45th Annual Donner Lake Swim 2026

Donner Lake 45th Annual Donner Lake Swim 202

ENTRIES: The Donner Lake Swim is limited to 475 participants. All race participants must be age 18 or older and must have a CURRENT U.S. Masters Swimming membership. Prior to the close of entries, the registration fee is $100. The entry fee is non-refundable, non-transferable and non-deferable.

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.

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.