While Lake Tahoe is one of the premier lakes in the Sierra, it is far from the only one. The Sierra Nevada is filled with hundreds of lakes and reservoirs that make boating and other water activities a popular pastime throughout the vast mountain range.
Locally, among the most visited bodies of water outside of Lake Tahoe are Donner Lake and Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek Reservoirs.
Donner Lake
Donner Lake is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, and can get crowded on the weekends. But, you’ll find it a fantastic spot to put in for a glorious day of cruising. Donner Lake is just under 3 miles long and about three-quarters of a mile wide, giving boaters, kayakers, water skiers and wake boarders lots of room to spread out and have fun.
Unlike Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake does not require inspections for quagga and zebra mussels, although a ramp attendant recently remarked to me that “they might wish they had” if they spread to the alpine lake. Just remember that if you have your inspection sticker for Lake Tahoe and you visit Donner Lake, you’ll have to pay for your inspection again when you return to Lake Tahoe.
Donner Lake is a mostly residential area with a mix of locals, vacationers and second homeowners. The north shore is home to Donner State Memorial Park, the boat launch, Donner Lake Marina and what few services there are.
From Truckee, take Donner Pass Road, which runs along the north shore. You’ll find the public boat launch near the west end of the lake. If you want to stock up before hitting the water, stop at Donner Pines Market or enjoy breakfast or lunch at one of the area’s best eateries – Donner Lake Kitchen. They are both located on the North Shore, about 1.8 miles before the boat launch.
The Truckee Parks & Rec Department operates the launch, which is open 24 hours a day. Attendants are on-site from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with fees $7 for California residents and $10 for out-of-state during those hours. Parking is $2. There are public restrooms at the launch site.
All boat traffic on Donner Lake goes counter-clockwise and the speed limit on the lake is 35 mph from sunrise to sunset; it drops to 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. The speed is 5 mph nears the homeowner’s beaches – Donner Lake on the west end and Tahoe Donner on the east end – as well as near the public West End Beach. These areas are off-limits to boat traffic, so don’t enter the swimming areas.
If you want to rent water toys, kayaks or personal watercraft, Donner Lake Marina on the west end (just west of the boat launch) and Donner Lake Watersports on the east shore can help. There are no fuel, pump or launch services on the lake, however.
What the lake does have in abundance is public piers – there are 35 public piers on the north shore. You can use them to sunbath or picnic, but please be courteous of private piers. Also, the only restrooms are at the boat launch or Shoreline Park, which is about midway on the north shore and can be reached from the beach. And there are no public piers on the other shores.
The Reservoirs
Boca, Stampede and Prosser Creek reservoirs are great places to visit for a day on the water just outside Truckee. They also offer many camping options, so you can plan a prolonged trip to these area waterways. And, there are no launch fees on any of the reservoirs. However, there are no services near the reservoirs, so stock up in Truckee or at United Trails General Store on Hirschdale Road right off Interstate 80.
Prosser Creek Reservoir, the smallest of the three, is closed to power boats and personal water craft. The speed limit is 10 mph, making it a great spot for fishermen. From Truckee, take Highway 89 to Prosser Dam Road. You can launch from several unimproved locations.
Boca Reservoir is the most easily, and quickly accessible from Interstate 80. You can take the Hirschdale exit or continue on the dirt road from Prosser Dam Road off Highway 89 North.
The Boca area was once a booming industrial area providing ice to railcars carrying goods to the east and lumber to the gold and silver mines from the mid-1860s. There was also a former town near the present-day reservoir and the area was home to the Boca Brewery, said to be “warranted to keep in any area.”
Today, Boca is a favorite spot for personal watercraft and ski boats. There are about 14 miles of shoreline with the depth ranging from 50’ to 80’, with the deepest part near the dam. You can reach the paved boat ramp by taking Boca Lake Road off Hirschdale Road and crossing the dam.
There’s a 45 mph speed limit on Boca from sunrise to sunset, and only 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. In the coves, the speed limit is set at 5 mph.
The largest of the trio is Stampede Reservoir, located a few miles north on Hirschdale/Stampede Road. With about 25 miles of shoreline, the amoeba-shaped reservoir has lots of coves, inlets and spots to get away from the crowds. Stampede averages 90’ to 120’ of depth.
There’s a 45 mph speed limit on Stampede from sunrise to sunset, and only 10 mph from sunset to sunrise. There’s a 5 mph limit within 200’ of the boat ramp, near moored boats, swimmers and the swimming beach. The launch is located on Dog Valley Road off Stampede.
