit Trout Creek Outfitters for a full-service fly shop offering gear for purchase or rental, clinics and guided trips. Visit troutcreekoutfitters.com to begin planning your fly-fishing adventure today! 

Sports + More
Tennis + Pickleball Center + Golf Course
Tahoe Donner’s Tennis + Pickleball Center and Golf Course are great options for sporty kids, offering camps, clinics and other programs to help them develop skills and confidence and make friends. Both sports can also be enjoyed as a family. The Tennis + Pickleball Center and Golf Course are open from late spring through the fall, weather and conditions permitting. Season passes and play packs at the Golf Course are available for purchase ahead of the season on ShopTD, and court times at the Tennis + Pickleball Center can be reserved in advance on courtreserve.com. Visit tahoedonner.com/tennis-pickleball and tahoedonner.com/golf for details. 

Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is an exciting and challenging sport for adults and kids alike. Through its recreation program, Tahoe Donner offers guided summer rock-climbing clinics on Donner Summit, where kids can experience climbing on granite slabs. Visit tahoedonner.com/summer-activities for more.  

Kids can also test their skills on the indoor rock walls at High Altitude at the base of Northwoods Boulevard. Basic instruction and auto-belay systems ensure that kids can “learn the ropes” as beginners. However, more experienced climbers can utilize manual belay and attempt more difficult routes and other advanced features on the bouldering wall. Visit highaltitudefit.net for more.