Dispersed
Group
RV Sites
Tent Sites
Fires Allowed
Pets Allowed
Drinking Water
About Cottonwood Lake
Cottonwood Lake Campground is a very popular site for campers, as well as anglers. Campsites fill up quickly on weekends. Weekdays can be less busy, and campsites may be much more available. This facility has 24 campsites. The campground is situated on a gently sloping hillside surrounded by young stands of aspen trees. Water is provided by a solar-powered pump. RV's and camp trailers cannot fill their water tanks from the campground faucets due to the poor recovery of the well. Water tanks should be filled up in Buena Vista prior to visiting the campground. No showers are available and restrooms are simple vault toilets.
Operator
National Forest
Access
Drive In
Walk In
Boat In
Features
Alcohol Allowed
Drinking Water
Fires Allowed
Firewood Available
Pets Allowed
Phone Service
Picnic Table
Toilets
Trash Available
Water Hookups
Contact
Location
Cottonwood Lake is located in Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands in Colorado
Directions
To get to Cottonwood Lake, travel north on Highway 24 to the only stoplight in Buena Vista. Turn left at the stoplight and travel west on Main Street. Main Street will leave the city limits of Buena Vista and will continue as County Road 306, also known as the Cottonwood Pass road. Stay on this road for about 6 miles then turn left at County Road 344 and the sign that indicates Cottonwood Lake, 3 miles. This road can be rough so drive slowly.
10 Reviews of Cottonwood Lake
Most everything needed but showers and electrical.
This campground has what I desire most in one, a lake, and rushing waters within walking distance of campsite. It has decent fishing for small rainbow trout and is stocked on the regular. The sites have trees around them or in them and that is always a plus for me when choosing a campground. There are vaulted toilets, in both the campground itself and near the fishing pier's at the lake. FCFS-(1st come, 1st serve), which I like. It isnt too long of a drive back in to town for supplies and I have always felt safe camping here! Enjoy
Just as beautiful as last time!
this campground is always a beautiful time. the weather was cool, but warm in the sun. plenty of things to do like fishing, hiking, ATV trails, etc. the lake is just breathtaking scenery. Highly recommend!
Love this Campground!
Frequent camper here.
Lots of trees, so hammocking is a great option. Fills up fast and first come first serve, so arrive accordingly. Toilets are always clean and stocked. Very easy to find and the road is not bad on the way in. In a neat little valley surrounded by mountains, and by the side of Cottonwood Lake. People come here just to fish, so bring your gear! Lots of deer activity.
Quiet and beautiful
We came here last year during the summer and it was so beautiful and quiet. Great scenery, not crowded, plenty of sites to choose from. Mosquitos were killer, so bring plenty of bug spray or whatever you use for repellant! We will be coming back this summer!
Great aspens in the fall
You can drive up to this campground and it’s a primitive site (vault toilets, minimal water). Amazing views of the lake, Collegiate Peaks, Continental Divide, the valley, wildlife. It’s a great base camp for some serious day hikes and 14ers. Thankfully you can only use human-powered boats on the lake, so bring a kayak if you have one. You need to take a dirt road to get to the campground but it’s accessible to sedans unless there’s been a lot of heavy rain/snowmelt. There are no reservations so get there early in the summer. All the sites seemed to be equally beautiful, ours had phenomenal views even though though it seemed a little close to our neighbors. Buena Vista is not pronounced the way you expect :)
Great aspens in fall
You can drive up to this campground and it’s a primitive site (vault toilets, minimal water). Amazing views of the lake, Collegiate Peaks, Continental Divide, the valley, wildlife. It’s a great base camp for some serious day hikes and 14ers. Thankfully you can only use human-powered boats on the lake, so bring a kayak if you have one. You need to take a dirt road to get to the campground but it’s accessible to sedans unless there’s been a lot of heavy rain/snowmelt. There are no reservations so get there early in the summer. All the sites seemed to be equally beautiful, ours had phenomenal views even though though it seemed a little close to our neighbors. Buena Vista is not pronounced the way you expect :)
Great for fishing & families!
The sites at Cottonwood Lake Campground are surrounded by a large grove of aspens, so they're relatively secluded. The campground is situated about a quarter mile from Cottonwood Lake, a small, pretty lake with a wide boatlaunch area - no motorized boats allowed though! The last part of the road to get to the campground is dirt, but it is well-maintained so nearly any car can handle it. The campground is also nearby the Cottonwood Hot Springs and Buena Vista if you need a nice soak and a pizza after a long day of fishing! 4 stars out of 5 because it is lacking in expansive views.
Beautifully Pricey
First come first serve has never seemed to let our family down; 4 out of 5 times we'll get a spot on a late Sautrday morning. It's great for multi-tent car camping with family & friends. Very well kept & clean sites with fire/grilling pits & picnic tables. Well placed sites allow for a more secluded feel & your neighbors aren't 5 feet from your tent. It's pricey, but for good reason I suppose
Cottonwood Lake Campground
This campground is a decent size, not too big but has several sites available if you are looking for basic car camping. No showers, vault toilets and beautiful scenery. It's a short walk to access natural water and has moderate shade. It's especially beautiful for Aspen Fall colors.
