Donner Summit Eastbound Rest Area

It Does The Trick! *W00T!*
SITREP
Okay. Admittedly, there isn’t much that you can rave about when it comes to a Rest Stop, for gawd’s sake, but they are NOT all created equal. So let’s get into what I like ’bout this here lil stop:
(1) ALWAYS FREAKIN OPEN! Even at 2am. Even at 5am. You may THINK that is a no brainer, but this is NOT the case of all rest stops, by the way. [Sends angry searing gaze towards some I-​15 stops between Arizona and Montana.];
(2) BIG — lots of stalls, lots of room between stalls, so even if there is a guy standing right next to me («Oh hi, Eugene L.!», my buddy from East Bay), it’s not like you two are getting cozy with your shoulders up right next to each other (as is the case in some of my regional offices for work…(*Bleh*);
(3) PERFECT TIMING — in my trek between Sacramento and Reno, that latte I got at Temple or Weatherstone is RIGHT ABOUT NOW working it’s way outta my bladder, so seeing this rest stop is a godsend;
(4) ALWAYS SOMETHING INTERESTING TO SEE! — whether it be cute doggies, mounds of snow, mounds of snow being pee’d on by cute doggies, cute doggies being covered by mounds of snow,…pretty nasty accident smack up in front because some motorist tried to get into the rest stop by cutting off a truck… and lost… yeah, cool things like that!
(5) CONTEMPLATING DINNER — either about what I am going to get when I drive into Reno, or wondering if the «Spirit of Donner Pass» will *compel* me to eat one of my passengers!
Such fun stuff!
THE LOWDOWN
Thank you Donner Pass Eastbound rest stop for truly being there when me (and my bladder) needed you most! *hearts*

Quick rest stop on the way back to California! There are no vending machines and many of the facilities entrance doors were locked. It was snowing when we were there which is probably why everything was locked but the parking lot was completely full.
There are 2 men and women’s seperately bathrooms. The bathrooms were pretty clean compared to other pit stops.
Note: the weekend I went was the night of Saturday January 23, and returned back to the Bay Area on the evening of January 24. The roads were cleared out constantly by trucks with large snow plows and there was major traffic on the i80 both to and from Reno.

What a Welcomed Sight. I was on my way Home from Reno. After being up for over 24Hrs, I needed a nap. Then I happened along this Rest Area. Perfect timing.
Pulled Black Beauty in and parked and took a little Cat Nap, When my Ankle Bracelet woke me up, I used the Restroom which was surprisingly pretty clean especially for a public restroom.
Jumped back into Black Beauty and Dropped the Hammer and jumped back onto 80 and rolled home.
Nice little Rest Stop.

I love rest stops on long stretches of road. This was a lifesaver. They have a nice clean restroom and an area to play and walk around. This was the perfect sledding spot for one family. Free and covered with snow. Also plenty of parking and a potty. This was a good first snow safe picture spot. There are so many picturesque spots on the roadside, but it’s not safe to pull off so this one worked perfect for our needs.

I was on my way into Reno and decided to stop off here. This is the rest stop at the summit of Donner Pass on I-​80, just at the Boral Ski resort. 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 Eastbound 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.

I’m so close to home but I just can’t wait any longer. Time for a pee break. Roll up and run in to use the nicely updated bathrooms. Then come back and rescue your fur kid who has been waiting patiently in the car while you did your bidness, coz now it’s time for his bidness. Leash him up and grab a poop bag BECAUSE. Let him wander around while you stare at the foreign /​flatlander tourists who still can’t believe there is snow there in April /​May /​June. Endure the stale jokes about «time to find someplace to eat, get it, hon, DONNER SUMMIT, get it?!»

Really nice place for stretching after a long drive from Reno to Sacramento.
Next time we are definitely going to check out the trail, so pretty with only a glimpse.

Great rest stop! The bathrooms are super clean! The view is gorgeous and you can even do a mini hike. I just «hiked» up the biggest rock and took a quick picture because I needed to get back on the road.
If you are bringing your fur babies, bring a bag to pick up after them.
There’s plenty of places to park and room for RV or big trucks with trailers.

Super clean bathrooms at this scenic rest stop. A good place to stretch your legs and take a leak.

clean clean clean… most important factor for a rest area! :D

I definitely recommend coming here for your rest stop if you pass, it is really clean and spacious. Weird that I’m reviewing a rest stop right? But it was such a perfect pit stop. We played with snow that didn’t melt yet by the pond (5÷5÷2014) and was able to take a few photos with snow in the background in the middle of spring time! Only in California where you can play in the snow and go to the beach for a picnic in the same day :]
Pros–
Plenty of parking
Good pit stop if you’re driving by [Clean!]
Picturesque background with snow and nature