Cottonwood (Ca)

Campground · 14 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Plumas National Forest (NF) · Open Access

14
Bookable sites
67 ft
Max rig length
up to 50
People per site
1
Accessible site
6,078 ft
Elevation
COTTONWOOD (CA) Road
Photo: OIP · Recreation.gov

Overview

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.  

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

 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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575.

The facts

  • 14 bookable sites
  • 26 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 67 ft
  • Up to 50 people per site
  • Loops: AREA COTTONWOOD

Site types

  • 12 Management
  • 12 Standard Nonelectric
  • 2 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

26 campsites at Cottonwood (Ca)

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved—8 🐾
002AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft8 🐾
003AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
004AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
005AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved49 ft8 🐾
006AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved45 ft8 🐾
007AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
008AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricBack InPaved43 ft8 🐾
009AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
010AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
011AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
012AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
013AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved56 ft8 🐾
014AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
015AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
016AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved42 ft8 🐾
017AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
018AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
019AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved46 ft8 🐾
020AREA COTTONWOODStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved26 ft8 🐾
BAREA COTTONWOODGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPaved67 ft25♿ 🐾
DAREA COTTONWOODGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPaved61 ft50 🐾
XXXAREA COTTONWOODManagementBack InPaved40 ft8 🐾
XXX10AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
XXX11AREA COTTONWOODManagement————
XXX9AREA COTTONWOODManagement————

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.

39.88472, -120.23667 · 39°53'5.0"N 120°14'12.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in2.42.12.01.00.90.60.40.30.41.01.32.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

COTTONWOOD (CA) Lake View
Photo: OIP · Recreation.gov
COTTONWOOD (CA) Creek
Photo: OIP · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Cottonwood (Ca)

Can you reserve a site at Cottonwood (Ca)?
Yes, Cottonwood (Ca) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cottonwood (Ca) have?
26 sites in total, of which 14 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Cottonwood (Ca)?
67 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cottonwood (Ca)?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cottonwood (Ca).

Camping near Cottonwood (Ca)

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-08.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.