About COLD CREEK
Overview Cold Creek Campground is located on Highway 89, 4.5 miles south of Sierraville, California. The facility location makes Cold Creek a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. This is a small campground recommended for tent camping and small campers. Large RVs will not be able to make the turnaround exit at this facility. There are a couple of hike-in sites within this campground that share a small parking area toward the back of this facility. This facility is operated and maintained by Lake Tahoe Hospitality LLC for the Tahoe National Forest.Recreation Cold Creek offers rainbow trout fishing and swimming. Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail and Overlook Trail both begin at nearby Cottonwood Creek Campground. Facilities The campground offers single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.Natural Features The campground lies in a meadow between Cold Creek and Highway 89. Jeffrey pine and white fir trees cover half the campground, while the other half is situated closer to the creek among cottonwoods, willow and aspen trees. Contact Info This location has limited staffing. Please call (877) 444-6777 for general information. Nearby Attractions Lake Tahoe is conveniently close, only 35 minutes away. Tahoe offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities. Sardine Lakes, and the beautiful Lakes Basin is a 35-minute drive northwest via the Golden Chain/Highway 49. Stampede Reservoir is a 45-minute drive southeast.
How to Get There
From Truckee, California, take Highway 80 north to Highway 89 approximately 20 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Sierraville, head south on Highway 89 approximately 5 miles, the campground will be on the right side of the highway.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
- 🌡
Layers for swings
Daily temp range is wide (45°F low → 72°F high). Pack layers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection (UV 9)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to COLD CREEK
Heading to COLD CREEK? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for COLD CREEK?
No central reservation system listed for COLD CREEK. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232869) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to COLD CREEK?
From Truckee, California, take Highway 80 north to Highway 89 approximately 20 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Sierraville, head south on Highway 89 approximately 5 miles, the campground will be on the right side of the highway.
How do I contact COLD CREEK?
You can reach the park at phone: (530) 994-3401.
References & Official Resources
