Cold Creek vs Cottonwood Creek: side-by-side comparison
RVs to 20 ft vs 45 ft.
Verdict: Pick Cottonwood Creek for room for a longer rig (45 ft longest listed site vs 20 ft longest listed site).
Public-agency campground vs public-agency campground. Official facts link to their source; listing facts say so; anything nobody publishes is marked as not listed. Distances are straight-line.
| Attribute | Cold Creek | Cottonwood Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Recreation.gov | Recreation.gov |
| Official RV limit | Not listed — no official limit published | Not listed — no official limit published |
| Guest rating | 3.0 (12 reviews, Recreation.gov) | 4.0 (80 reviews, Recreation.gov) |
| Booking | Reservable on Recreation.gov (listing) | Reservable on Recreation.gov (listing) |
| Price | Lowest listed rate $16/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) | Lowest listed rate $20/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) |
| Max rig length | Longest RV site listed: 20 ft (1 of 2 RV sites list a length) (listing) | Longest RV site listed: 45 ft (48 of 48 RV sites list a length) (listing) |
| Hookups & power | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) |
| Pull-through / back-in | 0 pull-through, 2 back-in (listing) | 0 pull-through, 48 back-in (listing) |
| Road & site access | 3 paved site driveways; 2 hike-in sites (listing) | 48 paved site driveways (listing) |
| Water | Not listed — check with campground | Drinking water listed (listing) |
| Generators | Not listed — check with campground | Not listed — check with campground |
| Pets | Allowed (listing) | Allowed (listing) |
| Cell signal | Not listed — check with campground | Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): AT&T 0 (24 reports) (listing) |
| Shade | 3 of 4 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) | 48 of 48 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) |
| Stay limits | 14 nights max (listing) | 14 nights max (listing) |
| Getting there | 34.3 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 15.4 mi to Donner Lake (straight-line, not driving) (listing) | 34.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 15.9 mi to Donner Lake (straight-line, not driving) (listing) |
Questions campers ask
Which is closer to the middle of Lake Tahoe, Cold Creek or Cottonwood Creek?
Cold Creek is closer: 34.3 miles from the middle of Lake Tahoe versus 34.8 miles for Cottonwood Creek (straight-line distances, not driving).
Can I reserve a site at Cold Creek and Cottonwood Creek?
Cold Creek: Reservable on Recreation.gov (listing). Cottonwood Creek: Reservable on Recreation.gov (listing).
Which has hookups for an RV?
Cold Creek: Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing). Cottonwood Creek: Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing).
How long an RV fits at Cold Creek vs Cottonwood Creek?
Cold Creek: Longest RV site listed: 20 ft (1 of 2 RV sites list a length) (listing). Cottonwood Creek: Longest RV site listed: 45 ft (48 of 48 RV sites list a length) (listing). Always confirm the specific site's length before booking.
Is there water at Cold Creek and Cottonwood Creek?
Cold Creek: Not listed — check with campground. Cottonwood Creek: Drinking water listed (listing).
Is there cell service at Cold Creek or Cottonwood Creek?
Cold Creek: Not listed — check with campground. Cottonwood Creek: Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): AT&T 0 (24 reports) (listing). Signal varies by carrier and site.
How do guests rate Cold Creek and Cottonwood Creek?
Cold Creek is rated 3.0 from 12 reviews on Recreation.gov; Cottonwood Creek is rated 4.0 from 80 reviews on Recreation.gov.
Go to the campgrounds
Related guides
Other comparisons for Cold Creek
- Cold Creek vs Lower Little Truckee — RVs to 20 ft vs 45 ft · 34.3 vs 29 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
- Cold Creek vs Upper Little Truckee — RVs to 20 ft vs 70 ft · 34.3 vs 29.5 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
Other comparisons for Cottonwood Creek
- Cottonwood Creek vs Lower Little Truckee — 34.8 vs 29 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
- Cottonwood Creek vs Upper Little Truckee — RVs to 45 ft vs 70 ft · 34.8 vs 29.5 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)