Cold Creek sits in a meadow alongside Highway 89, split between shaded Jeffrey pine and white fir on one side and creekside cottonwoods and aspens on the other. It's built for tent campers and small rigs — large RVs can't navigate the turnaround. The location puts you 35 minutes from Lake Tahoe and the same distance from the Lakes Basin, making it a solid basecamp for Sierra Nevada exploring.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Primitive
- 💵Fee per Night
- $16
- 📍GPS
- 39.54278, -120.31472
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- (530) 994-3401
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground straddles two environments: half the sites nestle under Jeffrey pine and white fir, while the other half spread closer to Cold Creek among cottonwoods, willows, and aspens. Each site comes with a picnic table and fire ring, plus vault toilets serve the campground. A couple of walk-in sites share a small parking area at the back of the facility.
The meadow setting between the creek and highway keeps things open, though you'll hear road noise from Highway 89. Cold Creek itself offers rainbow trout fishing and swimming opportunities right from camp.
What to Know
This is tent and small camper territory. The campground specifically warns that large RVs won't be able to make the exit turnaround, so check your rig size before heading up. The facility sits 4.5 miles south of Sierraville on Highway 89, making access straightforward.
Lake Tahoe Hospitality LLC operates the campground for the Tahoe National Forest. At $16 per night, it's reasonably priced for the Sierra Nevada region.
Nearby
Lake Tahoe sits 35 minutes away with its full menu of boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and scenic drives. Northwest via Highway 49, you can reach the Lakes Basin and Sardine Lakes in the same 35-minute drive. Stampede Reservoir lies 45 minutes southeast for additional water recreation.
Two trails launch from nearby Cottonwood Creek Campground: the Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail and Overlook Trail. The positioning along Highway 89 puts you in good range for fishing, hunting, hiking, and biking throughout the area.