Cottonwood Pass Walk-in Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter. Typically operates late May through mid-October, weather dependent. Horseshoe Meadow Road is closed during winter.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited

Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…

Monache Meadows Area Seasonal Road Closure

To provide for public safety and protection of natural resources during snowy and muddy conditions.

Horseshoe Pit Closure

To provide for public safety while large decks of logs are stored on site.

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. Please click on the PDF version for all Exhibit maps B - G. The website will not allow for more JPG formats to be uploaded than what…

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.Please click on the PDF version for all Exhibit maps B - S. The website will not allow for more JPG formats to be uploaded than what…

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.

Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project Area Closure

This forest order prohibits access to roads affected by the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project to provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes and beyond. The closure orders are dynamic and…

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. Food and refuse in locations shown in Exhibit B must be stored in a bear-resistant container OR counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally…

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 10 at 10:53PM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

April 10th, 10:53 PM — 11:00 AM

* WHAT...Snow and strong winds will make for hazardous conditions in the Eastern Sierra. Snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches between 8,000 and 9,500 feet expected. Snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches above 9,500 feet, with locally higher totals exceeding 1 foot possible along the ridgeline. Winds may gust as high as 60 mph, resulting in blowing and drifting snow. * WHERE...Eastern Sierra Slopes. * WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds could cause tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A break in snow is expected Saturday afternoon before snow moves back in Saturday evening and overnight.

About

Cottonwood Pass Walk-in Campground sits at 10,000 feet elevation at the end of Horseshoe Meadow Road in Inyo National Forest, serving as a staging area for backpackers entering the Golden Trout Wilderness via Cottonwood Pass Trail. This first-come, first-served campground features 18 walk-in sites, each equipped with a tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and bear-proof food storage locker. The area experiences high bear activity, making proper food storage mandatory. The campground provides potable water from a hand pump and vault toilets. Campers are limited to a one-night stay to accommodate the high demand from through-hikers. Campfires are only allowed in the provided metal fire rings, and gathering wood is prohibited, though firewood can be purchased at a roadside stand approximately 7 miles down Horseshoe Meadow Road. There is no cell service at this remote location. The campground is located 24 miles southwest of Lone Pine. From the center of Lone Pine, turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, continue for 3 miles, then turn south onto Horseshoe Meadow Road. The road is typically closed during winter months, limiting access to the late spring through fall season.

Directions

Located at the end of Horseshoe Meadow Road, 24 miles southwest of Lone Pine. From center of Lone Pine, turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road for 3 miles, then turn south onto Horseshoe Meadow Road.

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 $22

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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