CampgroundsDB

Cottonwood Recreation Area

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping costs Single Site: $6 per night, and it is open from May 15 to October 15. Cottonwood Recreation Area is a National Forest campground near Lakeview, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Lakeview, Oregon

Cottonwood Meadow Lake, beside the campgroundCottonwood Meadow Lake
Cottonwood Meadow Lake, beside the campgroundCottonwood Meadow Lake1 / 2

Cottonwood Meadow Lake, beside the campground. Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, CC BY 4.0

Managed by
National Forest

Cottonwood Recreation Area sits inside Fremont-Winema National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Cottonwood Meadow Lake: A lake stocked with rainbow and brook trout, with two day-use areas and a boat launch; only non-motorized and electric-motor boats are allowed. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Single Site: $6 per night

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Walk-in sites
4
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Potable water
  • ✓ Fire rings

On site: Toilets, potable water, and fire rings.

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
14 days; 28 days total per calendar year
Campground host
On site

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
6,130 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
T-Mobile
No coverage mapped
Verizon
4G LTE
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

42.2803, -120.6468 in Lake. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Cottonwood Recreation Area is open from May 15 to October 15 , at 6,130 ft.

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Cottonwood Recreation Area?
No. Cottonwood Recreation Area is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Cottonwood Recreation Area?
Camping at Cottonwood Recreation Area costs Single Site: $6 per night.
How many campsites does Cottonwood Recreation Area have?
Cottonwood Recreation Area has 4 walk-in sites.
Is there drinking water at Cottonwood Recreation Area?
Yes, Cottonwood Recreation Area has potable water. It also has toilets.
When is Cottonwood Recreation Area open?
Cottonwood Recreation Area is open from May 15 to October 15.
How long can you stay at Cottonwood Recreation Area?
The stay limit at Cottonwood Recreation Area is 14 days; 28 days total per calendar year.
Is there cell service at Cottonwood Recreation Area?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T and Verizon and 5G from AT&T at Cottonwood Recreation Area. It shows none from T-Mobile. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Is there a campground host at Cottonwood Recreation Area?
Yes, Cottonwood Recreation Area has a campground host on site.
Who manages Cottonwood Recreation Area?
Cottonwood Recreation Area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Cottonwood Recreation Area

First-come Lofton Reservoir Bly · National Forest Season Year-round Fee Single Site: $6 per night; additional vehicle $2 per night First-come Holbrook Reservoir Bly · National Forest Season May 15 to October 15 Fee Free First-come Drews Creek Lakeview · National Forest Season May 15 to October 15 Fee Free First-come Dairy Point Paisley · National Forest Season May 15 to October 15 Fee Free

More campgrounds: camping near Lakeview and campgrounds in Lake.

Sources

Photo credits

First-come, first-served Single Site: $6 per night
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