McIVER ARENA,
TRAIL MAPS, & LOCAL CONTACTS
Trail riding in Tahoe is unbeatable—alpine meadows, forested trails, and stunning lake views await. We're creating a trail guide with maps, local zone contacts, and insider tips to help riders explore safely and find the best routes.
In addition, TDH is the care-taker of the historic McIver Arena - a shared arena right in Truckee, with maintained footing for equine activities, social "Snack Shack" area, obstacle & jumping equipment, round pen, and more! McIver is open for public use & TDH members have access 24/7 during the spring/summer/fall.
Know a great trail? Have maps to share? Want to be a local contact for your area? Shoot us a message to help build this resource for our community!
McIVER ARENA
FACILITY CONTACT*:
Truckee Donner Horsemen
truckeedonnerhorsemen@gmail.com
*McIver is part of the Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District (TDRPD) and is located on the eastern part of Truckee Regional Park.
LOCATION: central Truckee, CA - 10050 Brockway Rd, Truckee, CA 96161
DIRECTIONS: be sure you map to the area on the EAST side of the Regional Park (McIver is NOT on Brockway near old town Truckee south of the train station).
TRAILER PARKING: free on-site parking is available at the arena
ACCESS: McIver is open ~sunrise to ~sunset daily in the summer (typically May - September). Gates will be unlocked & locked by TDRPD staff. In addition, TDH members can access McIver using the following gate combo: Main Gate = 1050 (black lock - IMPORTANT: please be sure to keep locked "daisy chained" so other locks stay in-sequence)
When visiting McIver, please let us know - this helps show the value & usage to TDRPD:
click "I Used McIver" every time you visit the arena!
BE AWARE OF: community events (noise, parking) are held regularly in the Truckee Regional Park which can affect McIver. Check the TDH calendar for McIver availability (some days are NOT open for use due to other TDRPD events): click to view calendar
OPPORTUNITIES: large multi-use arena for riding, round pen may be available (June-August), water (non-portable) for horses available during summer months, TDH members can access obstacle/jumping equipment (email for storage lock combo); some day-use pipe-pen stabling is also available (no services - BYO buckets, etc)
More info: TDRPD McIver Arena
History: learn more about McIver
RUSSELL VALLEY
TDH LOCAL TRAIL CONTACT:
Megan Gage (TDH Member)
(650) 248-4002
WEBSITE: n/a
LOCATION: 11 miles (20 minutes) north of central Truckee (nearest intersection: Hwy 89 North / Hobart Mills)
TRAILER PARKING:
* private property in Russel Valley
* Stampede Boat Ramp overflow lot
* Emigrant Trail - Hobart Mills Trailhead
DESCRIPTION: Riding in Russel Valley is quiet, scenic, and expansive. Terrain includes flat meadows, wooded dirt roads, and mellow single-track. Easy access to water - Boca, Stampede, & Prossser Reservoirs all within 1 hour's ride. Access the Commemorative Emigrant Trail, enjoy a break to watch the salmon spawn in Fall, and check out an old Sheepherders camp & pizza oven.
BE AWARE OF: Sheep & livestock guardian dogs graze this area throughout the summer (learn more at Star Creek Land Stewards); mountain bikes & eBikes frequent the Emigrant Trail; many of the forest trails are shared with dirt bikes and OHV vehicles.
OPPORTUNITIES: direct-access to multiple reservoirs (ask Trail Contact for preferred locations to swim your horse!), lots of local history, away from the "typical" tourist hiking/biking trails.
TAHOE DONNER
TDH LOCAL TRAIL CONTACT:
Karen Aaron (TDH Member)
(530) 401-1098
WEBSITE:
https://www.tahoedonner.com/amenities/amenities/equestrian/
LOCATION: 7 miles (15 minutes) northwest of central Truckee (nearest major intersection: Donner Pass Rd / Northwood Blvd; or Hwy 89 North / Alder Creek Rd)
TRAILER PARKING: Tahoe Donner trail access is free with available free trailer parking at the Alder Creek Adventure Center (15275 Alder Creek Rd, Truckee, CA 96161)
DESCRIPTION: Saddle up and ride this summer at Tahoe Donner on the ever popular trails and beautiful historic Euer Valley. Tahoe Donner offers boarding for property owners, guests, and the public. Equestrian events are posted on the Tahoe Donner website - these include pony rides, exciting camps and more. Located at Alder Creek Adventure Center, the Equestrian Center is open to members, guests and the public and also offers daily, weekly and monthly boarding.
BE AWARE OF: many trails are mixed-use, best to have horses comfortable with bicycles, hikers, & dogs
OPPORTUNITIES: daily boarding available; on-site clinics & trail rides, on-site food at Alder Creek Cafe & Bar
PROSSER
TDH LOCAL TRAIL CONTACT:
(coming soon! email truckeedonnerhorsemen@gmail.com)
WEBSITE: n/a
LOCATION:
TRAILER PARKING:
DESCRIPTION:
BE AWARE OF:
OPPORTUNITIES:
LITTLE LASIER MEADOW HORSE CAMPGROUND
TRAIL CONTACT:
Gold Country Trail Council
WEBSITE:
* Trail maps & Horse camp info (GCTC)
* Campsite reservations (Reservations.gov)
Subject to late opening / early closure due to snowfall.
LOCATION: 33 miles (55 minutes) north of central Truckee (nearest intersection: Hwy 89 North / Jackson Meadows Road) GPS 39.49146, -120.51487
DIRECTIONS: Hwy 80 to Hwy 89 North, toward Sierraville. Go almost exactly 15 miles on Highway 89 to the Jackson Meadows turnoff, Fiberboard Road. Be careful, the sign is not easy to see. Turn LEFT onto Jackson Meadows Rd. Proceed approximately 16 miles to the East Meadows turnoff - you can't see the camp from the turn off. Cross metal bridge, take first dirt road left turn. It is a one-way drive into camp. Little Lasier Meadows Horse Camp is approximately 2 miles. Map to: GPS 39.49146, -120.51487
TRAILER PARKING: on-site for each camping space
DESCRIPTION: Established horse camp near scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. The location provides a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting. The Pacific Crest Trail passes just half a mile away from the campground. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest. Permanent horse corrals and general campsite maintenance provided by Gold Country Trails Council.
BE AWARE OF: Trails vary from forest service dirt roads to steep/narrow trails; Bring your own water buckets (water is pumped from well at far end of campsite); a wheelbarrow is very useful to cart water; Camp hosts request that all manure be bagged and removed from site.
OPPORTUNITIES: direct-access to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT); open meadow near campsites for grazing; non-potable water on-site; permanent horse pens at each campsite; easy road access (well-maintained dirt road for final ~1.5 miles)
MORE INFO:
Reservations required, learn more here.
GET INVOLVED
Know a great trail?
Have maps to share?
Want to be a local contact for your area?
Shoot us a message to help build this resource for our community!