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

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The moment I tasted this ice cream, I knew I had to tell the world how amazing it is! Honestly, it is some of the best ice cream in the Reno Tahoe area. Scratch that, it is some of the best ice cream I've ever had. It is creamy, rich, packed with flavor, and tastes as fresh as can be. I can never get enough, and I always start craving another scoop the moment I finish one. It's an ice cream lover's/foodie's dream come true that you can't help but crave no matter then season and weather.

Little Truckee Ice Creamery started in Truckee in 2017, when owner Kenny Blum opened the original shop near Donner Lake. This small ice cream shop was created with families and the outdoors in mind and has since grown into several locations around the area. I used to make the drive from Reno to their Truckee shops just to get my fix, so you can imagine my excitement when the ice cream gods finally answered my prayers and Little Truckee opened in the old Rita's Italian Ice location in Northwest Reno.

Little Truckee serves up all the classic flavors you crave, made with quality ingredients and plenty of care, along with creative flavors that really stand out. One of my favorites is Truckee Trails, made with pine nut brittle, caramel, and house made brownies folded into a sweet cream base. It is dangerously delicious.

Pricing reflects the quality & taste of the ice cream. It's always worth every penny, but if you find yourself torn and on a budget, go for the pint and split it between your peeps - it's the best bang for your buck.  For my adventurous foodie friends, order 4 minis in different flavors and book your one way flight to flavor town.  You're welcome!

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, along with a strip of charming shops and restaurants right by the shore that goes by the name of Tahoe City. The ice cream truck is parked in the California 89 Home & Apparel parking lot.  Free parking available at Common's Beach and the Tahoe City Transit Center.  Common's Beach is one of my top 10 hidden beaches in Lake Tahoe where you can enjoy seasonal markets, movies on the beach (summer nights), events, an epic playground, watersports rentals, and more.  Just a half mile, you'll find Cobblestone Center - enjoy movies at Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema, dining and live entertainment at Tahoe Tap House, and browse some really cool boutique shops.  Common's beach is directly 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.  

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! Oreo is my favorite go-to ice cream flavor anywhere.  Theirs is honestly one of the best versions ever to exist. Loaded with cookies and that classic oreo flavor. 

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, 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 sites well in advance. Campsites fill up fast!
-Watch out for specials on pints throughout the year, especially during the holidays.

Prices as of 2020

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

Photography 
© Katherine Fung,
All rights reserved.

Categorized under "Good Eats"

Brown’s Creek Loop Trail Reno: Hiking Guide, Views & What to Expect

3584-3694 Joy Lake Road

Reno, NV 89511

AllTrails Map

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, diverse terrain, and the soothing sounds of the creek. It’s perfect for families and anyone who loves nature.  A rewarding adventure that showcases the beauty of our area.

Level: Moderate

Trail Length: 4.8 mi. 

Elevation gain: 1,000 ft. 

Estimated time: 2hr 25mins. 

I'm always on the lookout for good hikes in Reno that are beautiful, come with shade, views, changes in elevation, and water features. Brown's Creek Trail, located in south Reno, in the Galena area, just off Mt. Rose Highway, checked all the boxes.

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, and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones and discovering new places almost always comes with a pretty big payoff.

The first part of the trail, before reaching the start of the loop, weaves through the woods with a gentle uphill slope over about a mile.  The first fork features a beautiful vista worth checking out on a little detour. Here, just a couple of minutes from the main trail, you’ll find a bench, breathtaking views, and an educational sign about Sundown Town, a short lived Old West themed family attraction that once stood nearby. The second fork marks the beginning of the loop, not far from the Vista. Take the left side if you want the easier route, as you’ll descend the steeper section rather than climb it.

Along the trail you'll come across three small bridges that cross the creek.  We took a break at the first bridge so the kids could dip their toes in the water and have some fun. It was a nice stop to for cooling down with plenty of shade provided by nearby trees. After crossing the second bridge, you'll find 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) resulting in an extra 1.5 miles tagged onto our original route. We retraced our steps back to the sign, and, instead of going straight, made sure to head upward and to the right to get back 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. It was such an empowering and rewarding journey. My family and I met plenty of friendly dogs, admired stunning wildflowers, encountered many kind people along the way, and leveled up our hiking game a bit.  The best part was being able to experience this adventure & complete wilderness without having to leave the city. 

Wandering through the Galena forest, crossing tranquil Brown's Creek, distracting the kids with tons of snacks & being their cheerleader, and getting over a hiccup with the family was incredibly fun, educational, and refreshing. 

I can't recommend this hike enough.

Notes

-It's super helpful to familiarize yourself with trail maps/apps that include navigation features that help keep you on track

-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.  

-Trailhead is located across the street

-Bring plenty of water, sun protection

-If hiking with kids, pack lots of snacks. 

-There’s plenty of shade throughout the hike, but there are also lots of 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 discover and enjoy

 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.

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

Photography 

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized Under Family Friendly Hikes & Scenic Overlooks