Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Cottonwood Campground - Boise NF

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from October 2, 2023 through May 14, 2024.

About

National Forest

Boise National Forest

Overview: A stay at Cottonwood Campground enables guests to enjoy all the beauty and recreation offered around the Middle Fork Boise River and Arrowrock Reservoir.

The tiny campground hosts 3 campsites.

Weather is usually good from mid-May through late September and is easily accessible by car in good weather, although the road is sometimes rough and the drive can be seemingly long.

Checking with the Mountain Ranger District (208-587-7961) on road conditions before heading out is recommended.

Natural Features:

The campground is situated just north of the reservoir along Cottonwood Creek. There is at a switchback of Forest Service (FS) roads 268 and 377.

It is located less than a mile along FS road 377.

Wildlife watchers may want to look for deer and elk. Waterfowl, eagles and osprey are attracted to the river.

Recreation:

Cottonwood Trail begins nearby, leading to Bald Mountain.

Check the Idaho City Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for trails in the area that are open to hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and off-road vehicles. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message.

Arrowrock Reservoir is a premier fishing destination in southwest Idaho.

It offers excellent trout fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout. There are also good swimming holes. Big game hunting is a popular activity in season.

The Middle Fork Boise River is just north of the campground and also offers great fishing.

Fee Info

This is not a fee campground. 3 sites / No fees.

Reservation Info

No reservations are necessary. It is a first come, first serve area.

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Location

Cottonwood Campground - Boise NF is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Boise, Idaho, travel north along State Highway 21 and turn right at the Forest Service (FS) road 268 junction that goes to Arrowrock Reservoir. Travel along FS road 268 east past the Arrowrock Dam approximately 16 miles to the Cottonwood Campground. Turn left on the switchback that junctions with FS road 377. Reminder, use caution when traveling FS road 268, it road can be quite hazardous in narrow and rough sections.

Coordinates

43.62963432681564 N
115.82411881943476 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
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  • Verizon
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  • AT&T
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  • T-Mobile
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Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets

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