Cottonwood
Cottonwood Springs Campground (5,700) is located on the southwest side of Frenchman Lake. The surrounding pine forest provides ample shade during summers' hot afternoons. The lake, recreation area and surrounding forest and rangeland offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities and adventures. Two group sites provide families and other groups the location to get together for you special outdoor experience. Hunting, fishing, boating, water sports and nature viewing are just some of the possibilities.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 12 |
Site guide
14 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Group | Back-in | Paved | Full | 25 / 8 | Yes |
| D | Group | Back-in | Paved | Full | 50 / 8 | |
| 001 | Standard | Pull-through | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | ||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 67 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Site B is listed accessible |
Cottonwood Springs Campground has 20 single-family campsites available for both tent and RV camping. Need a location for your family or group get together? There are two reservation group sites here. Group site B can accommodate up to 25 guests and six vehicles and Group site D up to 50 guests and 12 vehicles. Lunker Point Boat Launch Facility is about two miles away. An RV dump station is just outside the campground. All sites are equipped with paved parking, tables, campfire rings and grills. The campground has paved roads, hosts, accessible flush toilets and drinking water are also provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Plumas National Forest |
| Booking | Sites can be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Call the Beckwourth Ranger District for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only |
| Rules | 14 day camping limit. 6 people per campsite, 12 people for double sites. 2 vehicles per campsite. OHV riding is not allowed. Store food, trash and scented items appropriately - Be Bear Aware |
Weather by month
Getting there
From 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.
| Coordinates | 39.8847° N, 120.2367° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 29.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Reliable RV ↗ | 41 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Verde Valley RV Resort/ Thousand Trails Cottonwood / Campground Review
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miAndesite Trail0.1 mi trail
- 2.9 miTrosi-Switzer1 mi trail
- 3 miFrenchman - Spring Cr Connect0.2 mi trail
- 3.3 miSpring Cr - Big Cove Connect0.8 mi trail
- 3.5 miBig Cove Enabler Trail0.1 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Plumas National Forest begins about 4.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.8 miPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
- 13.3 miTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
Frenchman Lake Recreation Area is located in the northeast corner of the Sierra Nevada. The area is characterized by a blending of desert and mountain ecosystems. For example, draught tolerant plants co-mingle with pine forest. There is less precipitation here than what areas to the west receive, more than areas to the east. Erosion and lava flows in the area tell the story of recent geologic activity.
Recreation
The nearby 1,580-acre Frenchman Lake provides ample opportunities for swimming, boating, water skiing, jet skiing and fishing. California sponsors two free fishing days every year, in April and September. There is also an accessible fishing trail within the campground. Public forest and range lands are open for you to visit. Plumas national Forest has an extensive road system for you to explore. Make sure you take a map, extra provisions dependable vehicle and plenty of fuel.
Nearby
Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area Sierra Valley - Largest valley in the Sierra Nevada Stores and services in the towns of Chilcoot and Loyalton Many forest roads to explore - take along a extra water, food, map, full tank and dependable vehicle.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cottonwood?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cottonwood?
Call the Beckwourth Ranger District for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cottonwood?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cottonwood open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cottonwood have?
26 sites, including 12 standard sites without power and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cottonwood?
The longest site here provides 67 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Cottonwood?
An RV dump station is just outside the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cottonwood?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cottonwood. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cottonwood?
Site B is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cottonwood?
The nearby 1,580-acre Frenchman Lake provides ample opportunities for swimming, boating, water skiing, jet skiing and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Cottonwood is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Frenchman (2.8 mi, partly first-come), Spring Creek (3.3 mi), and Big Cove (3.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby