Water enthusiasts will find direct access to both a creek and river at Cottonwood Recreation Site, a Bureau of Land Management campground near Ellis. The facility accommodates RVs with approximately 15-20 paved sites plus around five tent areas, all equipped with picnic tables and access to drinking water and dump stations.
Eric D. notes that river-side sites offer a quieter experience than those facing the highway, where road noise becomes noticeable. The campground operates year-round and welcomes pets. Campers can access camping near May for additional staging options in the region.
Description
The BLM Cottonwood Recreation Site sits among groves of cottonwoods along the scenic Salmon River and provides a beautiful setting for fishing and camping. It also has a boat ramp, allows RVs, provides accessible campsites and includes a day use area with barbecues, tent sites and group camp sites. 15 camp sites total. This is one of a number of sites on the Upper Salmon River. The headwaters of the Salmon River are in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. BLM recreation sites along this stretch start at the East Fork confluence, followed downstream by Deadman Hole, Bayhorse Campground, Challis Bridge, and Cottonwood Campground.
Fee Info
Camping fee: $10/night; standard stay limits. Day use area with horse shoe pits and reservable covered group shelter: $25/day (Call Challis Field Office at 208-879-6200 for reservation)
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCottonwood Recreation Site is located in Idaho near May
Directions
north of Challis, Idaho. Travel north from Challis on Highway 93 for approximately 14 miles. The recreation site will be on your left between the highway and the Salmon River.
Coordinates
44.68277704 N
114.07882655 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 29 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 2 hrs 44 min from Pocatello, ID
- 3 hrs 16 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 4 hrs 17 min from Boise, ID
