Emigrant Trail Museum

Located at Donner Memorial State Park, the Emigrant Trail Museum recounts the history of the area and the people who came into this part of the Sierra, including Native Americans and builders of the transcontinental railroad, through dioramas and artifacts. The museum also tells the story about the ill-fated Donner Party; a slide show details the party’s plight.

Surrounding the Emigrant Trail Museum, Donner Memorial Park offers a plethora of summer activities including camping, picnicking, boating, and hiking. In winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe on the trails, while taking in the dramatic winter vistas. Also here is the Pioneer Monument, which was built to commemorate the pioneers who immigrated to California in the late 19th century.