Donner Summit Westbound – Nevada County

Review #110 — 2016
I’ve never thought to write a review for a rest area before, but then again I can’t recall the last time I needed to use one. However, this one definitely warrants a good review because it is located in a very nice area.
The restrooms were kept nice and clean, at least for the Memorial Day weekend that I happened to stop by and stretched my legs because of the bumper-​to-​bumper traffic. I guess my brothers were a lot smarter than I was since they all left early & didn’t have to fight the dreadful drive.
Surprisingly enough, even though there were a lot of big rigs and family cars parked out front, the ladies’s room seemed quite empty when I was there and there were a decent numbers of stalls so we didn’t have to wait in line as I’d expected.
You can smell the fresh air outside, take a few photos in front of the lake as you stare out into the beautiful mountains while taking in all of God’s creations. It was amazing that you can still find snow on the mountaintop towards the end of spring.

The eastbound stop is better. This one is not as open and has more trees (good for photo op) and more slopes.

I was on my way back down to the Bay Area and decided to stop off here. You know, this has got to be the nicest state Caltrans rest stop facility I have ever seen. It was recently rebuilt when the freeway was resurfaced and it almost like a park. The restrooms are nice and clean, at least the women’s side is anyways! There’s places to have a picnic if you really want to take an expended rest from your travels. Normally I just blast on over Donner Summit, but if I ever need a spot to «rest», this is the spot. There are spots for big rigs to stop and sleep a little as well. This listing is for the Westbound side. If you’ve never stopped here, stop in just to see how nice it is, compared to most any other public rest stop on the highways.

Tell me I’m not the only one who gets hungry the moment you see the sign for Donner Summit. Anyway, I’m usually coming from Tahoe and heading over to the Bay area. The rest stop is about 40 minutes from my house and being a lady now noted by some as «middle-​aged» — harrumph — it’s not unusual for me to make a pit stop «just in case.»
Bathrooms are always clean and its parklike setting means my four legged back seat driver can also jump out to do his thang.
Also, this is my barometer during winter driving — if I get up to this rest stop and the roads look bad, I will turn around at the next exit and save myself a what is supposed to be a three hour drive into a six hour white knuckled drive of horror.

Yes! Pit Stop!
SITREP
Somewhere on Donner Summit there is this nice, convenient rest stop along I-​80. And just when I needed it — I gotz to pull over and relieve the… uh…pressure.
THE SETUP
Initially nothing TOO special:
* Your standard rest area with men’s & women’s restrooms,
* And a map area to consult from to get your bearings on this large region this is within,
* And there was a beautiful Indian totem nearby.
SNOW
But more than that, because of the elevation of this region with respect to the Central Valley, there was a fun fun treat for me: SNOW! Dammit, there was SNOW! W00T!
This was actually the first time in years (since last time to Seattle in Winter) I’d seen up close (let alone «touch») some snow! I took advantage of the moment and made me a lil snowman — I called him «Donner» — to celebrate the occasion. [Truth be told, he was more like three (3) SNOWBALLS *pressed together*, but hey, it’s the spirit, right?] ;)
Donner was not near as handsome nor «animated» in personality as Olaf from «FROZEN», and I’m pretty sure the lil guy is all melted by now, but… we shared a moment. And now I will always think of him, especially since he’s gracing the picture album of this esteemed rest stop!
THE LOWDOWN
Great place to take a leak and build a snowman, but «Watch out where those huskies go, don’t you eat that yellow snow!»

I love this place. Althoigh there food price is a bit pricey. Omg. It’s definitely worth brining in your own condiments. I love this place. Althoigh there food price is a bit pricey. Omg. It’s definitely worth brining in your own condiments.

Pretty nice, even in the middle of the seasons first storm… Heck, maybe nicer due to that — nearly the entire lot to hit us and a few truckers who’d not packed chains, and cozy warm and clean inside.

This is a pretty awesome rest stop. The area is clean and well maintained. The bathrooms are mostly clean and have a lot of natural light. The area is quite pretty — lots of trees and granites, areas to climb around on, even a short trail to hike. Lots of informational signs and posters. It’s a great place to stop, eat lunch at a picnic table, and stretch your legs a bit.

After several years of no rest stops at Donner Summit, they’ve both finally re-​opened. They look like exactly what you want in a rest stop. Clean, plenty of parking, and some vending machine options. They also have an area set up off to the side as a dog walking area with bags to clean up after your little monster. The construction took long enough that these rest stops were out of commission for the majority of the time I spent commuting regularly between Reno and Davis, but it’s certainly a good thing to have these open again.

Abby S. is so right about this particularly scenic and peaceful rest stop. However, it is Construction season in the Sierra’s and this little oasis is temporarily closed. But since the traffic can slow down considerably here, there’s still plenty of time and opportunity to enjoy the view.

OK it’s strange to review a rest stop, HOWEVER this one is gorgeous especially in the winter! Very park-​like in atmosphere. I stop here frequently but usually ONLY to take pictures! :-)
GPS Data
Lon. = –120.34 083
Lat. = 39.34 128
Interstate 80; on Donner Pass. Nevada County