Cottonwood Campground, near Naches, Washington, is a cozy spot tucked away in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. It’s a small campground that offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

The sites here are known for their privacy, with many nestled among lush greenery and some even offering river access. Campers have mentioned that the sound of the river adds a soothing backdrop to their stay, making it a great place to unwind after a day of exploring. While there are no electric hookups or showers, visitors appreciate the basic amenities like drinking water and pit toilets.

For outdoor adventurers, Cottonwood serves as a solid basecamp for exploring the stunning Cascade Mountains. You can easily access nearby trails and peaks, with Horseshoe Basin being a popular recommendation. Just be prepared for some pesky flies in the summer months! 

If you’re passing through or just want a quiet spot to camp for a night or two, Cottonwood Campground is worth considering. It’s a charming little place where you can enjoy nature without the distractions of modern life.

## Overview

 Cottonwood Campground is located along the Naches River in the Northern Cascade Range of Washington. Craggy peaks, mountain meadows and old-growth forests provide visitors with unique landscapes within the Okanogan National Forest. Warm summer days and access to a multitude of recreational activities make it an ideal setting for both individual and family camping excursions.
## Recreation

 Cottonwood Campground offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to fish, swim, hike and enjoy a multitude of recreational activities throughout the year. Numerous hiking trails can be accessed near the campground and in the surrounding area. Nearby American Ridge Trail, open to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders, extends over 26 miles from Bumping River to the notable Pacific Crest Trail. Visitors enjoy whitewater rafting on the nearby American River or splashing around in Naches River, which can be accessed from the campground.
## Natural Features

 The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest's high, glaciated alpine peaks tower along the Cascade Crest. Lush valleys of old-growth forest define its western boundary, and at its eastern edge, rugged shrub-steppe country comprises a more arid region. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. The Naches River, adjacent to Cottonwood Campground, is a tributary of the Yakima River in central Washington. In its upper reaches, the Naches River flows through rugged terrain and areas of pristine wilderness. The river was used by Native Americans and settlers throughout history. It has served as a natural corridor between the east and west sides of the Cascades via Naches Pass. 
## Contact Info

 This location has limited staffing. Please call (661) 702-1420 for general information. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Boulder Cave National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular places in the Naches District. Visitors can walk the accessible trail along the river or explore Boulder Cave. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the geology, plants, animals and fire history of the area. In the fall, thousands of people come to experience whitewater rafting on both the Tieton and American Rivers.
## Charges & Cancellations

 Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Cottonwood Campground (WA)

Goose Prairie is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Goose Prairie. Discover great camping spots near Goose Prairie, reviewed by campers like you.

Goose Prairie

The Best Camping Near Goose Prairie, Washington

The sites along the river have good privacy, river access, and the sound of the river drowns out the sound of the nearby road as well as other campers. The bathrooms could have been cleaner but about as expected for a vault toilet.

Pick a Riverside Site

The Cascades have so many peaks to climb, glaciers to see, and shorter trails. But you have to get deep into the backcountry before you have access to most of them. Cottonwood is a great place to set up camp for a few nights while you spend the days exploring. I recommend seeing horseshoe basin, and if you’re here in the summer, jump in the river! In the hot months, flies can get pretty bad. (Video is from nearby horseshoe basin) 

Good Basecamp spot

We stayed here one night while passing through. It is in a great location near Mt Rainier for a fraction of the price of closer campgrounds. It was very small, but very lush between sites which made it extremely private. Some spots are right on the river, but don't expect to lounge by it in your chair. There is only a short narrow opening and the riverbank is lush and rocky. We picked the spot at the very end on the roundabout (can't remember the number) and it was extremely private. Was very nice to hear the river throughout the night! Recommend for a night or two, but a bit cramped for anything more. Halfway-roughing it camping. There is a pit toilet, main shared water spigot, and dumpsters. 

Great Spot for a Night Passing Through

Loved how quiet and small this campground is, and how much privacy the sites have. Many of the sites have river access, which was lovely in the heat. Downsides - water is close to the entrance, so a bit of a haul, no cell service, and there wasn’t as much around as we expected (no trails from the campground, etc). We had hope to do the Boulder Cave Trail, but they recently switched to reservation-only and you can’t reserve day-of. 

Photos of Cottonwood Campground (WA)

Real photos from real campers