Niagara Creek Campground
Campground
Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
California · Lake fishing · Near Bear Valley
Donnell Reservoir
- May–Oct
- best months
Caution at last check
Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 15 h ago
Is Donnell Reservoir open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Donnell Reservoir, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Stanislaus National Forest extends seasonal MVUM closure for two high elevation roads
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Extension of Seasonal Road Closures
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Donnell Reservoir is a fishing lake in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Summit Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the reservoir sits among a cluster of climbing areas, trails and campgrounds, making it an easy base for a day or longer in the surrounding high country. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Calaveras Big Trees show July highs around 81°F with lows near 56°F and only about one wet day in the month. Winter is much colder, with highs in the mid-40s and lows near 30°F from December through February. The closest neighbors are Pump Rocks, a climbing area about 0.7 miles away, and the Road 5N06 Area, about 1.1 miles off. The Middle Fork Stanislaus River, a canoeing route, and Niagra Creek campground are both about 1.7 miles from the reservoir.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Rebas 's Toll House Cafe
Restaurant
On your way back · 10 mi
If it rainsJunkyardsparkle, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)
More in Bear ValleyLocal outfitters
- Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters41 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Donnell Reservoir
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
45° / 30°
11 wet
Feb
46° / 30°
11 wet
Mar
49° / 32°
11 wet
Apr
54° / 35°
8 wet
May
63° / 42°
6 wet
Jun
73° / 49°
2 wet
Jul
81° / 56°
1 wet
Aug
80° / 55°
1 wet
Sep
74° / 51°
2 wet
Oct
64° / 43°
4 wet
Nov
52° / 34°
7 wet
Dec
44° / 30°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Calaveras Big Trees, CA, 20.3 mi away at 4,695 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
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Pinecrest Lake
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Granite Lake
~21 min drive
Granite Lake is a 7-acre lake near Pinecrest, California, at about 8,621 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Ridge Lake
~23 min drive
Ridge Lake is a 15-acre lake near Pinecrest, California, at about 9,244 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Chain Lakes
~24 min drive
Chain Lakes is a 6-acre lake in California, at about 7,598 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Wire Lakes
~24 min drive
Wire Lakes is a 6-acre lake in California, at about 8,759 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Rosasco Lake
~26 min drive
Rosasco Lake is a 5-acre lake near Pinecrest, California, at about 7,914 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
