Little Truckee Ice Creamery - Experience Quality, Handcrafted Ice Cream in Reno, Lake Tahoe, & Truckee

Locations

*Downtown Truckee (featured in post)

10157 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161

*Donner Lake 
15628 Donner Pass Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

*Downtown Tahoe City

North Lake Tahoe Visitor's Center Parking Lot

100 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145

*Northwest Reno

1650 Robb Dr Ste B4, Reno, NV 89523

Website

Instagram

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, and most importantly, fresh as can be.  I can never get enough of it, and I always find myself craving this stuff as soon as I'm done with my serving. I used to drive to their shops in Truckee, even though it's pretty far from Reno. Then, one day, the ice cream Gods answered a call and poof, they magically appeared at the old Rita's Italian Ice location in Northwest Reno.  Can't love this shop more.

Little Truckee Ice Creamery serves up all the classic flavors you crave, crafted with care and top-notch ingredients, plus some unique options, like Truckee Trails, that's made with a pine nut brittle, caramel, and house made brownies in a sweet cream base, that really stand out.

Locations

-Donner Location: Right next to Donner Lake & Donner Memorial State Park ($10 day-use fee) - both 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.  There's absolutely nothing more satisfying than spending a whole day at the beach and later topping it off with the best ice cream.

-Downtown Truckee: Truckee is one of the most charming alpine towns that has the best views and vibes.  Catch the ice cream trailer on the main street and enjoy a scoop or two 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 from Truckee, you’ll find this neighborhood gem, another strip of charming shops and restaurants right by the shore that goes by the name of Tahoe City. The ice cream truck is usually parked in the Cobblestone Center’s lot, but has since moved to the lot next to the visitor's center, right next to the Common's Beach parking lot.  Common's Beach is one of my top 10 hidden beaches in Tahoe where you can enjoy seasonal markets, movies on the beach, events, an epic playground, watersports rentals, and more.   At Cobblestone Center, enjoy dining and live entertainment at Tahoe Tap House, catch a movie, and browse some really cool boutique shops.  The beach is across the street of Cobblestone Center.

-Northwest Reno: Located at one of the last Reno exits (Robb Dr.) before ascending on 80W to Truckee.  This stop is a great location to visit while heading in and out of town.  It's conveniently located next to another favorite local spot - Inclined Burgers & Brews.  Craft burgers, fries, and ice cream?!?... sounds like the perfect meal & day to me.

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: It's a popular flavor everywhere for good reason.  Theirs is no exception.

-Strawberry Lemonade: Super refreshing & the perfect non-dairy option.

-Spooner Strawberry: Clean and fresh with supreme strawberry flavor.

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

-Cookies & Cream - OMG good!  Loaded with cookies and that classic oreo flavor. And they don't skimp.

They even have vegan options, like roasted coconut - a coconut milk base with toasted coconut and chocolate shavings, and rotating selection of sorbets. 

I could keep on going on about their other flavors.  I've tried 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 between mouth feel, sweetness, and flavor that’s hard to get right.

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


Seating
-Limited seating at the Downtown Truckee location.
-Outdoor patio seating at Donner.
-No seating at the Downtown Tahoe City location, but you can easily enjoy your treat right down the street at Common's Beach.
-Indoor seating available at the Northwest location.


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 & Reno location for affogatos.
-If you're planning to camp at Donner State Memorial Park (nearby), make sure to book well in advance. Those campsites fill up fast!
-Watch out for specials on pints throughout the year.

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.