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Major city · United States

CottonwoodCottonwood, California

Skip as a base: a 1–2 hour stop off I-5 for Old Town and the fish hatchery, or sleep one night between Redding and Red Bluff.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Cottonwood is a small Shasta County town on I-5, about 14 miles south of Redding and 145 miles north of Sacramento. It has one historic main street, a salmon hatchery east of town and river fishing nearby. Most travellers pass through; a short stop or a single night is enough.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 35 °C (95 °F)+), Dec–Feb (rain, occasional snow)
Airports
RDD · SMF
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cottonwood911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cottonwood, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealper personTipping 18–22% expected.$18–30
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Budget bedRV site (hookups), a night, per roomUS$40
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Old Town CottonwoodColeman National Fish HatcherySacramento River fishingI-5 stop between Redding and Red Bluff
Airports
RDD Redding Regional (About 20 min north on I-5; small airport, limited flights — check schedules.) · SMF Sacramento International (About 2 h 30 min south on I-5; the main gateway for the region.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  5. May

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    37°C (99°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cottonwood: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

13°C (55°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

Feb

16°C (61°F)

3°C (37°F)

9 rd

Mar

19°C (66°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Apr

23°C (73°F)

7°C (45°F)

6 rd

May

28°C (82°F)

11°C (52°F)

4 rd

Jun

33°C (91°F)

15°C (59°F)

2 rd

Jul

37°C (99°F)

18°C (64°F)

1 rd

Aug

36°C (97°F)

17°C (63°F)

1 rd

Sep

33°C (91°F)

14°C (57°F)

2 rd

Oct

26°C (79°F)

9°C (48°F)

4 rd

Nov

17°C (63°F)

5°C (41°F)

8 rd

Dec

13°C (55°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the only practical way in and around: I-5 runs through town and the hatchery is about 8 miles east on Coleman Fish Hatchery Road. Old Town and Main Street are walkable once parked. No local bus network worth relying on.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Reddinggo

Door to door: About 25 min

I-5 north, about 20 min

Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay and the main services; the natural base for the area.

Anderson, California

go

Door to door: About 15 min

I-5 south, about 10 min

Closest town south; Shasta District Fairgrounds.

Shasta Lake

go

Door to door: About 40 min

I-5 north then CA-151, about 30 min

Boating, houseboats and lake swimming in summer.

Burney

caution

Door to door: About 1.5 h

CA-299 east then CA-89, about 1 h 15 min

Burney Falls is worth the drive; check seasonal road and park status.

Lakehead

go

Door to door: About 50 min

I-5 north, about 45 min

Shasta Lake's north shore; marina and camping.

French Gulch

caution

Door to door: About 45 min

CA-299 west, about 40 min

Small gold-rush-era town; few services — check before going.

Fall River Mills

overnight

Door to door: About 1.75 h

CA-299 east, about 1 h 30 min

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Main Street / Old Town

Motels and RV parks along Main St; walkable to Old Town and Roger's Frosty.

Gas Point Road

Highway-side services, markets and fuel; car needed for everything.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–90 excl. bed
Mid
$90–150 excl. bed
High
$150+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110US$110
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110US$220
Fuel, 100 km round trip1 × US$12US$12
Coleman hatchery entry2 × US$0 · Free, self-guided; open 7:30 to dusk.US$0
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$37
Trip total≈ US$205 per person per day, bed includedUS$409

2026 estimate in US dollars; prices before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Fast-food meal$10–15
Sit-down meal, per personTipping 18–22% expected.$18–30
Gallon of gas$4.50–5.50
Motel room, one night$70–180
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low street-crime risk in a town of about 3,300 people. The real risks are summer heat, wildfire smoke and unlit rural roads east of town: carry water, check air quality, and avoid driving the back roads after dark.
  • Summer heat: 35 °C (95 °F)+ afternoons in Jul–Aug; carry water.
  • Rural roads east of town are unlit and have no phone signal in places.
  • Wildfire season (roughly Jun–Oct): check air quality and road closures before driving.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Shasta County Sheriff (non-emergency)
530-245-6540
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

CottonwoodCottonwood, California

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Shasta County Sheriff (non-emergency)530-245-6540
  • Poison Control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No consulates in Cottonwood; nearest consulates-general in San Francisco, embassies in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • I-5 Cottonwood → Redding: about 14 miles, 20 min by car
  • I-5 Cottonwood → Sacramento: about 145 miles, 2 h 30 min by car
  • Coleman hatchery from town: about 8 miles east, 15 min by car

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the restroom? — Where is the toilet?
  • Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?

Rural town: fuel up before heading east on CA-299 or CA-89.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cottonwood. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 35 °C+), Dec–Feb (rain, occasional snow) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for RDD and SMF: last flights field-checked, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster for Old Town and Main Street with rescue anchors (markets, fuel, motels).
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Coleman hatchery, Old Town) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Wildfire and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Cottonwood

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