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Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin

Photo gallery for Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin

Squirrel's Nest with the new covered entry
Front of 'The Nest'
Back deck and side entry.
Squirrel's Nest - Cabin with a dusting of snow (old picture - remember this?)
Looking East - Donner Lake across the street. Downstairs bedroom to the right.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 892.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Truckee, CA
  • Donner Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Sugar Bowl Resort
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Convertible bed(s)

1 Double Futon

Downstairs Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Upstairs Loft Bedroom

2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining Area

About this property

Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin

Squirrel's Nest is the quintessential lake cabin with granite stonework, wood-burning stove, high-end linens and beds, and tree-shaded decks. Set on a corner across the street from the lake, the cabin is two blocks from the West End Beach.

It is comfortably, completely equipped for cooking, entertaining, and relaxing. The loft “master bedroom” has a queen bed, a day bed with trundle, and a private balcony. The second bedroom has a double (full size) bed. The living room sofa is a hide-a-bed.

The cabin is stocked with firewood, winter sleds and snow shovels, as well as summer hammocks and deck and beach furniture. Gas furnace and stove, washer and dryer, and Smart TV/DVD & Internet. Enjoy an extended retreat in this charming forest home that sleeps a maximum of 6 adults + 2 children.

Keywords:

Property manager

Mary Serrano
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Two smaller dogs may be approved. Ask me.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Property Registration Number RCN 001506

About the area

Truckee

Located in Donner Lake Woods, a neighbourhood in Truckee, this cabin is in the mountains and on a lake. Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California Resort are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Donner Lake. Travelling with kids? Consider KidZone Museum and Olympic Valley Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Cabin rentals in TruckeeOpens in a new window
Map
Truckee, CA

What's nearby

  • Donner Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Donner Memorial State Park - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Sugar Bowl - 19 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Sugar Bowl Resort - 20 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area - 21 min drive - 19.0 km

Getting around

  • Truckee Station - 10 min drive
  • Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Wild Cherries Coffee House - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Panda Express - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Tacos Jalisco - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Donner Lake Charmer - West End Stone Cabin located?

This family-friendly Truckee cabin is located on a lake, within a 5-minute walk of Tahoe National Forest and Donner Lake. West End Beach and Donner Memorial State Park are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 164 out of 182 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 182 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 182 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 182 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 182 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Raymond E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Getting together
Hikes and conversation—discussing old times together in Reno/Tahoe.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claudia U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Adorable Donner Lake Cabin
I highly recommend this lovely cabin. It was perfect for our family of 2 adults, 1 teen, 1 doggie. The location couldn't be more charming. The property was spotless, stocked with everything. And Mary, the host, was super nice, she gave us very clear and easy check in and check out information.My family would love to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gloria O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Squirrel Nest
Lovely little stone cottage in a nice neighborhood walking distance to Donner Lake.Comfortable accommodations
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andre R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Little Cabin
Close to Sugar Bowl and Donner Lake.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Susanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ski trip
This is the second time we have stayed and the upgrade to keyless entry was a nice touch. The hosts are communicative and easy to work with.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Keith O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
This area is so nice along the lake. We stayed for a ski vacation and the drive along the lake is as beautiful as Switzerland. We were pinching ourselves and made us realize you don’t need a huge cabin to feel at home and cozy. Check in and amenities were super easy and perfect. Thank you Mary!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Leah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenae N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dreamy Mountain Stay
We enjoyed this cabin to the fullest! The fire kept it warm and cozy, we enjoyed dinner together as a family, and the location was ideal. The open floor plan allowed us to all be together even in separate spaces. The kitchen was stocked with everything we needed. Check in and out was so easy. We definitely plan to come back!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claire S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy and comfortable cabin!
We had a great time. The location is ideal for both Sugar Bowl and Truckee.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect holiday cabin.
We visited over Christmas to celebrate in the mountains. The “Squirrels Nest” was absolutely perfect for the two of us to relax and enjoy being in the snow. It is tucked away at the west end of Donner Lake. Everything was cozy and well furnished. The wood burning stove was a notable feature we quite enjoyed. We cooked every night and never found a dish or utensil we were without. The rooms were comfortable and warm. The WiFi was quite good as well. Overall, we can’t wait to visit again.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deb H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mother & Daughter Time
Cozy, quiet and wonderful. Beds were comfy & we had everything we needed. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gordon R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfy home
I needed my annual mountain fix and this place was perfect for it. The location couldn't be better. It's right at one end of Donner Lake, you can walk to the large south end beach in minutes. The house is well stocked and comfortable. It's not a 'fancy' place but exudes warmth. You can park right in front and it's only one step up to the front door. I used only the ground level bedroom; the bathroom is close by. There are a number of extras I didn't use, such as an electric grill on the back deck and a fire burning cast iron fireplace in the living room, but those are nice touches. It's located in a very quiet neighborhood, at least when I stayed in October. The wall furnace can be a bit noisy when it's running, but it warms the place well enough. I only missed having one piece of kitchen equipment I use a lot at home - a toaster oven. But they do have a good toaster. The stove and refrigerator both appear to be new. The TV and Internet both worked without issue. Pretty good internet speed. You'll have to logon to your own Netflix account, if you want to use that. I did. Mary was a great host. We communicated a few times just prior to my arrival and she was always friendly and very responsive.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy cabin in serene and quiet setting
I had a wonderful stay in this cozy cabin in a very quiet and beautiful neighborhood just across from Donner lake. It had everything I needed. In the mornings I took a short drive up Donner pass road to sit on the rocks and drink my coffee overlooking the lake. There are amazing hikes just minutes away. Mary, the host, was very communicative and gracious. I hope to visit again. e
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice place, good time in area
Very nice, close to lake
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Scott R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colleen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceeded expectations
The cabin was charming and very comfortable. Everything was what it should be for a cabin on a lake. Set amongst tall pines and very close to the gorgeous lake, the quiet and peacefulness was welcome. I'd like to stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allison H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun truckee trip
The place was very clean and perfect for my group of friends. Bonus was the grill and storage shed for our bikes. Mary communicated well and left a long list of details about the place so there was no confusion. House was well stocked with supplies.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Donner Lake
Very nice , great location.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

