California · Rock climbing · Truckee

Donner Lake South / Firepits

Donner Lake South / Firepits is a California climbing area with 9 routes on rock.

9 routes
V0 – V7
Bouldering

Is Donner Lake South / Firepits open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Tahoe National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Tahoe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Donner Lake South / Firepits

Best months: May–September. 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.

  1. Jan

    41° / 17°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    43° / 18°

    10 wet

  3. Mar

    48° / 22°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    53° / 26°

    7 wet

  5. May

    63° / 33°

    6 wet

  6. Jun

    73° / 38°

    3 wet

  7. Jul

    82° / 44°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    81° / 42°

    2 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 36°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 29°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    49° / 23°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    39° / 17°

    10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Donner Mem Sp, CA, 0.9 mi away at 5,937 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Donner Lake South / Firepits is a bouldering area in Donner Memorial State Park, California, within the Truckee Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest. The land is managed by State Park and Recreation, and the park sits about 0.9 miles from a weather station that records typical averages for the area. The climbing here is all bouldering, with nine routes spread across the boulders. Grades run from V0 up to V7, with Power Ballad at V6 and Hot Seat at V7 among the more challenging options. The area is close to several other climbing spots, including South Shore of Donner Lake Boulder at 0.3 miles and Tic Tock Boulder at 0.7 miles. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical July highs reach about 82°F with lows near 44°F, and the station records only about two wet days a month from July through September. Winter is cold, with typical January highs around 41°F and lows near 17°F. Nearby, JP's Trail is a hike about half a mile away, and Donner Creek offers canoeing about a mile off. Granite Flat campground is roughly 2.6 miles away.

Routes (9)