Cottonwood Creek

Star4.04
122 reviews
317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126, USA

Quick Facts

5,689 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

48 campsites

Season

Open from May 23, 20...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Tahoe National Forest site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Cottonwood Creek
$20.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard nightly rate for campsites is $20 per site during peak season. Additional fees include a $5 charge per extra vehicle per night beyond the...
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Standard Site Fee$20.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
530-994-3401
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What Campers Say

4.04

Satisfactory

Based on 122 reviews

37 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshadespaciouswell-maintained

Some mention

noise

"User reviews for Cottonwood Creek Campground are mixed. Positive feedback highlights the campground's quiet atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, and proximity to trails. Negative reviews cite issues such as unpleasant smells from vault toilets, limited privacy in certain sites, and noise from the nearby highway."

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Campground Map

317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126, USA

Cottonwood Creek

317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126, USA

Driving directionsFrom Truckee, travel north on Highway 80 to Highway 89 approximately 20 miles to the campground. From Sierraville, travel approximately 5 miles south on Hwy 89, the campground will be on the left side of the highway.
The campground has direct access from Highway 89, which is paved and accessible year-round. The road conditions are generally good, but travelers should exercise caution when crossing Highway 89 due to fast-moving traffic and thick tree cover obscuring visibility.
Nearby places
Truckee (approximately 20 miles north), Sierraville (5 miles south), Lake Tahoe (approximately 40 minutes southeast).
Nearby supplies
Sierraville has a small gas station and market. The Fork & Horn restaurant is also nearby for dining options.

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Creek

Experience the full spectrum of Sierra seasons at Cottonwood Creek, where summer days bask in golden sunshine with temperatures climbing to a toasty 95°F—perfect for afternoon hikes followed by cool evening campfires. As autumn paints the forest in brilliant hues, temperatures begin their descent, leading to pristine winter wonderlands blanketed in snow. While winter's beauty transforms the landscape into a magical frozen forest, accessibility becomes limited, making spring through fall the prime seasons for camping adventures.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Open in summer; users report hot days (to ~95°F) and mosquitoes but good trail access.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall likely excellent: cooler weather, fewer bugs, scenic foliage and quieter trails.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Open late May; Botanical Trail and spring growth likely pleasant, early spring often closed.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is closed in winter (off-season).

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 23, 2025 - October 12, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from May 23, 2025, to October 12, 2025. Reservations can be made starting June 22, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Potential fire restrictions and bear activity warnings are in effect. Campers should contact the Sierraville Ranger District for updates.

About Cottonwood Creek

Tucked away along the scenic Highway 89, Cottonwood Creek Campground offers a peaceful retreat beneath towering Jeffrey pines and fragrant fir trees. This 48-site haven invites adventurers to explore right from their doorstep, with the enchanting Botanical Trail and panoramic Overlook Trail beckoning just steps away. Each campsite comes complete with its own picnic table and campfire ring, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. While the gentle hum of Highway 89 provides a reminder of civilization, the varying levels of seclusion between sites allow campers to choose their ideal balance of accessibility and privacy.
Cottonwood Creek Campground provides several types of camping accommodations, including spaces for tents and RVs. It is a primitive campground with no utilities or hookups available. Group sites and cabins are not mentioned.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay is 14 nights per year.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and biking. It is also a good base camp for fishing and hunting. Two trails, the Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail and Overlook Trail, begin within the campground. Nearby attractions, such as Lake Tahoe and Sardine Lakes, offer additional outdoor opportunities.
HikingTwo trails, the Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail and Overlook Trail, are accessible directly from the campground. The Overlook Trail offers scenic views, and one user described it as a "strenuous uphill hike but a good one." Another mentioned, "We really liked the hike to the Overlook, about 45 minutes ascent... rewarded with some amazing views."
FishingFishing opportunities are available in the surrounding area, though specific details of fishing spots or types of fish are not provided.
BikingBiking is listed as one of the available activities, but detailed information about biking trails is not provided.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a noted activity. One user mentioned seeing chipmunks and ground squirrels within the campground.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBears frequent the campground, and campers must store food in vehicles. Mosquitoes and other insects like black bees may be present.
Active AlertsPotential fire restrictions and bear activity warnings are in effect. Campers should contact the Sierraville Ranger District for updates.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Cottonwood Creek

Reviews

4.0
122 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Cottonwood Creek is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Cottonwood Creek Campground are mixed. Positive feedback highlights the campground's quiet atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, and proximity to trails. Negative reviews cite issues such as unpleasant smells from vault toilets, limited privacy in certain sites, and noise from the nearby highway.
Review Summaries
Based on 122 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the "well-maintained vault toilets," "spacious and shaded sites," and "helpful camp hosts." Many commend the scenic trails and the general tranquility of the campground. A user...
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Based on 122 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the unpleasant smell of vault toilets, noise from the nearby highway, and lack of privacy in some sites. Reviews like "Bathrooms smell so bad you cannot even go into them"...
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Based on 122 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend choosing sites on the outer loop for more privacy, avoiding sites near the vault toilets due to odor, and bringing all necessary supplies, as there is no camp store. One user...
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Based on 122 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews frequently mention mosquitoes and high temperatures. Weekdays see fewer visitors, making the campground quieter. Multiple users note that noise from Highway 89 subsides at night.
Based on 122 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "We always look forward to our time at Cottonwood Creek!" - Stacey C. 2. "The sites on the outside of the loops are all backed up to the woods and spaced out plenty. The inner loop campsites don't...
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Based on 122 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #4: Avoid due to proximity to vault toilets and associated odor. Site #39: Not recommended for RVs due to limited space. Site #17: Praised for its shade and proximity to trails.
Based on 122 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not explicitly reviewed, but some users mention steep slopes and narrow pads, which may pose challenges for individuals with mobility issues.
Based on 122 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and users appreciate the pet-friendly policy. Dogs must be leashed, as emphasized in the rules.
Based on 122 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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