Cottonwood Campground
Cottonwood Campground is closest to the south entrance of the park.
Plan Around Cottonwood Campground
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Cottonwood Campground Details
Cottonwood Campground is closest to the south entrance of the park. There are 62 sites, available to both RVs and tent camping. There are no electrical hookups, but there is potable water available as well as flush toilets. The campground sits in the southern section of the park, and overlooks flat, open-desert shrub-land, as opposed to the rocky landscapes of the northern campgrounds. There are great opportunities for stargazing here, as it is further from the light pollution of the northern campgrounds, and the lower elevation means that desert wildflowers bloom here earlier than at other locations. Cottonwood is typically the last campground in the park to fill, so check for availability if other sites are full. Open: Year-round Sites: 62 Elevation: 3,000 feet Reservations: Not for regular campsites; reservations are needed for the three group campsites. Go to recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Cost: $20/night; $35-40 for group campsites depending on group size. Services include: Flush toilets, BBQ grills, picnic shelters and fire rings, RV-accessible potable water and a dump station. Some sites are accessible, as is the amphitheater which has a wheelchair ramp from Loop A. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m to 6:00 a.m, and generator use is permitted only from 7:00-9:00 a.m., 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Difficulty
Low
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Nearby Parks Around Cottonwood Campground
Compare nearby parks around Cottonwood Campground when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Cottonwood Campground
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Cottonwood Campground while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Cottonwood Picnic Area
The shady Cottonwood Spring picnic area is located at the Cottonwood Spring Campground.
0.6 mi away
Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail
The Cottonwood Spring Oasis, seven miles from the southern entrance to the park, was used for centuries by the Cahuilla Native Americans.
0.6 mi away
Lost Palms Oasis
The hike to Lost Palms Oasis begins at a smaller oasis, Cottonwood Springs, right at the trailhead.
0.6 mi away
Lost Palms Oasis Trail
The hike to Lost Palms Oasis begins at a smaller oasis, Cottonwood Springs, right at the trailhead.
0.6 mi away
Cottonwood Spring Oasis
Seven miles from the southern entrance of the park, Cottonwood Spring Oasis offers plentiful day-use activities as well as nearby camping.
