Donner Memorial State Park

JOIN US FOR THE FIRST SIERRA SPEAKERS SERIES OF 2026
SATURDAY, MAY 16, DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

In partnership with Sierra State Parks Foundation, Nevada County Library, and California State Parks, the monthly Sierra Speaker Series connects folks to the rich cultural and natural history of the area. Join us at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn and engage! Doors open at 5 with presentation to follow at 5:30 pm. Parking is free after 5 pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments and wines, sponsored by Highway 12 Winery, will be available. No registration required.

Weather and snowpack conditions during the winter of 1846-47 are critical to understanding the narrative of the Donner tragedy. Periods of heavy snow overwhelmed starving pioneers in the mountains while Pacific rainstorms flooded lowlands and stymied rescue efforts. This unique analysis looks at real-time weather observations from American warships, eyewitness accounts from on-the-ground personnel, as well as reliable statements from an array of contemporary sources.

Tahoe Sierra weather historian Mark McLaughlin is an award-winning, nationally published author and professional speaker with 8 books and more than 1,500 articles in print. Mark has appeared as an expert consultant for CNN, The History Channel, The Weather Channel, and the BBC, as well as many historical documentaries. A North Lake Tahoe local since 1978, he’s a five-time recipient of the Nevada State Press award. Mark has been writing from the mountains he calls home for over 35 years.

Save the date! Here is a teaser of the 2026 Sierra Speakers Series lineup. Some great presenter are on the schedule.

Looking ahead to summer, Donner Memorial State Park's Paddling Tours are now open for reservations!

Explore Donner Lake on a raft led by a California State Parks guide. Welcome to all ages and we encourage youth participants to join with a parent/guardian. We provide paddling instruction, a safety talk, and life jacket fitting before launching our two 14-foot rafts into the lagoon for a one-hour lake exploration (3/4 mi). Each raft holds 7 participants plus one guide who will discuss wildlife diversity and the rich cultural history of the area. You will also have an opportunity to jump into the lake if you'd like! Join us now using the QR code on the flyer!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/69f6ce87/?appointmentTypeIds[]=47115968

Join us this winter on a Historical Snowshoe Tour!

Tours will start at 1pm on Saturdays from January 3rd through March 28th.

Tours last approximately an hour and a half with short educational stops at exceptional viewpoints including the Pioneer Monument, Murphy Cabin site, and natural features.

Register now using the QR code or the link below! Walk-ins are always welcome too. Hope to see you this winter!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/69f6ce87/?appointmentTypeIds[]=37825812

Join us this winter for a Cross Country Ski Tour!

Tours will start at 11am on select Sundays from January 18th through March 29th. Tours last around an hour and a half with short educational stops at exceptional viewpoints to discuss natural and cultural history. Tours will be led by a certified cross country ski instructor. All skill levels are welcome!

Register now using the QR code or link below! Walk-ins are always welcome too. Hope to see you soon!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/69f6ce87/?appointmentTypeIds[]=37820487

Join us at Donner Memorial State Park on December 13th from 10:00am-2:00pm to celebrate the holiday season! Enjoy live music featuring Touch of Gold, Junior Ranger activities, special deals in the gift shop, and cookies with hot chocolate! Junior Ranger activities include a create your own Patty Reed Doll station, create your own snowflakes, and a table with animal pelts of local wildlife species. This is a free event! The $10 ($9 for visitors 62 and up) parking fee will still be implemented. This community event is hosted by Donner Memorial State Park in collaboration with the Sierra State Parks Foundation.

If you love shooting, processing and sharing images with your mobile device, this class is guaranteed to up your game. Discover today's most powerful apps to correct, enhance and transform your photos.

Learn about using your device to capture images. Get familiar with the tools available for mobile photography, from tips on equipment to the best apps for shooting, enhancing and editing photos.

No matter your skill level, you'll discover new perspectives on how to make serious photography with a mobile device.

Topics covered:
• • iPhone photography tips and tutorials

•• Taking Pictures (Composition) enjoy an hour and a half long guided photowalk around the State Park

•• Apps: find the most up-to-date ones that fit your vision.

Sign-up using the QR code or this link: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/69f6ce87/?appointmentTypeIds[]=80421162

Attention all Junior Rangers! We have an exciting program this Saturday from 1-3pm inside the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center that will include western migration educational music and art projects!

Come earn your official Donner Memorial State Park Junior Ranger badge by partaking in an educational art project while listening to storytelling music about the Donner Party.

We hope to see you there!

Have you missed any of our Sierra Speaker Series this year and want to find a way to hear the presentation? Look no further! You can now watch "Wolves Return to the Sierra Nevada" presented by Axel Hunnicutt and "The "Rail" Housewives of the Central Pacific" presented by Debbie Hollingsworth on our Donner Memorial State Park YouTube channel!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/

All future Sierra Speaker Series will be posted!