Donnells Reservoir is located in a steep rocky canyon on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, approximately 5 miles upstream from Beardsley Reservoir, 7 miles from Highway 108 off Beardsley Road on 5N09X (the 4,700′ road), a narrow and winding route where safe travel speeds average less than 15 mph. No facilities are provided for boating. The steep rocky terrain limits foot access to only small portions of the shoreline. No developed recreation facilities exist at the reservoir, however the area is popular for day use, dispersed camping and fishing. The reservoir is open all year with road access subject to winter closure.
Donnells Reservoir is located in the Summit Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. Visitors can enjoy the following:
- Dispersed Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Donnells Vista: Picnic tables, vault toilets, picnicking, nature trail and scenic overlook of Donnells Reservoir and the Dardanelles. New expanded accessible trails with signs along the way leads to an overlook with sweeping views of the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River Canyon and Donnells Reservoir. On Highway 108 about 18 miles east of Pinecrest.
- Trailheads along Fence Creek Road at Wheats Meadow and County Line provide access to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.