Little Truckee Ice Creamery - Experience Quality, Handcrafted Ice Cream in Truckee

Locations:

*Downtown Truckee

10157 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161

*Donner Lake 
15628 Donner Pass Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

*Downtown Tahoe City

475 N. Lake Blvd.
Tahoe City, CA 96145

Website

Yelp

The moment I tasted this ice cream, I knew I had to tell the whole world how amazing it is! Honestly, it's some of the best in the Reno-Tahoe area—scratch that, it's some of the best ice cream anywhere! Creamy, rich, and packed with flavor—I can never get enough. I always make the time to drive to their shops, even though I live far away. They're that worth it!

Little Truckee Ice Creamery serves up all the classic flavors you crave, crafted with care and top-notch ingredients, plus some unique options that really stand out.

LOCATIONS

Another major perk of this shop is its locations. You really can't go wrong with any spot you visit.

-Donner Location: Right next to Donner Lake & Donner Memorial State Park ($10 day-use fee)—both true gems filled with natural beauty and endless things to do. Camp, kayak, paddleboard, pedal boat, hike, or just lounge on the unique, almost private patches of shoreline while enjoying a nearby BBQ picnic.

-Downtown Truckee: The most charming downtown with a magnificent backdrop of evergreen trees and a bustling strip of shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

-Tahoe City: Just about a 20-minute drive away, you’ll find this neighborhood gem—another strip of charming shops and restaurants right by the shore. The ice cream truck is parked in the cobblestone center’s lot, where you can enjoy dining and live entertainment at Tahoe Tap House, catch a movie, and browse boutique shops. Just across the street is Common’s Beach, one of Tahoe’s most lively spots, with an epic playground, kayak rentals, summer markets, and movies on the beach.

Now, back to the ice cream...

All of their flavors are incredible.

-Blueberry Honey Lavender: Fresh and delicious, with the honey and lavender taking center stage while the blueberry adds a subtle touch. Every bite had me saying, "YUM!"

-Truckee Trails: Pine nut brittle and brownie in sweet ice cream marbled with caramel—hands down my favorite flavor! This OUT OF THIS WORLD foodie dream combines crunchy, flavorful brittle with brownie and ice cream, with pine nuts adding a warm, nutty tone that plays perfectly with the other ingredients. The pine nuts are a fitting touch, considering Lake Tahoe is surrounded by tons of pine trees.

-Chocolate Brownie: A sophisticated treat with RICH & INTENSE chocolate flavor and homemade brownies for extra flavor & texture.

-Salted Caramel: Left a big impression.

-Strawberry Lemonade: Super refreshing.

-Spooner Strawberry: Clean and fresh.

-Mountain Top Mint Chip - mint flavor not too overpowering, loaded with chocolate chips.  No artificial dyes.

-Cookies & Cream—OMG good!  Loaded with cookies.

This is what happens when you come across an award-winning shop—you just can't stop raving about everything they offer.  I could keep on going on about their other flavors - I've tried almost all of them, but you get the picture.

As someone who cooks at home all the time, I know that simple ingredients can be elevated with quality & care. Little Truckee Ice Creamery nails this, achieving a perfect balance that’s hard to get right.

Topping Options 

Brownies, cookies, coconut, chocolate/caramel sauce, nuts, cherries, chocolate chips.

They even have vegan options, like roasted coconut—a coconut milk base with toasted coconut and chocolate shavings. Any Almond Joy lovers in the house?

Seating  

- No seating at the Downtown Truckee location.

- Patio seating at Donner.

- No seating at the Downtown Tahoe City location, but you can easily enjoy your treat right across the street at Common's Beach.

NOTES

- If you're celebrating a special occasion—or just celebrating life—their brownie sundae is the ultimate indulgence. It’s huge, so perfect for sharing!

- In a single scoop, you're allowed to pick two flavors.

- They offer a mini option, perfect for kids or if you just want to sample a few flavors.

- Espresso available at the Donner location to make an affogato.

- If you're planning to camp at Donner State Memorial Park (nearby), make sure to book well in advance—those campsites fill up fast!

Prices as of 2020

Categorized under "Good Eats"

Brown's Creek Loop Trail- A Hike with some Breathtaking Views

3584-3694 Joy Lake Road

Reno, NV 89511

Directions

AllTrails Map

***Trail currently closed due to Davis Fire***

Brown's Creek Snapshot

If you’re looking for a beautiful outdoor escape near Reno, Brown's Creek Trail is the place to be. This scenic hike features stunning views, vibrant wildflowers, and the soothing sounds of the creek. It’s perfect for families and anyone who loves nature. With its diverse terrain and breathtaking surroundings, it’s a rewarding adventure that showcases the beauty of our area and creates unforgettable memories in the great outdoors.

Moderate

4.8 mi. loop

2hr 25mins. estimated time

I'm always on the lookout for hikes near Reno that are beautiful, and since my kids were getting more skilled and interested in hitting the trails, I decided to push our limits with a longer hike. Usually, we stick to 2-mile trails, so tackling 4.8 miles felt like a bit of a stretch with a 5, 6, and 1-year-old in tow. But if there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that we humans are capable of so much more than we think.

The first part of the trail, before you reach the loop, weaves through the woods with a gentle uphill slope (over about a mile). You’ll hit the first fork, which is definitely worth a stop—the Vista (just a couple of minutes away). Here, you’ll find a bench, breathtaking views, and an educational sign about a former family attraction called Sundown Town. The second fork marks the beginning of the loop (not far from the Vista). If you take the left side, you’ll tackle the steeper part of the loop; opt for the right if you want a bit more of a challenge.

There are three small bridges that cross the creek. We took a break at the first bridge so the kids could dip their toes in and have some fun. It was so nice, with plenty of trees providing shade. After crossing the second bridge, you’ll arrive at the third fork. We took a wrong turn at this fork, heading straight into the “National Forest” (the loop sign was a bit farther up and faced the wrong way) and ended up hiking an extra 1.5 miles.  Once we realized we were off track, we retraced our steps and found the sign. Instead of going straight, make sure to head upward and to the right to stay on course. After the third fork, we crossed the final bridge and made our way back to the parking lot.

In total, we covered about 8.5 miles, and it was such an empowering and rewarding journey. My family and I met plenty of friendly dogs, admired stunning wildflowers, and encountered many kind people along the way.

We set off on what turned out to be one of the most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding hikes. The trail was filled with stunning views and varied terrains. Wandering through the Galena forest and crossing tranquil Brown's Creek was incredibly refreshing. I can't recommend this hike enough.

Notes

-Ever since getting lost, I make sure to use AllTrails to track my hikes.  

-Dogs, horses, and cyclists are allowed on the trail.  

-Enter the Galena Estates to find the trail entrance parking lot on the left side of Joy Lake Road.  

-The trail entrance is across the street-

-Bring plenty of water

-If hiking with kids, pack lots of snacks. I also brought a portable toilet for the kids, along with sunscreen & hand sanitizer.  

-There’s plenty of shade throughout the hike, but there are also exposed areas.  

-Have your phone handy for emergencies.  

-Alcohol pads and band-aids for unexpected scrapes

-Good footwear highly recommended  

-hiking poles may come in handy for those looking for more stability

-lots of vegetation, lizards, and insects to look at.  

 Pick right side for more of a challenge to go up steep left side at end of loop. Left side to go down steeper side.

Categorized Under Family Friendly Hikes and Scenic Overlooks

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography 

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.