Self-Guided Driving Tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit

Follow the Donner Party pioneers' trail as you hear their ill-fated saga unfold on this self-guided driving tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive self-guided driving tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit. When the Reed family became trapped and snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, their lives would never be the same. On this driving tour, you’ll hear Virginia Reed’s firsthand account of the challenges and victories that these members of the Donner Party pioneer group experienced while stranded for almost four months, through the 12-year-old’s journal. On the drive, you'll visit the Donner Memorial State Park, take in the spectacular view from the top of the Donner Summit, and contemplate the difficulties the Donner Party experienced in the winter of 1846–47. You may stop where you want, when you want, and for as long as you want. It’s up to you!

From: $0.00

Location: Lake Tahoe

What's Included

Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is there an age limit for this driving tour? Can kids join?

A: There’s no official age limit! It’s a great experience for kids, especially with the storytelling aspect. Just make sure they can handle the car ride and maybe have some snacks ready. The tour’s flexibility lets you stop anytime, so you can take breaks as needed!

Q: What should we wear for this driving tour? Any tips?

A: Dress in layers! The weather can change quickly in the Sierra Nevada. Comfortable shoes are a must since you'll want to stop and explore at Donner Memorial State Park. Also, consider bringing a light jacket, especially if you're going in the fall!

Q: How does the GPS playback work? Is it easy to follow?

A: The GPS playback is super intuitive! Once you start, it’ll guide you through the route and you'll get audio at each point of interest. It’s like having a personal tour guide in the car, so you won’t get lost. Plus, you can pause and replay whatever you want!

Discussions

Just did the self-guided tour from Tahoe to Donner Summit!

Hey everyone! I just finished the self-guided driving tour from Tahoe City to Donner Summit, and WOW! The views were incredible, especially from the summit. I loved hearing Virginia Reed's story while driving; it really brought the whole journey to life. We took our time stopping at Donner Memorial State Park, which was super cool and educational. Highly recommend it for a chill day trip!

Looking to gift the driving tour experience!

I’m considering this self-guided tour as a gift for my parents who love history and the outdoors. Do you think they’d enjoy it? Any tips for making it special? I want it to be a memorable day for them!