Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground
Closed — Closed for winter. Scheduled to close for the 2025 season on October 26. Typically operates late May through mid-October, weather dependent.
Stay Limits, Parking, and Developed Recreation Site Use
This forest order was put in place to protect natural resources and promote public safety.
Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project
www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/projects/reds-meadow-road-reconstruction
Wilderness Use Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the portions of the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Hoover, and Golden Trout Wildernesses located in the Inyo National Forest.
Mount Whitney Zone Access Restrictions
This forest order prohibits recreating in the Mount Whitney Zone to provide for public safety and protect natural resources.
Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown on the Exhibits.
Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown in the Exhibits.
Reds Meadow Road Closure Order
This Forest Closure Order prohibits being on the entirety of Reds Meadow Road to provide public safety during the 2025 reconstruction season.
ESCCRP Project Area Closure
This forest order prohibits access to roads affected by the ESCRRP project to provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes and beyond.
Inn Fire Closure Order
This Forest Closure Order prohibits entrance into the Inn Fire Area Closure to protect public health and safety from environmental hazards, wildfire, and wildfire suppression operations.
Hot Creek Closure Order
This Forest Order prohibits recreating in Hot Creek within the Mammoth Ranger District.
Goat Prohibition Order
This Forest Order prohibits possessing or storing a goat within the Inyo National Forest Goat Prohibition Area.
Mammoth Mill Site Area and Trail Closure
This Forest Order prohibits recreating, entering or being in the Mammoth Mill Site Closure Area and the Mammoth Stamp Mill Trail.
B&B Mine Closure Order
This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the B&B Mine and Mill Site Closure Area.
Food and Refuse Storage Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits food and refuse in locations in Exhibits A and C-J, unless stored in a bear-resistant container.
About
Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground is situated in the Horseshoe Meadow Recreation Area at 10,000 feet elevation, providing a convenient staging area for backpackers heading into the John Muir Wilderness. The campground features 13 walk-in sites, each equipped with a tent pad, picnic table, fire grate, and bear-proof food storage locker. Vault toilets and potable water from a hand pump are available on-site. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration and enforces a one-night stay limit to accommodate the high turnover of backpackers. Sites share parking with the popular Cottonwood Lakes trailhead, with overflow parking available. Due to the high level of bear activity in this area, all food and scented items must be stored in the provided bear lockers, and campers are prohibited from storing these items in vehicles. Located 24 miles from Lone Pine via Whitney Portal Road and Horseshoe Meadow Road, the campground is accessible from late May through mid-October, depending on snow conditions. Wood gathering is prohibited, so campers should bring their own firewood obtained locally. No cell service is available at this remote location.
Directions
From Highway 395, turn west at the stoplight at the center of Lone Pine and follow Whitney Portal Road for 3 miles. Turn south onto Horseshoe Meadow Road. The campground is 24 miles from Lone Pine.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $11 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (760) 876-6200 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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