Donner summit camping beta

Hi guys, a pair of Brits here planning to climb at Donner Summit area for a week or so at the end of August (with maybe a day or two in the Emeralds and at Big Chief area). We've never been before, so I was looking at the Donner Memorial State Park campgrounds as they look perfectly located. It seems that two of the three are fully booked forever and the Creek campground is walk-in only. Are we likely to be able to get a site at the Creek campground if we arrive mid-week in August? Also open to suggestions of other campgrounds if that would work better.

Cheers, Andy

I think probably yes, you can get a walk-in site if you show up mid week. There are also several more campgrounds along HW89/Truckee River you could check out. I know for a fact that several campgrounds on the river to the north of Truckee have numerous FCFS sites. I stayed at this one recently, which is a bit of a drive but wasn't too bad. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232907

I’m seeing good availabilty at a few National Forest Service campgrounds when I put in dates Aug 20-27.  Go to recreation.gov and search near Truckee. I’ve stayed at a nice little one on 89 just south of Truckee before.  

Labor Day, which falls on Monday Sept 1 this year is a big 3 day weekend holiday. Lots of things will be unavailable that Friday/Sat/Sun before Labor Day.

Donner is always completely booked because it’s on the Lake.
edited to say - the Donner Museum is worth a visit!

Another post to say that the Emeralds is pretty low altitude for the end of August. There’s a ton to do at Donner Summit and Big Chief. If I were to add anything else to that I would next say Twin Crags which is very close or even head a bit south on the west shore to Emerald Bay/Eagle Lake area (Eagle Creek Canyon area). 

If you're open to dispersed camping, there are plenty of places near big chief and the emeralds where it's legal. However, depending on the severity of the fire season, it's entirely possible that the national forests will be closed or that there will be a ban on fires and camp stoves.

Also expect traffic to be rough if you are leaving the area around labor day. The long weekend + post-Burning man traffic.

Thanks all, really helpful!

I think we'll try to get a walk in site and if we can't there's plenty of other options. Cheers for the Labor day knowledge, useful to know as a brit.

I took a quick look at your profile.  If you are interested in harder sport routes, you might want to take a look at Mayhem Cove as an alternative to The Emeralds. And if you like gear routes but don't have much gear with you, 90 foot wall in the same area  is well-known for being easy to set up for topropes. Good luck with the camping and have a great trip.