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Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit

Photo gallery for Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit

Stone fireplace, wood beams, and stylish lake mountain decor.
Spacious, open, and bright living, dining, and kitchen area.
View of the home from the street.
Updated counter tops and new appliances.
Back yard complete with seating around a propane fire pit and a grill.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7104.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Truckee, CA
  • Place, Donner Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Donner Memorial State Park
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, West End Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Reno, NV (RNO-Reno-Tahoe Intl.)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Living room 1

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit

Welcome to Donner Lake Cottage!

Quaint yet sophisticated, our cabin is located on the West shore of gorgeous Donner Lake. Our 3-bedroom + loft home features a bright, updated kitchen, a full bath, a private backyard, and is close to tons of fun outdoor activities. We love furry friends and welcome one dog during your stay.

Recently redecorated, our home boasts stylish interior furnishings, including a farmhouse-style dining table, comfortable living room couch and chairs, cozy beds and bedding, and new kitchen appliances.

Guests have access to:
- The backyard with a BBQ and fire pit
- The front yard with a cute picnic table and hammock
- The porch, perfect for relaxing underneath the pines

Home Highlights:
- Pet-friendly: bring your pup!
- Open concept living area with new furniture
- Three outdoor areas for complete outdoor living
- Minutes from the beach
- Heating and air-conditioning
- 48” TV in the living room
- Close to hiking, biking, skiing, and historic Donner Summit Bridge
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 3 comfortable bedrooms accommodating up to 7 guests

Walk into this charming cottage and find a bright, open living, dining, and kitchen area that leads straight out to the private backyard, where you'll find a BBQ for afternoon cookouts and a fire pit for summer nights. The first bedroom with a queen-sized bed, access to the backyard, Biddeford blankets, AC, and more is on this level, along with a full bathroom and laundry room.

Upstairs, you'll find the master bedroom with a comfortable king-sized bed, another bedroom with a twin and a full, and an open loft with two twin beds.

Downstairs, enjoy a cozy porch with two rocking chairs and a front yard with a picnic table for outdoor dining.

During your stay, you will have access to our washer/dryer, WiFi, and room for three parked cars.

One lesson we've learned about the great outdoors is the frequent requirement to wipe down the deck furniture. Despite our efforts to maintain the utmost cleanliness for your convenience, it seems that nature is working against us. You may need to wipe down the outdoor table, chairs, and any other outdoor seating. The dust and pollen accumulates within a matter of hours.

Come enjoy the best of mountain lake living at Donner Lake Cottage!

*Note: Our neighbor is undergoing a remodel and they are doing their best to be respectful and gracious to all guests.*

*Furnishings and amenities will be furnished as described whenever possible. In the event that an item is damaged/broken/lost the owner will restock as soon as possible. All items in description/pictures are not guaranteed.*

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
​Quiet hours are between 9pm - 8am. STR county rules must be followed at all times.
Guests must sign a rental agreement and submit contact information to confirm their booking (for local compliance laws).
We ask that the person booking the home is the primary guest staying in the home and is at least 25 years of age.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 001682

About the area

Truckee

Located in Donner Lake Woods, a neighbourhood in Truckee, this cottage is in the mountains and on a lake. Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California Resort are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Donner Lake. KidZone Museum and Olympic Valley Park are also worth visiting.
View more Cottages in TruckeeOpens in a new window
Map
Truckee, CA

What's nearby

  • Donner Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Donner Memorial State Park - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • West End Beach - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Sugar Bowl Resort - 9 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Northstar California Resort - 22 min drive - 20.2 km

Getting around

  • Truckee Station - 15 min drive
  • Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Coffeebar Bakery - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Tahoe Donner - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Panda Express - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit?

As of 22 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit on 24 May 2026 start from NZ$544, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Donner Lake Cottage - Private Yard, Fire Pit located?

Located in Donner Lake Woods, this cottage is within a 5-minute walk of Tahoe National Forest and Donner Lake. Donner Memorial State Park and West End Beach are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andres R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean and location was ideal for our young family.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Taylor B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dinner Lake get away

Great place and stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location around Donner Lake - great dog walks and private (little but fun) dog beach. Love the towel bins - both bath and beach - plentiful, clean, fresh and rolled!Lots of sleeping options - only one (pretty spacious) bathroom Very responsive Host!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property

So close to beach and great amenities! Will definitely be back
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The home was very comfortable with lots of room for everyone. It had all of the amenities you need for a great vacation. The backyard is great to bbq and have a cozy outdoor fire. The neighborhood is great to walk in and it is walking distance to the beach and a delicious ice cream place. We had an excellent vacation here.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jory a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Location and Beautiful Property!

This place is even better than the photos. I love the décor, private yard, location, so clean and well maintained. And a great location! I highly recommend and we will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jory a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love this place

This is our second time renting this cabin and we are already planning our next visit. It is charming, well maintained, great location and the owners are wonderful to deal with. We love the location, fire place and backyard. Can’t wait to go again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming and sweet cottage

We had the best stay at the Donner Lake cottage. So well decorated, cozy, the softest sheets and so close to the lake. It was a perfect stay for our family of 4! Thanks again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Cabin Near the Lake

This cabin is incredibly clean and comfortable. The neighborhood is friendly and very fun to walk around. We brought our dog with us on the trip and the cabin was perfectly set up to accommodate pets.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MaryAnn P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Well equipped & cozy!

