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Cottage Creek Campground (CA)

FSU.S. Forest Service — Nevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest

AgencyFSU.S. Forest Service
AreaTahoe National Forest
LocationNevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest · 39.39776, -121.14829 · Map
Sites9 public sites counted from the federal listing — 9 standard nonelectric
Getting a siteReservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below.
HookupsElectric at 0 of 9 sites
Water hookups at 0 of 9 sites
Sewer hookups at 0 of 9 sites
Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 9 sites
Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way.
Max RV lengthNot reported in the federal data
Months openNot in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov.
FeesNot reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground.
Check-in / outIn 02:00 PM · Out 10:00 AM (most common in the listing)
PetsAllowed at 9 sites, as reported
Amenities, as reportedDrinking water
Phone530-478-6253

Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →

This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.

From the official listing

Overview Cottage Creek is a new campground with all new amendities. It has double and triple sites. It has a beautiful view of the Bullards Bar Reservior.   

Recreation Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, and other water sports. Swimming opportunities are limited because of the steep slopes; however boaters will find numerous opportunities for swimming in various locations around the reservoir. The reservoir provides yearlong fishing opportunities for both warm and cold water fish species. Supplies are available at the marina as well as the nearby communities of Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins.

Facilities Public access for boating and recreation is limited to 2 developed and 1 undeveloped boat launches: the Cottage Creek Boat Launch ramp at Emerald Cove Marina, the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp, and the undeveloped site at the end of Moran Road. The area includes 6 campgrounds, 2 picnic areas, 2 boat launch ramps, 1 marina, 1 overlook, 1 day use area and several developed hiking trails.  

Natural Features The sides of the reservoir are generally steep and public access for boating and recreation is limited. The reservoir is surrounded by both conifer and hardwood forests with numerous brush spieces. There is plenty of shade at the campsites

Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531. Nearby Attractions There is a beautiful non- motorized trail system in the area, with 5 different trails to choose from. Bullards Bar Trailhead is 14 miles, 7 Ball Trial is 1 mile, 8 Ball Trail is 3.8 miles, Rebel Ridge Trail is 1.6 miles and Schoolhouse Trail is 0.7 miles. Maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station just a couple miles east of the reservoir on Marysville Road.

Charges & Cancellations No Show Policy

A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). 

* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. 

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. 

Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

Directions, from the listing

From Nevada City, travel north on Higway 49 from approximately 20 miles to Maryville Road , turn left onto Maryville Road and travel west approximatley 6 miles. You will cross over the dam and take a right at the Cottage Creek/Emerald Cove Marina parking area. Drive through the main parking lot and stay to the left and the stop sign. (The marina is to the right). You will travel 1/4 mile on a narrow road and the Cottage Creek Campground will be on the right. Please see the attached map for the overview of the directions through the parking lot to the campground.

Nearest federal campgrounds

FSU.S. Forest ServiceHornswoggle Group Campground
2 mi straight-line · Nevada City California
FSU.S. Forest ServiceSchoolhouse Campground (CA)
2 mi straight-line · Nevada City California
FSU.S. Forest ServiceGarden Point Boat-in Campground
3 mi straight-line · Camptonville California
FSU.S. Forest ServiceDark Day Campground
3 mi straight-line · Camptonville California
FSU.S. Forest ServiceFrenchy Point Campground
4 mi straight-line · California

Trip Card — Cottage Creek Campground (CA)

Nevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest

AgencyFS · U.S. Forest Service
LocationNevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest
FeesNot reported in the federal data
Getting a siteReservable
HookupsNone reported
Max RVNot reported
Months openNot in federal data
Sites9 sites

Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10137699 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.