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Camping

Established Camping

Cottonwood Lake Campground

5 Reviews

Cottonwood Lake Campground, near Grand Junction, Colorado, is a beautiful spot surrounded by lush forests and stunning lakes. This place is perfect for those who enjoy fishing, kayaking, or just soaking in the natural beauty of the area.

The campground offers a range of accommodations, including tent sites and RV spots, but be prepared for a more rustic experience—there are no electric hookups or showers. Visitors have noted that the campsites are well spread out, providing a sense of privacy while still being close to hiking trails and water access. One camper mentioned, “The campsites here are well spread out and right on the water,” which highlights the appealing layout.

If you’re planning a weekend trip, make sure to arrive early, as spots fill up quickly. Bug spray is a must, especially during the warmer months. The area can get lively with side-by-sides and four-wheelers zipping around, so expect some noise, but it adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the campground.

For those looking to explore, Cottonwood Lake Campground is situated within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest, offering endless opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventures. Whether you're casting a line or just enjoying the scenery, this campground is a solid choice for a memorable getaway.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Overview

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

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Location

Cottonwood Lake Campground is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.074818 N
107.963264 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Contact

General Info

Reviews

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4.5

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5 Reviews

N
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2021

Cotton wood lakes

Wow ! A lush forest surrounding beautiful Cottonwood lakes 1 &4 great fishing access good for kayak / small boats . (Many other lakes in the area)The rain storms were pretty intense ,so much standing water we could not find a good place to camp dry camping no hookup. Plus the fact we were camping on a weekend the camp grounds were full by Saturday afternoon. We had to opt for basically a trail head parking lot are to setup and wait out the storms. In two days we had 4 hours to get out and fish and walk around the area . The side by side and four wheelers were not deterred by the rain storms zipping up and down the roads, so expect lots of noise and activity in the area of the lakes.Due to the intense storms we were not able to explore as much as we would have liked other than that absolutely beautiful lush forest.

Sitetrail head to cotton wood lake
Month of VisitJuly
T
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2021

Nice views, great dispersed camping

I cannot stress this enough, get there early if going on a weekend! We arrived at 2:30 and got one of the last spots. Also, bug spray! Overall a great trip!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cottonwood Lake Campground by Tiffany H., July 19, 2021
Hannah R.
Reviewed Apr. 17, 2021

Love the space!

The campsites here are well spread out and right on the water. We found we had privacy and still had great hiking spots near by. May need a car that has AWD if you’re going up the hill to more dispersed spots as we had difficult in our smaller car. It was one of our favorites!

  • Review photo of Cottonwood Lake Campground by Hannah R., April 17, 2021
C
Reviewed Mar. 28, 2021

It’s a mesa

Top notch mountain cut in half. I love it up here. If only someone could find the other half.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Cottonwood Lake Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Cottonwood Lake Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Cottonwood Lake Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Cottonwood Lake Campground?

    There are 4 campsites at Cottonwood Lake Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts