Where to Find the Quietest Snowshoe Trails in Truckee (Local Guide)

Snowshoeing with kids and dogs in Truckee off the 06 fire road.

With pillows of white snow that sparkled like diamonds in all directions, puffs of cotton-like snow hanging heavy on the branches of pines that stood sentry through the forest, and the utter silence of the forest, my FOMO for snowboarding at the resort waned considerably. 

The day presented the perfect conditions for snowboarding according to my personal playbook. The end of a major snow event left the snow powdery and light, the sun broke through to light up a vast blue sky, there wasn’t a lick of wind, and it was cold, but not too cold. Best of all, it was Monday. The crowds had gone home.

But I wasn’t at the resort, I was snowshoeing with my dog off the 06 fire road, the gateway to a branch of trails in an open forest. Glancing one other person in the distance, I realized we mostly had this gift-of-a-day to ourselves.

After our refreshing hike in the woods, I stopped at Raley’s on the way home, where I ran into a friend who had spent the day skiing at Palisades Tahoe. “What a nightmare,” she rolled her eyes. “It was crowded AF and they never opened the top of the mountain.” FOMO gone.

There are a ton of places to snowshoe in Truckee. But this small list highlights my personal favorite spots to get away from the crowds. Please be respectful of the trails, the people and pets on them, and pack everything out — including your dog’s poop bag.

The 06 Fire Road

Snowshoeing in Truckee after a storm. Off the 06 fire road.

Cut through Truckee’s Sierra Meadows neighborhood by heading up Palisades Drive and follow as it turns into Ponderosa. Take a right on Silver Fir, and a left at Thelin. Drive slow, there are kids and dogs everywhere, and this is a residential neighborhood.

Once at Thelin, drive up until you see the 06 parking lot on your right. There is limited parking in the lower lot that is plowed. If there isn’t a spot available, wait a bit for one to open up. Don’t park on the side of the road, you can get towed or ticketed.

Explore the trails that have already been broken, or make your own. Hike up the fireroad to the official Sawtooth trail or head through the trail that’s to the side of the parking lot.

Once you get the lay of the land, you’ll find your way to incredible views of Truckee and the Truckee River. But I’ll let you hunt for those.

Taking in the view after a snowshoe hike in Truckee.

Coldstream

Take Cold Stream Road all the way until you’re not allowed to go anymore. Park where you can, being mindful of the narrow roadway.

Snowshoeing in Truckee’s Coldstream Canyon

You have a choice here to go left or right. If you go left, you’ll hike through Coldstream Canyon. There are two options for routes: the fireroad on the right or the track that goes straight up from the fire road you hiked in on. I prefer the track as it runs right along the river, which flows heavy in the winter. It’s a great workout as the path offers a significant climb. You will probably run into some XC skiers, this is a popular spot for cross-country skiing.

If you decide to head right from your car, you’ll be hiking along the backside of Donner Lake campground. It’s flat, gorgeous, and quiet. Wander around through the trees and use your phone to make your way to Donner Lake. A beautiful reward for a challenging trek in the snow.

See you out there!

Snowshoeing in Truckee! That’s me :)