Comfortable & well equipped with everything to make your stay relaxing & carefree. Great set up for hanging out in the yard with nice lighting & Bbq. We will definitely plan to stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jory a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We continue to come back - great cabin!

This is our third visit and we always have an amazing time. Great cottage, well maintained, easy and great communication with the owners. The location and enclosed yard makes it the perfect spot for us. We will be back again soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jory a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Cabin and Location

We continue to rent this cabin and enjoy every visit. The owner is amazing and so responsive and kind. The property is well maintained and has an amazing backyard and a perfect location. We are already talking about our next visit. Love this place!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cabin on the Lake and close to skiing!

We had a wonderful Christmas with the family! 10 minutes to downtown Truckee and Sugar Bowl. I highly recommend!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get away

The property was clean and the owner was very communicative We enjoyed the neighborhood and surrounding areas.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Wonderful place, would stay there again. Well stocked kitchen for pots, pans, cooking. No other kitchen supplies ie spices, sugar, condiments bring whatever you need with,.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful family spot

Our family of 4 + dog had a wonderful stay at Caternia's cottage. It was very clean and well stocked, and we had plenty of room. Having stayed in a lot of rentals over the years, I appreciated the quality of the items- thick fluffy towels, a well stocked kitchen, and even a cordless vacuum for quick clean-ups. Overall a wonderful stay and we would definitely return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

maya l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Labor day

Nice getaway. Cute neighborhood and house!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cutest Cabin in Donner

This cabin is darling. Furnished impeccably & immaculately clean. The whole thing has a loving touch that is hard to miss. We had everything we needed to enjoy our family vacation to the fullest. Cat & her management team are extremely helpful and accommodating. I hope to stay here again and again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great neighborhood and great house!

This house has everything you need for your stay. The fenced backyard was perfect for the dogs. We also met so many friendly neighbors on our walks. The location is great for access to many trails and we also enjoyed time on the public piers along the lake! So much fun! Will return.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mackenize M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Cottage!

This cottage is so great! Very clean, looks just like the pictures, and very comfortable and cozy for six of us! Although it is small on the outside, the inside has the perfect amount of space. The fenced in yard was perfect for the dogs and the fire pit and BBQ did not go to waste! Cat was incredibly helpful and communicative before, during and after the trip. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

cory p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Family House

House was exactly what we expected. Walkable to the West End of the Lake. Perfect for toddlers (ages 3 and 2….we know we bring the danger lol) Host replies super quick. We will be back next Summer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

W Scott K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bears

How awesome? I was sitting at the table next to a giant window when.... Shock and awe... a mama bear and three cubs passed between this and the neighbor's property, but for the window, they were 5 feet away at 6:30 AM. How cool is that? That's old Tahoe cool.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pat C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy and comfortable cabin.

Very comfortable. Slept very well. Lots of room and nice yard with fire pit and lights.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erin V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the cabin

Loved the cabin. The weather was unseasonably cold, made me wish there was a hot tub, otherwise we loved it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it!

As others said, this place was so cozy and lovely! I was looking for a place where I could stay for a few days to get some work done without distractions, and this place worked out great! I felt super safe even though I was alone with friendly neighbors close by. And I loved it so much I also can’t wait to come back with family and friends!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

About the host

Hosted by Caterina & the Tahoe Cohost team

Host profile image
Hi I’m Caterina, but most people call me Cat!

Here are some fun facts about me:

- I was born and raised in Sonoma County but my favorite place on earth is Donner Lake - I have been coming here ever since I can remember.
- My favorite activities as a kid at the lake were trying to catch crawdads (with hot dogs) and minnows.
- I bought my house through friends and without even thinking said “YES!” when they asked - the welcoming community here is unparalleled to anything I have previously experienced.
- I re-vamped my house to be a home-away-from home sanctuary for anyone who visits.
- My dream is to raise my future children coming up to Truckee and Donner Lake.
- I am a fair weather skier so I mostly snowshoe in the Winter.
- I love hiking and taking long walks in the Summer….and visiting Little Truckee Ice Cream after.
- I love attempting to cook and bake.
- I have a lab named Harley who is crazy but an absolute love bug.

Why they chose this property

This is one of the cutest lake cottages you ever did see! While small, it is private and has tons of outdoor space, perfect for all of your al fresco dining, grilling, and relaxing. The home is perfectly styled with brand new furniture and appliances. This cute little cottage is the perfect place for a family or a small group of friends any time of year. We are walking distance to the lake, minutes from some gorgeous hikes, and just a short drive to multiple world-class ski resorts.

What makes this property unique

Donner Lake is the BEST neighborhood. We love that when you stay here you literally don't have to drive anywhere if you don't want to. The beach is walking distance, if you want to go out there is a Pub in walking distance (as well as Little Truckee Ice Cream) and you can hang out the rest of the time at the house if you want (BBQ, lounge, etc.). You can also take long walks and access many hiking trails close to the area.

Languages:

English, French

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