Campsite for booking · Portola

Cottonwood (Ca)

via Recreation.gov Portola, California, United States

Overview

Pitches
14
Pitch types
caravan, motorhome, tent
Season
Not stated: check on Recreation.gov
Check-in / out
14:00 / 12:00

Facilities

  • Dogs allowedListed by Recreation.gov
  • Hardstanding pitchesListed by Recreation.gov
  • Wheelchair accessibleListed by Recreation.gov

Policies

PetsYes
SmokingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
Instant bookingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
CancellationNot stated: check on Recreation.gov

About this campsite

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.

Managed by a US federal agency. Data source: ridb.recreation.gov.

Description supplied by Recreation.gov.

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Where you can stay nearby

Campsites, aires and parking within 30 km, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. Cottonwood Springs
    Campground · Portola, California
    2.4 km from the pick-up area
  2. Frenchman lake campground
    Campground · Portola, California
    4.7 km from the pick-up area
  3. Spring Creek
    Campground · Portola, California
    5.1 km from the pick-up area
  4. Big Cove
    Campground · Portola, California
    5.7 km from the pick-up area
  5. Chilcoot Campground
    Campground · Cold Springs, Nevada
    6.4 km from the pick-up area

Nearest dump station and water

  1. Service point near Verdi
    RV dump station · Verdi, Nevada · PaidWaste
    47 km from the pick-up area
  2. Water point near Truckee
    Water fill station · Truckee, CaliforniaWater
    72 km from the pick-up area
Pick-up10 kmPlot of OpenStreetMap data
Map of 6 places to stay near Cottonwood (Ca). CampsiteFull map

Similar campsites nearby

Frenchman

Blairsden, CA, California · 4.6 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Spring Creek

Blairsden, CA, California · 5.3 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
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Chilcoot

Cold Springs, Nevada · 6.4 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Data: Recreation.gov (RIDB), from ridb.recreation.gov, last updated 13 October 2026. Federal agencies provide this data and are responsible for it; it may be incomplete. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or the U.S. Government. About this data. Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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