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Facilities

Established Camping

Cottonwood Springs Campground

Cottonwood Springs Campground is located in Plumas National Forest near Beckwourth, CA. The area features forested terrain with elevations that can influence temperature variations, with highs reaching around 85°F in summer and lows dropping to 20°F in winter. Visitors can explore nearby attractions such as Lake Davis and the scenic trails of the forest.

Description

National Park

Plumas National Forest

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.

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.

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Location

Cottonwood Springs Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

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.

Coordinates

39.8847222 N
120.2366667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Poor
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

1 Review

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2019

Relaxing and quiet

Had a great camping trip! Sites are spread out enough that you aren’t on top of each other. Lots of trees for shade and areas for the kids to play around. Just a short drive to the boat launch too!

  • Review photo of Cottonwood Springs Campground by Stephen S., June 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Cottonwood Springs Campground by Stephen S., June 25, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Cottonwood Springs Campground?

    Cottonwood Springs Campground allows vehicles up to 67 feet.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Cottonwood Springs Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Cottonwood Springs Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Cottonwood Springs Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Cottonwood Springs Campground?

    There are 26 campsites at Cottonwood Springs Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts