Cottonwood (Ca)

Show on map 408-489-3205 OFF SEASON / 530-832-1076 ON SEASON james.bradeen@usda.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.

Camp site features

Across 14 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 14 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 14 sites
Group sites: 2 of 14 sites
Longest RV: 67 ft
Largest party: 50 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 19.5 mi · Bordertown RV Resort

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

30 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

CANDY C

Loop:Area Cottonwood

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Great campground, spacious sites, clean bathrooms with flush toilets, Steven the camp host is great, he always greets us and make sure everything is ok. The only disappointing thing is the showers have not been fixed yet and they have been broken 4+ years, hopefully they will be working next year.

Chris W

Loop:Area Cottonwood

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Showers are still broken, lots of maint. equipment left out around main bathroom. Camp host is great but needs the support of Maint. to fix the utilities.

Amber B

Loop:Area Cottonwood

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

We loved our stay and the camp host was great. We stay at the other frenchman campgrounds multiple times a year and love it up there.

Danelle C

Loop:Area Cottonwood

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Campgrounds very clean. Bathrooms very clean. It would be nice if the showers would get fixed. Steve is an awesome host!

Joel R

Loop:Area Cottonwood

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Frenchman’s lake and Plumas National forest is a great place to explore and camp. The campgrounds are a joke they charge $34 a night. The showers have been broken for 3 years, half of the bathrooms are out of order and have been since last year. If you’re not going to fix it quit charging for it. Other than the facilities had a great time.

Jorge T

Loop:Area Cottonwood

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

My daughter and I had a great time. Even though it was completely full it was still quiet at night during sleep time. The host I believe his name is Steven was very helpful and let us know he was available if we needed anything. Thanks

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve