Cottonwood (Ca)

Plumas National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking

Location: Portola Valley, CA, CA

Price: From $34 per night

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 (18 reviews)

Season: May through October

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.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cottonwood-ca to be notified when sites open up.

Cottonwood Springs offers 14 sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and flush toilets on the southwest side of Frenchman Lake at 5,700 feet elevation. Campers praise the abundant pine shade, clean facilities, and level RV parking with nearby dump station ($7).

Wildlife alert: Mule deer, Brewer's Blackbird, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Flicker, Western Tanager, gopher snake, and Western Fence Lizard documented within 8km.

Insider tips for Cottonwood (Ca): Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand RV dump station costs $7 and is located next to the entrance Hot water showers available for a fee Gather abundant dry wood around the campground for fires

Skip Cottonwood (Ca) if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You visit outside May-October — campground operates seasonally. You need shower facilities without fees — showers require payment.

Best time to visit Cottonwood (Ca): May-October — Official operating season; pine forest provides shade during hot summers.

Nearby campgrounds: Spring Creek (BLAIRSDEN, CA), Chilcoot (Portola Valley, CA), Crocker Campground (Beckwourth, CA), Ayers Creek Retreat (Portola, CA).