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Plumas/Cottonwood Springs
Overview
Plumas/Cottonwood Springs offers a serene escape nestled in the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This destination serves as a tranquil base for travelers looking to explore the rugged beauty of Plumas County. With a landscape that blends high-desert terrain and mountain vistas, the park provides a refreshing alternative to the busier tourist hubs in Northern California, emphasizing a peaceful atmosphere for all visitors who want to reconnect with nature.
Location & Surroundings
Located in the small community of Chilcoot, CA, the park is surrounded by the expansive Plumas National Forest. The geographic location is ideal for those who enjoy wide-open skies and crisp mountain air. Just a short drive away, you will find the sparkling waters of Frenchman Lake, a local treasure known for its stunning shoreline and dramatic volcanic rock formations that define the unique geology of this specific mountain region.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility is well-equipped to handle modern travelers, offering full hookup sites that accommodate various rig sizes. Guests can enjoy the convenience of on-site laundry facilities and clean restroom blocks. The park often features community-focused amenities like a clubhouse and seasonal recreational areas, ensuring a comfortable stay. The spacious layout is designed for easy navigation, making it a reliable choice for big-rig owners seeking a hassle-free setup and a quiet place to park.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do, as the area is a prime spot for trout fishing and boating at nearby reservoirs. For a bit of local history, the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola is just a short trip to the west. Hikers and mountain bikers can explore miles of trails within the national forest, while those seeking a day in the city can easily reach the vibrant entertainment and dining options in Reno, Nevada, which is less than an hour away.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and retirees looking for a quiet, long-term stay or a relaxing weekend getaway. It appeals to families who prefer self-contained recreation and appreciate a slower pace of life. If you are a traveler who values scenic solitude and easy access to alpine lakes without the heavy crowds often found in Lake Tahoe, this Sierra Nevada destination fits your travel style perfectly.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Margaret McCarty
We visited this campground for 3 nights. Thurs - Sunday. If you have a trailer or RV, this is a good place. Long, level driveways to park. If you are car camping you have plenty of room for 2+ cars. We paid $110 for 3 nights. A couple of issues there would make me think again before returning. There are flush toilets & running water in little bathroom buildings, which is great, however the toilets constantly have issues, so are not accessible (Out of Order). If you are tent camping this presents quite an issue. The current (Summer 2024) camp 'hosts' are kind of useless. After a quiet Thurs. night camping, several groups arrived at the sites near us. Fri night they were up & drunk until 2:00 am shouting and cussing and fighting with each other. The camp "hosts" never drove around before, at, or after the "quiet time" of 10:00 pm. Not once. So the obnoxious campers had free reign. We were in a tent, awake, hearing every single word. It was awful. The next (Sat.) early evening, one of the sites started playing their music super loud. In anticipation of another sleepless night 2 of us went to the camp hosts' trailer and spoke w/ them about the issues of the previous night and the current loud music, and asked them to please come around the sites at "quiet time" to reinforce the campground rules. They did drive down to those peoples' site and get them to turn down the loud music right after we asked. That was it. Again, night fell and no camp hosts. Voices were loud, and the more they drank the louder they got. Another sleepless night. I understand the camp hosts cannot control behavior, but these hosts did not even try. Very disappointing. The highlight of the trip up to Frenchman's Lake was our stops in Chilcoot at Goodwin's General Store. What a great place. They have EVERYTHING you might need or forgot at home + gas. There is a coffee/bakery shop in the back. Best cinnamon rolls ever ! There is hot food up front, as well as groceries + ice & literally everything you might need. We drove in from the Campground on Saturday and got ice cream from the 'Chilcoot Frosty' across the street. It is only a 10-15 min drive from the campground. Great place. You should definitely stop in.
Eric Metzger
Great campsite. Plenty of clean dry wood around to gather for fires. Bathrooms were well taken care of. Clean water available at many locations. No showers have been fixed at this site yet. You will need to go to Big Cove and pay Ranger $3 for shower, but it's worth it. Look out for the male ranger, he cussed me out for parking in another campsite, only scoping out future camp sites. For five minutes, I received a lot of inconsiderate and vulgar behavior as a paying customer. Female ranger was very nice and polite when it came to enforcing rules at the campsite. Have fun!
Stephanie Stephens
This campground probably got hit the hardest at Frenchmen Lake by last year's wildfires. However, there's still beauty here.
Cindy Hawks
My favorite campground.
Parker Humphries
Great spot. Only half a mile walk to the water