Donnelly sits alongside Lake Cascade at 4,800 feet elevation, with summer temperatures often dropping into the 40s overnight despite warm days. Winter camping requires preparation for sub-freezing conditions, with many campgrounds closing from October through May due to heavy snowfall.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Last Chance Campground connects to Goose Creek Falls trail. "The hike up the river to the falls is one of the better short hikes in the area but there is evidence of bears," mentions Tom K. The 2.8-mile trail features boardwalks over muddy sections and abundant wildlife.
Huckleberry picking: Mid to late summer brings prime picking opportunities on forest trails. "The highlight was definitely the abundance of huckleberries on the Goose Creek trail. You barely have to search for them!" notes Bethany W., who stayed at Last Chance Campground.
Kayak launching: Many campsites offer direct water access for small watercraft. "This small lakeside campground captured our hearts. Who could resist it, with wide open lakefront views like these? An easy launch for kayaks by day," explains Dawn G. about her experience at Amanita Campground.
What campers like
Protected beaches: Lake access points vary in quality and safety. "Our group simply set out in the morning and camped out on the beach with our gear. We had paddle boards, a canoe, and a floatie and spent the entire day out there. There was some nice sand for the kids to build with," shares Tara L. from Sugarloaf Campground.
Wildlife watching: The area supports diverse wildlife beyond the typical deer sightings. "We had 3 baby foxes visit our camp one evening. I could see it getting crowded on weekends, but I had this all to myself on a Monday and Tuesday," reports Simran D. who camped at Sugarloaf.
Winter recreation options: Ponderosa State Park maintains seasonal activities year-round. "In the winter, the park offers great snowshoe trails, and groomed trails for cross-country skiing and skate skiing," explains Hannah C., highlighting how some areas remain accessible during winter months.
What you should know
Toilet facilities vary widely: Many campgrounds offer basic vault toilets without running water. "Vault toilets have very low lighting so not sure how clean they are. Seemed like a lot of bugs inside but clean and didn't smell," notes Julie G. about her stay at Sugarloaf Campground.
Site privacy concerns: Several campgrounds have limited separation between sites. "Sites are all fairly close together with not a lot of privacy. The lake is beautiful, but expect noise from boats," warns Joshua D. about Rainbow Point.
Booking requirements: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "This is a prime spot to camp in McCall. Plan ahead and book early. Great campsites with full hook ups and amenities," advises Lisa O. who stayed at Peninsula Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly beach access: While most dog friendly campgrounds near Donnelly require leashes, some offer water access points. "Nice grassy sites, water right there, vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables, tent camping or RVs. Not a lot of shade but cools down nice at night," reports Erin M. about Rainbow Point Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific features for younger campers. "Great bathrooms and showers great laundry room. Older place has power and water and a central dump station," notes Jeff K. about Black Bear RV Park.
Wildlife management: Pets need special attention due to wildlife encounters. "We had a skunk walk right through our camp!" warns Amanda C. about Rainbow Point, underscoring the need for proper food storage and pet supervision at dog friendly campsites near Donnelly.
Tips from RVers
Electrical access: Hookup availability varies by campground. "Sites had plenty of room and an ok amount of trees. Campground is right on the lake. Only real downfall other than no power (if you need it) is that the campground sits right off of west mountain rd," notes Mike L. about West Mountain Campground.
Site spacing: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. "The campground has new owners that are wonderful and go out of their way to help you. The campground is a bit old and worn although the owners are overcoming the neglect of the previous owner. Sites are level gravel. Hookups are fine," shares Marty S. about Chalet RV Park.
Winter facilities: Some parks offer year-round amenities for RVers. "Wow this park is amazing, very well run 10 out of 10 on this one. The indoor pool and spa and steam room made this my favorite park so far on our journey," recommends a reviewer about McCall RV Resort.
