Is Cottonwood Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Cottonwood Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cottonwood Campground before I book?

Yes! Cottonwood Campground has 13 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cottonwood Campground?

Cottonwood Campground is open Year-round. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cottonwood Campground?

Yes, Cottonwood Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Cottonwood Campground?

Fire policies at Cottonwood Campground: Each campsite includes a fire ring. Open flames (candles and stove burners) are not permitted inside cabins.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Cottonwood Campground have?

Cottonwood Campground has 25 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cottonwood Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Cottonwood Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Cottonwood Campground?

Cottonwood Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cottonwood Campground?

Popular activities at Cottonwood Campground include Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cottonwood Campground

3.70

14 reviews

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

3,127 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Arizona State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

3,127 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Arizona State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Cottonwood Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Cabins: $129 per night plus a $5 reservation fee; refundable $50 cleaning deposit. Pet fee $10 where pets are allowed (pets allowed only in specific...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Arizona State Parks

Provider

(928) 428-6760; (877) 697-2757

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Cottonwood Campground

32.7550, -109.7068

Weather at Cottonwood Campground

Current alert: At this park, the entrance gate is closed nightly at 9 p.m.

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Campground

Summer is the best season here because the lake warms up for swimming and boating while Mount Graham offers cooler morning hikes. Daytime highs at this elevation run mid-80s to low-100s°F, with cooler mornings and evenings for wildlife viewing. Weekends and holidays draw more families for lake recreation. The campground stays open year-round, and winter brings sunny days mild enough for hiking while much of the country freezes.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer best for swimming and boating; lake warms up for water recreation.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Year-round

About Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground sits on the shore of Roper Lake at 3,127 feet elevation, with Mount Graham rising above the water. The 25 RV sites include electric and water hookups, showers, and a dump station. Reviewers consistently mention the clean facilities and quiet atmosphere, though sites are close together and fees have increased recently.

Cottonwood Campground is a lakeside campground with 25 sites offering water and electric hookups (20/30/50 amp) suitable for RVs up to about 45 feet; sites are back-in only and include shade ramadas.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the best season here because the lake warms up for swimming and boating while Mount Graham offers cooler morning hikes. Daytime highs at this elevation run mid-80s to low-100s°F, with cooler mornings and evenings for wildlife viewing. Weekends and holidays draw more families for lake recreation. The campground stays open year-round, and winter brings sunny days mild enough for hiking while much of the country freezes.

Natural Features and SceneryMount Graham dominates the view across Roper Lake's surface, creating the dramatic backdrop that defines this spot. The campground occupies Sky Island country where Sonoran Desert meets mountain ecosystems. Wildlife includes migratory birds and lake fish. Great blue herons fish at sunrise. The mountain's shadow moves across the water through the day. Each site has a ramada for shade in the desert heat.

Geological RegionMount Graham / Sky Island mountain region

Scenic ViewsLakeside views with Mount Graham towering in the background.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 p.m.

Check-out

12:00 noon

Stay Limit

Cabins: maximum 14 nights
campsite stay limit not specified

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsOnline and by phone via Arizona State Parks Reservations Desk (877-MY-PARKS / 877-697-2757)

Cancellation PolicyCabins: If canceled after 2:00 p.m. two days prior to check-in, one night’s fees, a $20 cancellation fee, and the $5 reservation fee are forfeited. If canceled before 2:00 p.m. two days prior to check-in, all fees except the $20 cancellation fee and the $5 reservation fee will be refunded. Failure to arrive by 12 noon the day following the first night’s reservation will result in loss of payment and the site may be resold.

Total Campsites25 campsites

Need help booking Cottonwood Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Cottonwood Campground sites include water and electric hookups (20/30/50 amp), fire rings, picnic tables and small shade ramadas; a campground bathroom with hot showers is available and an RV dump station is located near the park entrance (for registered campers).

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Lakeside recreation at Roper Lake includes seasonal fishing, birdwatching/wildlife viewing and boating opportunities (kayak launch referenced).

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsOpen flame (candles and stove burners) is explicitly prohibited inside cabins. The park entrance gate closes nightly at 9 p.m. (arrival rules may affect reservations).

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.7

14 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Cottonwood Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall very positive reviews: visitors commonly praise cleanliness, friendly staff, quiet atmosphere and clean showers. A few reviewers noted issues such as lack of heat in the showers, sites being close together, occasional bathroom closures for repairs, and recent price increases.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities and showers; friendly/helpful staff; quiet, small campground; lakeside setting.

Based on 14 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Cottonwood Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Cabins: $129 per night plus a $5 reservation fee; refundable $50 cleaning deposit. Pet fee $10 where pets are allowed (pets allowed only in specific...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Arizona State Parks

Provider

(928) 428-6760; (877) 697-2757

Go if

RV campers who want full hookups (20/30/50 amp) plus a lakeside setting for fishing and birdwatching. Midweek visits keep the sites from feeling crowded, and great blue herons at sunrise are a genuine perk.

Skip if

Tent campers get nothing here, and RVers with large rigs should know sites run small and back-in only. The 9 p.m. gate closure is firm, shower heat can be hit-or-miss, and there's no camp store to bail you out if you forgot supplies.

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