Race Day: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Registration is Tentatively Scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 9:00 am
Air Quality Information –
Potential Impact on Race Day
We continue to monitor air quality, in the event of fire, if the air quality index, AQI PM 2.5, is above 150 prior to the start of the race on Saturday, August 10, 2024, the race will be cancelled per USMS and Pacific Masters Swimming guidance. Again, all entry fees are nonrefundable, nondeferrable, and nontransferable. This determination will be made to the best of our judgement and will not necessarily rely upon any single air quality website or data input. We defer a decision regarding AQI conditions until race morning, as conditions can change rapidly.
Donner Lake Swim Email Updates
Email #1: Read the Sunday August 4, 2024 Update
Email #2: Read the Wednesday August 7, 2024 Update
Email #3: Read the Thursday August 8, 2024 Update
Event Sold Out in 2023 – Registration will open June 5, 2024 at 9:00 am at ClubAssistant and see the Race Information page.
Entries are limited to 450.
The registration fee is $85, nonrefundable. The event is SOLD OUT. We will NOT accept more entries.
There will be NO race-day entries.
A link to ClubAssistant will be activated on the Event Entry page a few days before registration day.
Review Recent Email Messages
from the DLS Swim Committee
What you get for your entry fee
(1) Permits for start/Donner Memorial State Park, (2) reserved picnic area and entry fee to West End Beach, (3) shuttle that runs to and from the start during the duration of the event, (4) coordination of safety watercraft, (5) ambulance on site for event, (6) police boat on the water, (7) hospitality at the finish, and (8) chip timing!
Countdown to Race Day
2024 DLS Date: August 10
Entries Opened on June 5, 2024 at 9:00 am PDT
We reached our 450 entries limit in 14 minutes and there are no race day entries!
LOCATION: Donner Lake, Truckee, CA. Located 35 miles west of Reno, NV and 100 miles east of Sacramento, CA. via Interstate 80. The start is at the east end of the lake by Donner Memorial State Park; the finish is at West End Beach. The course is a straight, point-to-point, 2.7 miles. Expect water temperature 65 – 68 degrees (great website to monitor lake temperature). Altitude is 5933 ft.
WARNING: Participants should be adequately trained for this competition, which combines high altitude, cool water temperatures, and a lengthy swim. Previous experience in similar conditions is highly recommended.
COVID: The Donner Lake Swim will be following local and state COVID guidelines. Swimmers must follow these guidelines in order to participate in the swim. United States Masters Swimming encourages all swimmers receive the COVID vaccine.
History of the Donner Lake Swim
The first Donner Lake swim was held in 1980, over 40 years ago! There were 72 participants and the race was won by Wendy Pratt of the Davis Aquatic Masters when she was 20. Her time was 58:46.34, the only participant to go under an hour. The event has been held every year since 1980, with the exception of three years.
Donner Lake, set in a magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains valley, is an iconic mountain lake with numerous recreational opportunities. You won’t find a more beautiful place to compete.
Getting to Donner Lake
Donner Lake, Truckee, CA. Located 35 miles west of Reno, NV and 100 miles east of Sacramento, CA. via Interstate 80. The start is at the east end of the lake by Donner Memorial State Park; the finish is at West End Beach.
If going directly to the start, take Exit 184, Donner Pass Road, off I-80. Go west on Donner Pass Road toward Donner Lake. At the start of the race, you may park at the Donner Museum parking lot for a fee or on the south side of Donner Pass Road (absolutely NO parking on the north side of Donner Pass Road).
If going directly to the West End Beach to take the free shuttle to the start, highly recommended, take either exit 184 or exit 180. The latter is recommended. If taking exit 180, go south on Donner Lake Road, toward the lake. At the finish, you may park at the West End Beach parking lot. A shuttle will operate between the start and finish from 6:30 AM to noon.
Registration and Finish Areas Maps
