CampgroundsDB

Cottonwood

Its 7 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Cottonwood is a National Forest campground near Mitchell, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Mitchell, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest

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

Historic Summit Trail: A primitive camp near Rock Creek and the route of the Historic Summit Trail; a water-filled former gravel pit nearby is used for summer swimming. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

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

Sites and hookups

Total sites
7
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

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

Rules

Stay limit
14 days

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

Access and cell service

Elevation
5,729 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage mapped
Verizon
No coverage mapped
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.

44.3889, -119.8551 in Wheeler. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Cottonwood?
No. Cottonwood 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?
Camping at Cottonwood is free.
How many campsites does Cottonwood have?
Cottonwood has 7 campsites.
Is there drinking water at Cottonwood?
No. Cottonwood has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
How long can you stay at Cottonwood?
The stay limit at Cottonwood is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Cottonwood?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but AT&T shows 4G LTE about 0.3 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at Cottonwood itself, and nothing from T-Mobile or Verizon 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.
Who manages Cottonwood?
Cottonwood is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Cottonwood

First-come Cottonwood Pit Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Barnhouse Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Big Spring Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Wolf Creek Paulina · National Forest Season Mid-May to October Fee Single Site: $6 per night; additional vehicle $3 per night

More campgrounds: camping near Mitchell and campgrounds in Wheeler.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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