How much does camping cost at Cottonwood?

Camping fees at Cottonwood range from $33.97-$140/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cottonwood first-come first-served or reservation?

Cottonwood accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cottonwood before I book?

Yes! Cottonwood has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cottonwood?

Cottonwood is open May 22 to September 28. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cottonwood?

Cottonwood does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Cottonwood have?

Cottonwood has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cottonwood?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cottonwood. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Cottonwood?

Cottonwood offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cottonwood?

Popular activities at Cottonwood include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cottonwood (Ca)

3.67

51 reviews

C-Report Card

Summer Destination

Featured in:Hiking Camping

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$33.97 - $140/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open May 23, 2025, r...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Plumas National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$33.97 - $140/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open May 23, 2025, r...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Plumas National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Cottonwood (Ca)

$33.97 - $140.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-13758: $100.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-13759: $140.00; MANAGEMENT: $33.97; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $34.00. Plus...

Group Site Fee$140.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

408-489-3205 OFF SEASON / 530-832-1076 ON SEASONjames.bradeen@usda.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Cottonwood (Ca)

39.8847, -120.2367

Nearby places

Chilcoot (8 miles) and Loyalton (distance unspecified).

Weather at Cottonwood (Ca)

Current alerts(10)

A variety of wildlife live in this area, including black bears. Before making a reservation, become aware of bear safety.
American the Beautiful, Senior Passes, and Access Passes are accepted for single campsites only. They are not accepted for double or group campsites.
Bear resistant lockers are not provided.
Campground Map

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood (Ca)

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full access to Frenchman Lake for swimming, boating, and fishing — expect sunny, dry days with highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (24–29°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–12°C). All campground services are open (reservable May 23–Aug 31) and trailheads are fully accessible, so water recreation and day hikes are at their peak. Weekends can be busy in July–August, so reserve a site early and plan for strong sun and occasional wildfire smoke Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season: full lake access for swimming, boating and fishing; peak season noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 28. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 23, 2025, reservable until August 31, 2025. First-come, first-served season runs from September 1-28, 2025.

About Cottonwood (Ca)

Cottonwood sits in mid-elevation Plumas National Forest near Chilcoot, with direct access to Frenchman Lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. Operated by Plumas National Forest, this small campground offers tent, RV, and group sites under shaded pines. Campers appreciate the maintained restrooms and multiple water spigots, though noise from neighboring sites can be an issue during busy weekends.

Cottonwood Springs Campground accommodates a wide range of camping preferences, with facilities for tent and RV camping, as well as group sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full access to Frenchman Lake for swimming, boating, and fishing — expect sunny, dry days with highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (24–29°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–12°C). All campground services are open (reservable May 23–Aug 31) and trailheads are fully accessible, so water recreation and day hikes are at their peak. Weekends can be busy in July–August, so reserve a site early and plan for strong sun and occasional wildfire smoke Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation5700 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryPine forest provides shade across the campground, with views of Frenchman Lake from some sites. The surrounding landscape mixes Sierra Nevada mountain terrain with desert flora. Sagebrush and drought-adapted plants grow among the pines, creating an ecosystem where mountain and desert vegetation overlap. The lake sits close enough for water access but far enough that sites feel removed from the shore traffic. Eagles and other wildlife move through the area regularly.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges or cabins available at this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Generally, campsites allow two vehicles, with additional fees for extra vehicles.

Groups

Group site B accommodates up to 25 guests and six vehicles, while Group site D accommodates up to 50 guests and 12 vehicles. Both sites require reservations.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online through Recreation.gov, via app, through the contact center, or in-person.

AccessibilityAccessible flush toilets are provided, and at least one accessible fishing trail is available within the campground.

Site SizeThe group sites are large enough to accommodate 25 to 50 people, depending on the site, with allowances for six to 12 vehicles.

PrivacyThe sites offer some degree of privacy thanks to the surrounding pine forest. Some users noted the campground is quieter than sites closer to Frenchman Lake.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesSites closer to the lake provide easier access for water activities, while others are quieter and shaded. Campsite 001 is ideal for serenity and hiking.

Best CampsitesSite 001 stays quieter than others and sits close to the lake. Site 016 gets consistent mentions for cleanliness. Sites closer to Frenchman Lake tend to have more noise from other campers and water activity.

