Cottonwood Springs sits in the transition zone where mixed conifer forest meets high desert, creating a campground with more personality than your typical lakeside spot. The proximity to Frenchman Lake draws families and anglers, but the setting feels more remote than developed. With a mix of reservable and first-come sites, it works for planners and spontaneous types alike.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 22
- 💵Fee per Night
- $34
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 39.66885, -120.66108
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
Amenities
The Camp
Twenty-two sites spread through mixed conifer and high desert vegetation give Cottonwood Springs a different feel from purely forested campgrounds. The vegetation mix means you get shade without the closed-in feeling of dense woods. Twenty family sites handle the standard camping crowd, while two group sites accommodate larger gatherings — one for up to 50 people, the other for 25.
Sites lack bear-resistant lockers, so proper food storage becomes your responsibility. This isn't just a suggestion near Frenchman Lake; it's essential backcountry practice that keeps both you and the bears safer.
What to Know
Several family sites operate first-come, first-served, which means showing up early on Friday can still land you a weekend spot when reservations are booked solid. Both group sites require reservations — no walk-up availability there.
The $34 nightly fee puts this in the higher tier for Forest Service campgrounds, but you're paying for flush toilets and the Frenchman Lake location. That's either worth it or it isn't, depending on how much you value not digging catholes.
The mixed vegetation and proximity to water typically mean buggy conditions during peak season, particularly evenings and early mornings. Plan accordingly with repellent and long sleeves.