Cottonwood Campground offers dedicated equestrian facilities approximately 8 miles from Highway 89 near Smoot, Wyoming. The site consists of two distinct areas separated by a fork in the road, with the left branch leading to horse-friendly campsites and the right branch containing standard camping areas and a group site. Cottonwood Lake sits about a quarter mile from the campground, providing fishing opportunities in teal-colored waters known for brown and cutthroat trout.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access to the Spring Creek Falls trailhead provides moderate hiking options. According to a camper at Spring Creek Trailhead, "The Spring Creek Falls trailhead has a river crossing at the 2 mile mark, sign states it is 5 miles to the falls." This trail connects to additional backcountry routes.
Fishing opportunities: Cottonwood Lake offers excellent fishing conditions, particularly for fly fishing enthusiasts. A visitor noted, "The lake has brown and cutthroat trout. They were jumping like crazy in the evening and the fly fishing was excellent! I used my favorite yellow caddis."
Wildlife viewing: The surrounding Bridger-Teton National Forest contains diverse wildlife habitats. At Hobble Creek Campground, campers report seeing various small mammals and birds, plus seasonal wild berries: "Added bonus, there were a lot of wild strawberries and raspberries in the area."
What campers like
Quiet seclusion: The forested setting creates private camping experiences away from crowds. A camper at Cottonwood Group Campsite shared, "It's pretty small, about 16 (?) sites. It's about 8 miles up the road from Hwy 89. The campground is about 1/4 mile or less from the lake."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, the lake supports non-motorized boating activities. One visitor described, "Near the parking area there is a beach area where you can kayak and paddle board from. The lake has brown and cutthroat trout."
Trail access: Multiple trailheads connect directly to campsites for immediate access to recreation. According to a camper, "There are trailheads from the CG and from the south end of the lake." This eliminates the need to drive to recreation areas after setting up camp.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to most campgrounds in this area require careful navigation. A visitor at Paris Springs Campground reported, "The road through the campground has a lot of deep potholes. The sites are small; some are pull through. I don't think I'd tow a camper longer than 20 ft through there."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is unreliable throughout the area. A camper at Cottonwood noted, "No signal on Verizon." Plan communications accordingly and download maps before arrival.
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities operate with weather-dependent schedules. At Hobble Creek, "Usually roads are not passable until almost July." Spring runoff affects creek crossings and trail conditions significantly.
Tips for camping with families
Creek play areas: Multiple campsites feature safe creek access for supervised play. At Hobble Creek, a parent noted, "Kids and dogs had fun playing in the nearby creek (water is very cold), with lots of great hiking opportunities."
Consider site location: Choose sites away from trailheads if traveling with young children. Some sites at Cottonwood are positioned right at trailhead access points, creating additional foot traffic near your camping area.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing. The area supports diverse bird populations including hummingbirds, as one camper at Paris Springs noted: "There were hummingbirds everywhere! And dragon flies too!"
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds accommodate smaller trailers only. One RVer at Flat Creek RV Park and Cabins shared, "Quaint place with full hookups and amenities. The men's bathroom was quite dirty but the owners were friendly and the wifi worked well."
Technical driving required: Narrow access roads with potential oncoming traffic present challenges. A camper warned, "The road is mostly one lane, though a little wider in some spots, so if you are towing, hope you don't encounter someone coming the other direction."
Length limitations: Specific maximum lengths apply at forest service campgrounds. A Hobble Creek visitor reported, "I had no problems pulling my 26' TT into here, but I don't know if I would attempt to bring anything in much larger than that."
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