CampgroundsDB

Cottonwood

Its 18 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping costs $10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days, $60 per year (day use/overnight pass). Cottonwood is a National Forest campground near Nephi, Utah.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Nephi, Utah

Managed by
National Forest
Access road
Gravel

Cottonwood sits inside Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits right at the edge of Mount Nebo Wilderness; its permit and camping rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Nebo Loop Scenic Byway: The campground is 8 miles from Nephi on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, beside a stream; Salt Creek, Red Creek, Pole Creek and Jenkins Flat Pond are nearby for fishing.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
$10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days, $60 per year (day use/overnight pass)

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Total sites
18
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

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

Rules

Stay limit
7 days

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

Access and cell service

Access road
Gravel
Elevation
6,513 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage mapped
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
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.

39.7799, -111.7242 in Juab. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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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 costs $10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days, $60 per year (day use/overnight pass).
How many campsites does Cottonwood have?
Cottonwood has 18 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 7 days.
Is there cell service at Cottonwood?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but T-Mobile shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.4 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 AT&T 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

fishypedia.com · 19 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Salem Pond, whose mapped center point is 19 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Salem Pond fishing on fishypedia.com.

Swimming nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest swimming hole to Cottonwood, in a straight line: Three Forks (swimming hole, 29 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Bear Canyon Nephi · National Forest Season Not on record Fee From $91.78 per group site per night (Recreation.gov listing); extra vehicle $10 per day Reservable Ponderosa Nephi · National Forest Season April 17 to October 18 Fee From $25.84 per night (Recreation.gov listing); extra vehicle $10 per day Reservable Tinney Flat Santaquin · National Forest Season Not on record Fee From $25.68 per night (Recreation.gov listing); extra vehicle $10 per day Reservable Blackhawk Payson · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Not on record

More campgrounds: camping near Nephi and campgrounds in Juab.

Sources

First-come, first-served $10 per vehicle for 3 days, $20 for 7 days, $60 per year (day use/overnight pass)
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