Need help booking Cottonwood (Ca)?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Cottonwood Springs Campground offers a mix of amenities designed for both tent and RV campers. The campground features 20 single-family sites and two group sites, equipped with paved parking, picnic tables, campfire rings, and grills. Roads within the campground are paved, and there are accessible flush toilets and drinking water. An RV dump station is located just outside the campground. "The bathrooms are kept clean," according to a user, though there are varied reports about water availability. Firewood is not explicitly mentioned as being available. The campground is managed by hosts, although reviews highlight issues with host responsiveness.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational activities, primarily centered around nearby Frenchman Lake. Activities include camping, fishing, swimming, boating, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Visitors also have access to the extensive road system in Plumas National Forest for exploration.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Water Sports

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Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

Rate Cottonwood (Ca)

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From Booking Sources

3.7

51 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Cottonwood (Ca) has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Cottonwood Springs Campground highlight its scenic beauty, well-maintained facilities, and quiet atmosphere. However, concerns include inconsistent water availability, lack of attention from camp hosts, and issues with noisy campers.

Review Summaries

Based on 51 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 51 reviews.

Site 016Loved
Site 016 received positive comments about cleanliness.
Site 007Mentioned
Site 007 was mentioned by a user as being affected by fire damage.
Site 019Issues noted
Site 019 was noted for having water supply issues while another on the same site described having a "good time."

What Campers Love

"Bathrooms were well taken care of" and "clean water available at many locations." The campground's proximity to Frenchman Lake and the shade provided by pine trees are frequently praised.

Based on 51 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include showers being out of order for years, noise violations going unenforced, and occasional issues with water availability. One user noted, "No showers have been fixed at this...

Based on 51 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring extra water and supplies, as water availability can be inconsistent. Consider driving to neighboring campgrounds for showers. For a quieter experience, avoid weekends when the campground tends...

Based on 51 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summers are generally busy with mixed reviews about noise and enforcement of quiet hours. Winter data is sparse, but no winter-specific activities are noted.

Based on 51 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice and quiet," said one reviewer. Another noted, "Great shade from the pine trees and the fire pits were clean." A user mentioned, "The camp hosts cannot control behavior, but these hosts did not...

Based on 51 reviews

Accessibility Features

An accessible fishing trail is available, but no other specific reviews address accessibility for campers with disabilities.

Based on 51 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Cottonwood (Ca)

$33.97 - $140.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-13758: $100.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-13759: $140.00; MANAGEMENT: $33.97; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $34.00. Plus...

Group Site Fee$140.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

408-489-3205 OFF SEASON / 530-832-1076 ON SEASONjames.bradeen@usda.gov

Go if

You want lake access with full amenities and don't mind occasional noise from neighboring campers.

Skip if

You need guaranteed quiet or can't tolerate intermittent water and restroom outages during peak season.

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Campgrounds

Cottonwood (Ca)

C-

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 2% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 36 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade B.Crowds & noise
Grade B.Bugs & weather
Grade B-.Cleanliness

Watch-outs

Grade F.Facilities
Grade D.Getting there
Grade D.Safety

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how California grades overall

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Cottonwood (Ca) sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

Cottonwood Springs Campground is located near  Frenchman Lake in mixed conifer and high desert vegetation. It has 20 family sites and two group sites. Several of the family sites are first come first served. Campsites do not have bear resistant locker - store all food, trash and scented items appropriately and be bear aware.Both group sites are available by reservation only. Group site 'D' has room for up to 50 campers and Group site 'B' room for 25.A glitch has resulted in difficulty for some in finding this campground on the reservation website. Once on the Recreation.gov website search for "Cottonwood (CA)" then choose the item that includes "Plumas National Forest".

About the campground

The elevation is 5,700 ft. The campground, a.k.a. Cottonwood Springs, has four loops - A, B, C, and D. One of five campgrounds in Frenchman Lake Recreation Area, it stretches out along a ravine and is 0.5 miles from Frenchman Lake. Loops B and D are group camping areas and not included in this survey (contact Ranger District Office for more information). Loop A has the longer, wider parking aprons and ample potable water spigots. Although Loop C has shorter parking aprons, it has the campground's only pull-throughs and ample shade from Jeffrey pine. There is no understory - privacy between campsites is poor to fair. Firewood is available for a fee.

Seasons & access

Open May 19 through September 5

Facilities

Frenchman Lake is 1,580 acres. Lunker Point boat ramp is 1.8 miles north of campground. Hiking: None Fishing: Rainbow and Cutthroat trout

Water activities

Frenchman Lake is 1,580 acres. Lunker Point boat ramp is 1.8 miles north of campground.

RV information

The RV waste station is available for a fee.

Directions

In Chilcoot, CA, at intersection of State Rts. 70 and 284 Frenchman Lake Rd.), take Rt. 284 north 9.9 miles to campground on right.

National Forest: Plumas National Forest
Ranger District: Beckwourth
Elevation: 5,700
Rate: $20 per day
Maximum Stay: 14

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