Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Cottonwood (CA)
Plumas National Forest, California
About this campground
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.
Cottonwood Springs Campground (5,700) is located on the southwest side of Frenchman Lake.
Cottonwood Springs Campground has 20 single-family campsites available for both tent and RV camping.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.884722° N
- Longitude
- 120.236667° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
- Boat-inCommunity report
- Walk-inCommunity report
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
- Group sites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- ADA access
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Firewood availableCommunity report
- Trash serviceCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Sanitary dump
- Paved parking
- Paved roads
- Pull-through sites
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 67 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming Site
- Water Sports
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
- Hunting
- Scenic Drive
- Water Skiing
- Water Access
- Wildlife Viewing
Amenities and facility features
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Dump station
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Host
- Paved Parking
- Paved Roads
- Self Pay Station
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
12 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 56 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
12 sites- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific
- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 40 ft
- Check-in
- 0:00 AM, 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 0:00 AM, 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Group Standard Non-Electric
2 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 50
- Maximum vehicles
- 8
- Maximum vehicle length
- 67 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 1 flagged accessible
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Reservation cutoff
- 4 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 50 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 8 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM, 0:00 AM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 0:00 AM
- Food storage
- Cottonwood (CA)'s official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Plumas National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- Cottonwood (CA)'s official facility record states: All sites are equipped with paved parking, tables, campfire rings and grills.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Sep 27, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 23, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 23, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 28, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $140 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Management | $33.97 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $140 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $140 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Management | $33.97 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $140 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $140 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Management | $33.97 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $140 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Management | $34 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $34 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Off-road vehicles are prohibited in the campground.
- Generally, campsites will accommodate 2 vehicles. The first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle fee will be collected onsite at the daily rate posted on the fee sign.
- American the Beautiful, Senior Passes, and Access Passes are accepted for single campsites only. They are not accepted for double or group campsites.
- Click here to learn more about the Plumas National Forest.
- A variety of wildlife live in this area, including black bears. Before making a reservation, become aware of bear safety.
- Please go to the following link for more information: http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/BeBearAware/Hiking_and_Camping/hiking_and_camping.html
- Bear resistant lockers are not provided.
- The Showers are open for the camping season.
- Check- In is 2:00pm and Check-Out is Noon
- Campground Map
Getting there & contact
Official 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.
Facility contact
408-489-3205 OFF SEASON / 530-832-1076 ON SEASON