Cottonwood Lakes Camping

John Muir Wilderness

photo of Cottonwood Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California
photo of Cottonwood Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California

Cottonwood Lakes Camping

John Muir Wilderness


Camping Around Cottonwood Lakes

Finding a suitable campsite around Cottonwood Lakes is easy. Some campers choose open gravel areas while others prefer to be tucked in among the trees. Our map shows several camping areas, but almost everywhere around the lakes are nice spots. Campfires are not permitted. Sometimes wind is an issue.

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Fishing

Cottonwood Lakes' golden trout attract many anglers. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed at lakes 1-4 and in Cottonwood Creek. Those same lakes are catch and release as are parts of Cottonwood Creek. Check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.


Cottonwood Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California

Cottonwood Lakes



Muir Lake

Pretty little Muir Lake makes a nice alternative to campsites around Cottonwood Lakes. Muir Lake's shores are more heavily forested than most of its neighbors. Fishing and swimming are popular at the little lake.

Hiking up trail to Mount Langley, John Muir Wilderness, California

Mount Langley Trail



Explore the Area

With so many lakes in the area, a day of hiking might not be enough to visit them all. From the upper Cottonwood Lakes, you can look up at the old Army Pass route, now abandoned as a maintained trail. The hike up New Army Pass offers views into Sequoia National Park.

Mount Langley

Hiking to the summit of 14,042-foot Mount Langley is a popular day trip for many camped at Cottonwood Lakes. A trail from the top of New Army Pass leads 3 miles along the crest of the peaks to the summit of Mount Langley. For routes to other nearby peaks, see R. J. Secor's The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails.