Cottonwood Creek

Tahoe National Forest

Cottonwood Creek Campground is located on Highway 89, four miles south of Sierraville. Its location makes it a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

The campground offers several single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.

Need to Know

• Bears frequent the area; all food should be kept in approved containers.

• Off-road vehicle use is prohibited within the campground.

• Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Sierraville Ranger District (530) 994-3401 (voice), (530) 994-3521 (TDD).
• Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
• Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

• One vehicle included with reservation. Additional vehicle fee cost is $5/each per night for all vehicles. All operable, highway legal vehicles must pay extra vehicle fee, excluding the single vehicle included with the reservation. Please pay extra vehicle fee at the self-serve fee tube located near campground entrance if not paid online.

• Campsite check-out time is 12:00pm. Check-in time is 2:00pm.

• 6 people and 2 dogs maximum per single site. Dogs shall always be kept on leash no longer than six feet or otherwise confined. Violation notices WILL be issued for non-compliance. 

Natural Features

The campground sits along Cottonwood Creek, in a stand of Jeffrey pine, and red and white fir trees. The forest provides shade and privacy between sites, but noise from the highway can be heard within the campground.

Nearby Attractions

Lake Tahoe is located about 40 minutes from the campground. Scenic Tahoe offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities.

Sardine Lakes, within the beautiful Lakes Basin, is a 35-minute drive northwest of the campground, via the Golden Chain/Highway 49. Stampede Reservoir is a 45-minute drive southeast.

Recreation

Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail and Overlook Trail are both short, foot trails that begin in the campground. The surrounding area offers additional trails and fishing opportunities.

Contact Information

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SIERRAVILLE RANGER DISTRICT 317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89) PO BOX 95 SIERRAVILLE CA 96126

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 530-994-3401

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Truckee, travel north on Highway 80 to Highway 89 approximately 20 miles to the campground. From Sierraville, travel approximately 5 miles south on Hwy 89, the campground will be on the left side of the highway.

Available Campsites

• Site 035, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop COTTONWOOD CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric

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