Cottonwood (Ca)

Star3.83
51 reviews

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$30 - $140/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open May 23, 2025, r...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Plumas 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 (Ca)
$30.00 - $140.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Individual sites are $34 during peak season and $30 during first-come, first-served season. Group sites are $100-$140 depending on capacity....
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Standard Site Fee$34.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$140.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
530-832-1076jackjodyparker@yahoo.com
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What Campers Say

3.83

Mixed Reviews

Based on 51 reviews

27 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshadelocationwater

Some mention

noise

"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."

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Campground Map

Cottonwood (Ca)

39.8847, -120.2367

Driving directionsFrom Reno, Nevada, travel north on Highway 395, then merge onto Highway 70 west and travel 5 miles to Chilcoot. Turn north on Highway 284 and continue for 8 miles to the Frenchman Lake Reservoir, then turn left before crossing the dam and travel 2.5 miles to the Cottonwood Campground.
The campground is accessible primarily via paved roads. Highway 284 leads directly to Frenchman Lake Reservoir, and the campground is reached by turning left before crossing the dam and driving 2.5 miles. No mentions of seasonal closures or challenging terrain were provided.
Nearby places
Chilcoot (8 miles) and Loyalton (distance unspecified).
Nearby supplies
The towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton offer stores and services, including Goodwin's General Store in Chilcoot, which sells groceries, camping supplies, gas, and has a coffee/bakery shop.

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood (Ca)

From late spring through the golden days of summer, Cottonwood Springs transforms into an outdoor paradise. May through August brings seemingly endless blue skies and perfectly dry conditions that make every day ideal for adventure. While the transitional seasons can surprise visitors with crisp, freezing temperatures during certain weeks, the moderate climate creates a refreshing escape from valley heat. The dry mountain air and clear skies offer spectacular stargazing opportunities, making summer nights as memorable as the sun-drenched days.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Aug: dry blue skies and many activities (boating, fishing); but crowded/noise reported.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open early Sept (first-come); likely quieter with pleasant late-season conditions and lake access.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Late spring (after May 23) offers dry conditions and wildflowers; earlier spring likely colder and limited access.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is seasonal (open late May–Aug/early Sept); winter is effectively closed and data is sparse.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 23, 2025 - August 31, 2025 (Peak Season).. 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.
  • Current Alerts: No emergency warnings were mentioned.

About Cottonwood (Ca)

Nestled along the picturesque southwest shore of Frenchman Lake, Cottonwood Springs Campground invites you to experience the perfect blend of comfort and wilderness. With 20 thoughtfully designed single-family campsites welcoming both tent enthusiasts and RV adventurers, this hidden gem offers something for everyone. Two spacious group sites can host your family reunions or outdoor gatherings, comfortably accommodating up to 50 guests and 12 vehicles. Each site features paved parking for easy access, sturdy picnic tables for memorable meals under the stars, and campfire rings with grills where stories and s'mores come to life. Modern amenities including accessible flush toilets and fresh drinking water ensure your wilderness escape doesn't mean roughing it.
Cottonwood Springs Campground accommodates a wide range of camping preferences, with facilities for tent and RV camping, as well as group sites.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Group Sites

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.
HikingHiking opportunities include trails near Frenchman Lake, and within the campground itself, there is an accessible fishing trail. One user noted enjoying a hike to the lake, which is approximately half a mile away from the campsite.
FishingFishing is a prominent activity, with an accessible fishing trail available on-site. Frenchman Lake supports a variety of fish species and is popular among anglers.
SwimmingSwimming is available at Frenchman Lake, though no specific designated swimming areas within the campground are mentioned.
BoatingBoating activities such as water skiing and jet skiing are popular at Frenchman Lake, which spans 1,580 acres. The Lunker Point Boat Launch Facility is located two miles from the campground.
Wildlife viewingThe campground and surrounding areas offer opportunities for wildlife viewing. The area is home to diverse ecosystems with drought-tolerant plants coexisting with pine forests.
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBlack bears inhabit the area, and campers are advised to be bear-aware. Fire damage near the entrance of the campground is visible.
Active AlertsNo emergency warnings were mentioned.

Weather at Cottonwood (Ca)

Reviews

3.8
51 reviews
Mixed 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

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...
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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...
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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...
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Based on 51 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 007 was mentioned by a user as being affected by fire damage. Site 016 received positive comments about cleanliness. Site 019 was noted for having water supply issues while another on the same...
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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

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews about pet-related policies or experiences are available.
Based on 51 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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