Cottonwood Campground

3.97

14 reviews

Quick Facts

3,127 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Arizona State Parks site

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

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Arizona State Parks site

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...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Arizona State Parks

Provider

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

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

3.97

Mixed Reviews

Based on 14 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanshowerslake

"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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Cottonwood Campground

32.7550, -109.7068

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Campground

Open year-round, Cottonwood Campground offers two distinct personalities: summer transforms the lake into your personal cooling station during warm afternoons, while winter delivers those crisp, sunny days perfect for hiking Mount Graham's trails or watching wildlife emerge during prime activity hours. Southern Arizona's mild winters mean you can camp comfortably when much of the country is buried in snow, while summer evenings cool down nicely after hot days. Anglers should plan around seasonal fishing patterns when Roper Lake's bass, bluegill, and catfish are most active—though honestly, any season here beats being stuck at home. The surrounding desert landscape shifts dramatically with the seasons too, from spring wildflower blooms to winter's golden grasses, giving repeat visitors something new to discover with each trip.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Year-round

About Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground's 25 spacious back-in sites put you right on the shores of Roper Lake, where Mount Graham's dramatic peak reflects in calm waters just beyond your morning campfire. Each site includes full hookups (20/30/50 amp), a shaded ramada for desert sun relief, picnic table, and fire ring—plus hot showers and room for RVs up to 45 feet make this an ideal base camp for both comfort-seekers and adventure-lovers.

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 SeasonsOpen year-round, Cottonwood Campground offers two distinct personalities: summer transforms the lake into your personal cooling station during warm afternoons, while winter delivers those crisp, sunny days perfect for hiking Mount Graham's trails or watching wildlife emerge during prime activity hours. Southern Arizona's mild winters mean you can camp comfortably when much of the country is buried in snow, while summer evenings cool down nicely after hot days. Anglers should plan around seasonal fishing patterns when Roper Lake's bass, bluegill, and catfish are most active—though honestly, any season here beats being stuck at home. The surrounding desert landscape shifts dramatically with the seasons too, from spring wildflower blooms to winter's golden grasses, giving repeat visitors something new to discover with each trip.

Natural Features and SceneryMount Graham rises dramatically from the desert floor, its massive silhouette dominating the view across Roper Lake's glassy surface—a scene that changes character with every shift of light from dawn to dusk. This is Arizona's Sky Island country, where Sonoran Desert meets mountain ecosystems in an ecological collision that draws an incredible diversity of wildlife, from migratory birds that stop over during their long journeys to fish that cruise the lake's depths. The real treasure here isn't just one dramatic vista—it's the accumulation of moments. A great blue heron fishing at sunrise. The mountain's shadow creeping across the water at sunset. The unexpected splash of a bass breaking the surface while you sip coffee under your ramada. Whether you're actively fishing, birding with binoculars in hand, or simply absorbing the scenery between camp chores, Roper Lake offers that increasingly rare commodity: genuine tranquility.

Geological RegionMount Graham / Sky Island mountain region

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

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

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

FishingSeasonal fishing on Roper Lake.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

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.

Weather at Cottonwood Campground

Reviews

4.0

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

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visit mid-week or in shoulder season for fewer people; expect back-in sites and relatively small site footprints; bring needed supplies from nearby stores as on-site options may be limited.

Based on 14 reviews