Reports of hauntings at Donner Memorial State Park often describe feeling watched, seeing apparitions, and experiencing an unsettling atmosphere, with specific accounts including the ghost of Tamsen Donner in an old-fashioned dress and mysterious figures. Visitors have also reported seeing water puddles and shadows, with one Reddit user describing seeing a soaking wet woman in a reflection in the park's bathroom. Some visitors camping at Donner Lake claim to have seen a woman in an old-fashioned dress, surrounded by a glowing cloud, who then disappears without a trace. Some visitors report feeling a sense of being watched or not being alone, even when no one is present. Teenagers at the park have reported seeing a dark, ominous figure behind a tree, and small black shadows jumping from tree to tree. There are reports of seeing puddles of water, and a woman with a soaking wet appearance, according to a Reddit thread about the area. The park is the site where the ill-fated Donner Party was trapped by snow during the winter of 1846–1847, leading to starvation and desperate acts. The area contains a monument to the Donner Party and is a preserved site of their encampment. Some visitors describe the park's pristine trails as holding more than just natural beauty, contributing to a chilling and haunting reputation.