aaron b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A gem cabin
This cabin is well loved and taken cared of. Perfect location. Small space but full of life. Host was great and communicated wonderfully.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Denise B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great stay
Thank you Mary. We always feel at home. See you again soon
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Home
This beautiful home was even better in person. It’s located in a beautiful neighborhood and a short walk to the local pub that serves some of the most amazing food. The bed that I slept in was extremely comfortable and I really enjoyed being able to leave the door open onto the little deck. I definitely will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bryan v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved the squirrels nest
This is an awesome little place. Very clean and close to everything. I would absolutely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dean O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Destination Getaway!
We had a wonderful family getaway that included skiing and some solid family time. The location of the property couldn’t be nicer or more beautiful. Mary made for such a seemless renting process and was above and beyond accommodating! I would highly recommend this property to all and can’t wait for our next return adventure!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical
My mom and I had a great time at the squirrels nest. We had never been to the Truckee area and were blown away by the gorgeous snow covered mountains pines after the big storm last week. The neighborhood is really quiet and close to town. We had a fun breakfast at Jax diner the first day and a great latte and pastry at the Coffee Bar before we left. Otherwise we made dinner in our kitchen and sat by the wood stove in the cozy recliners. Mary was a great host and we look forward to staying again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Mary Serrano

Host profile image
We are the former owners of the Donner Lake Inn (2004-2012). We cherished our time living in Truckee, especially at Donner Lake. Now living in the Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, we share our cabin with you. While living at the Inn, we started renting Squirrel's Nest out and now have many guests who return year after year. Squirrel's Nest is our home as well as yours.

Why they chose this property

The "Nest" is directly across the street from Donner Lake, with only trees filtering your view. In the Summer it is a short walk to the beach. In the Winter our roads are some of the first to be cleared. Once inside, you will feel like you are home.

What makes this property unique

The most asked about feature of our cabin - the wooden floor. What is it? An old bowling alley? No it is a "reused" solid maple gym floor complete with stripes. The planks were installed in random order. The wood burning stove adds warmth and creates a cozy atmosphere. You can sit by the fire and gaze up into the trees through the large, west facing, dual glazed windows. Heaven on earth.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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