Pine Flats Group Campground

I had the group campground reserved. When we arrived, there were tents set up in our area. Not one person in site we could talk to and explain the mix up. We waited a few hours and still no one showed up. I tried getting a hold of the ranger station on the phone but they were closed. The other camp sites are first-come first-serve so maybe the people that took out spot were confused. We were forced to leave. Worst experience I’ve had since we had 6 cars full.

I had the group campground reserved. When we arrived, there were tents set up in our area. Not one person in site we could talk to and explain the mix up. We waited a few hours and still no one showed up. I tried getting a hold of the ranger station on the phone but they were closed. The other camp sites are first-come first-serve so maybe the people that took out spot were confused. We were forced to leave. Worst experience I’ve had since we had 6 cars full.

The Pine Flats Group Site has no trees around it - those pictured have been cut down. As a result, there is no shade in the areas where one would camp. There is also no level ground in the group site; everything is sloped. It is also covered in thick, unmaintained grass so the open ground is actually somewhat limited. The first-come/first-serve sites at Pine Flats are actually nicer than the group site. The well water is brown/cloudy, so plan on filtering it if you need drinking water. Parking would hold approximately 10 vehicles. A camper trailer would not be recommended due to the size of the site and the grade - you would be unable to level your trailer here. The FC/FS sites do accommodate trailers and there are a few nice locations closer to the Mad River trailhead.

Pros: giant picnic table and 3 benches/fire ring are great. The vault toilet was in excellent condition and well stocked. The garbage bins also were excellent and well maintained. Access to the river is easy, just 1/4 mile up the road at the Mad River Trailhead. Also, the campground is far enough from the road that there is no concern with trail traffic or dust. In short - the Pine Flats FC/FS sites are a lot nicer than the group site.

Be prepared for high heat in the summer, mosquitos, and rattlesnakes. All in all, not bad - but if the trees pictured at this site had not all been cut down it would be a lot nicer place to be.

The Pine Flats Group Site has no trees around it - those pictured have been cut down. As a result, there is no shade in the areas where one would camp. There is also no level ground in the group site; everything is sloped. It is also covered in thick, unmaintained grass so the open ground is actually somewhat limited. The first-come/first-serve sites at Pine Flats are actually nicer than the group site. The well water is brown/cloudy, so plan on filtering it if you need drinking water. Parking would hold approximately 10 vehicles. A camper trailer would not be recommended due to the size of the site and the grade - you would be unable to level your trailer here. The FC/FS sites do accommodate trailers and there are a few nice locations closer to the Mad River trailhead.

Pros: giant picnic table and 3 benches/fire ring are great. The vault toilet was in excellent condition and well stocked. The garbage bins also were excellent and well maintained. Access to the river is easy, just 1/4 mile up the road at the Mad River Trailhead. Also, the campground is far enough from the road that there is no concern with trail traffic or dust. In short - the Pine Flats FC/FS sites are a lot nicer than the group site.

Be prepared for high heat in the summer, mosquitos, and rattlesnakes. All in all, not bad - but if the trees pictured at this site had not all been cut down it would be a lot nicer place to be.

This group site does not accommodate the amount of people it says. Maybe 10 people max, not 60. There is little to no shade and no way to access the river either. It is quite underwhelming. The individual sites were pretty nice.

This group site does not accommodate the amount of people it says. Maybe 10 people max, not 60. There is little to no shade and no way to access the river either. It is quite underwhelming. The individual sites were pretty nice.

it was good but no water

it was good but no water

Really nice helpful to their extent since the woman that runs the actual desk was out in the field when we came in but still got what we wanted done which was nice and I just want to thank them and let them know we had a wonderful time at Cottonwood campground

Free permits were offered a week before it snowed!!