CampgroundsDB

Cottonwood Pit

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

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Mitchell, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest

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

Cottonwood Pit swimming hole: The campground sits in an old gravel pit that filled with groundwater; it is now a local swimming hole, occasionally stocked with trout. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

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

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

What's there

  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Rules

Stay limit
14 days

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

Access and cell service

Elevation
5,631 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE
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.

44.3677, -119.8706 in Wheeler. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Cottonwood Pit?
No. Cottonwood Pit 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 Pit?
Camping at Cottonwood Pit is free.
Is there drinking water at Cottonwood Pit?
No. Cottonwood Pit has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
How long can you stay at Cottonwood Pit?
The stay limit at Cottonwood Pit is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Cottonwood Pit?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T and Verizon at Cottonwood Pit. 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.
Who manages Cottonwood Pit?
Cottonwood Pit is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Cottonwood Pit

First-come Cottonwood Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Big Spring Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Barnhouse 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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