Cottonwood Campground (CA)

The Cottonwood CG is a good base to experience the Colorado Desert portions of JTree, but every day the motor-homes with GENERATORS in the campground shattered the peace and quiet from first light throughout the morning hours. If there are any generator-free quiet hours, they aren't posted or enforced. NPS can and should do better! We usually like to camp INSIDE the national parks to avoid the dirtbikes, generators, drones and other noisy motorized gizmos that are increasingly common outside JTree's boundaries. But the people who feel it's ok to run their generators at all hours seemingly without any remorse kinda ruin it for the rest of us. The Mastodon Loop trail was nice, but we ran into multiple individuals and groups that were "lost." The "trail" can, for some, be challenging to follow. One sunburned thirsty fellow said "It's really easy to get turned around out there." We had little trouble following the route, but we are experienced wilderness rangers. If you are not experienced at route-finding and following faint trails, our advice: take it slow, pay attention, carry a map (and know how to use it), don't rely on your phone to guide you, etc.

The facilities were extremely clean. The campsites are spaced apart for tent camping. Cottonwood campground is at the less busy side of the park so the night views are stunning.

Cottonwood was great except for the size of the site with take some work to get into but all in all it was worth it. The weather was not the best but that as nothing to do with the campground were the facilities are good and clean.

Not all campsites have good tent spots. 3 hikes right out of campground. Water is a treat in JT.

The facilities were extremely clean. The campsites are spaced apart for tent camping. Cottonwood campground is at the less busy side of the park so the night views are stunning.

Cottonwood was great except for the size of the site with take some work to get into but all in all it was worth it. The weather was not the best but that as nothing to do with the campground were the facilities are good and clean.

Not all campsites have good tent spots. 3 hikes right out of campground. Water is a treat in JT.

On a 1,100 mi road trip from Northern California we camped 2 nights in the Cottonwood campground in our RV. On the 2nd day I took the interesting Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail. Along the way I encountered 2 friendly Lithuanians who were visiting this country. We hiked together to Mastodon Peak and the spring and I learned a lot from them about Lithuania and lasers (their professional expertise). It was a great international encounter and we all learned a lot about the area from the posted signs and marveled at the incredible rock formations.

On a 1,100 mi road trip from Northern California we camped 2 nights in the Cottonwood campground in our RV. On the 2nd day I took the interesting Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail. Along the way I encountered 2 friendly Lithuanians who were visiting this country. We hiked together to Mastodon Peak and the spring and I learned a lot from them about Lithuania and lasers (their professional expertise). It was a great international encounter and we all learned a lot about the area from the posted signs and marveled at the incredible rock formations.

Great campground! Everything went well. Bathroom has no lights at night, make sure you bring a flashlight!