How much does camping cost at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)?

Camping fees at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) range from $22/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) first-come first-served or reservation?

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) 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.

What is the best time to visit Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)?

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) is open May 15 to October 10. 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 Lake - Psicc (Co)?

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)?

Fire policies at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co): Firewood is available for sale at camphost site at Collegiate Peaks CG for $10.00/bundle.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) have?

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) has 24 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)?

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

What amenities are available at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)?

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

4.53

102 reviews

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Top 22%Fall

Summer Destination

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Quick Facts

9,590 ft

Price

$22/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

This location is ava...

Cell

No Service

Pets

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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

9,590 ft

Price

$22/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

This location is ava...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

$22.00 - $22.00 / night

Campsite Fees

ScanPay 1: $22.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

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Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

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Weather at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

Current alert: Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle. $10.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of weather, scenery, and fewer crowds — the aspen groves around Cottonwood Lake turn brilliant gold in late September to early October, creating classic high-country views. Expect daytime highs around 45–65°F and chilly nights dropping to the 20s–30s°F, perfect for crisp hikes, photography, and calm fishing as the water cools. Fall also brings lower campground occupancy after Labor Day, so you’ll find more solitude on trails and better chances for lakeside camps. Peak months: September, October, August, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in US

Brilliant gold aspens and fewer campers after Labor Day—highlight season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to October 10. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site.

About Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

Cottonwood Lake sits in Colorado's high-elevation alpine zone within the PSICC recreation area, offering tent camping with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Camp hosts maintain clean facilities at this small, seasonal campground where visitors fish, kayak, and hike near the lake. Fall brings brilliant aspen color and cooler fishing conditions, though mice can be a nuisance and gravel surfacing covers many sites.

Cottonwood Lake Campground offers standard nonelectric campsites that are first-come, first-served. Some dispersed camping is permitted nearby when the main campground is full.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of weather, scenery, and fewer crowds — the aspen groves around Cottonwood Lake turn brilliant gold in late September to early October, creating classic high-country views. Expect daytime highs around 45–65°F and chilly nights dropping to the 20s–30s°F, perfect for crisp hikes, photography, and calm fishing as the water cools. Fall also brings lower campground occupancy after Labor Day, so you’ll find more solitude on trails and better chances for lakeside camps. Peak months: September, October, August, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation9590 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryYoung aspens separate the sites and provide moderate shade, though they're not yet tall or dense enough to fully block sound from neighbors. Cottonwood Lake lies close enough for morning fishing or afternoon paddling. The water's cold and clear. Mountain peaks frame the valley, and at 9,590 feet, the air stays crisp even in summer. In late September through early October, the aspens turn gold.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations or alternative lodging described.

Programs & ActivitiesNo specific information provided about cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Stay is limited to 14 nights during a visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

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Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be paid by scanning the QR code through the Recreation.gov mobile app. Users must download the app prior to arrival.

Site SizeSites are large enough to accommodate two two-person tents comfortably, according to user feedback.

PrivacySites are described as providing moderate privacy due to young aspen trees separating them, though noise from neighbors is still audible.

Total Campsites24 campsites

Recommended SitesFor shade and privacy, opt for sites surrounded by aspens. Arrive early on weekends to secure a spot.

Best CampsitesSites tucked into the aspens offer better shade and a bit more privacy than those on open gravel. Site 1 sells firewood, convenient if you arrive without your own.

Need help booking Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)?

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

The Cottonwood Lake Campground offers a range of amenities, though some are under development or have been recently updated. The facilities are situated on a hillside surrounded by aspen trees, providing shade and scenic views. Firewood can be purchased on-site from the camp host. Campsites include fire rings with grill racks and picnic tables. Vault toilets are available and described as clean and well-maintained. The campground is within walking distance of Cottonwood Lake, making it an excellent spot for water-based recreation.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Cottonwood Lake Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and wildlife viewing. The lake is a focal point for outdoor activities, and the surrounding area provides additional attractions like hiking trails and scenic views.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

102 reviews

Top-Rated

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is frequently praised for its cleanliness, scenic views, and proximity to Cottonwood Lake. Visitors enjoy the fishing, hiking, and water activities, though some note that the sites can be close together with limited privacy.

Review Summaries

Based on 102 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, friendly and helpful camp hosts, proximity to the lake, and a variety of recreational opportunities like fishing, kayaking, and hiking.

Based on 102 reviews

Common Concerns

Lack of potable water, no cell phone service, and limited privacy between campsites. One user mentioned issues with campground hosts enforcing generator rules.

Based on 102 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #1 is noted for selling firewood. Campsites are generally described as clean and large enough for multiple tents. No specific reviews detail the best or worst sites by number.

Based on 102 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure a site. Download the Recreation.gov app beforehand as cell service is unavailable. Bring enough water, as potable water is not reliably available.

Based on 102 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during summer weekends and holidays. Several users noted that it is especially beautiful in the fall due to the aspen trees.

Based on 102 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The lake is beautiful and is probably a little less than a mile down the road from the campground." – fanzbeans. "Absolutely stunning campground! The mountain views were unbeatable." – Colleen...

Based on 102 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility features or experiences from users with disabilities.

Based on 102 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews address pet policies or experiences with pets.

Based on 102 reviews

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Go if

You want budget-friendly high-elevation tent camping with lake access and don't mind gravel pads or seasonal rodent activity.

Skip if

You need RV hookups, natural ground texture at your site, or guaranteed wildlife-free camping.

Nearby Campgrounds

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Campgrounds

Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co)

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co) sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

Cottonwood Lake Campground has 25 sites and is situated on a gently sloping hillside surrounded by aspen trees, within walking distance to the lake. It is a popular campground for anglers and sites fill up quickly on weekends. No water available, make sure to bring enough water to drink and extinguish your campfire.If the campground is full, dispersed camping is permitted along road 344 starting 1 mile west of Cottonwood Lake Campground.

About the campground

The elevation is 9,500 ft. The campground is located in a grove of young aspen about one mile from the 43-acre Cottonwood Lake - no power boats. A few sites have a limited view of the lake. South Cottonwood Creek, just across the road from campground, offers good trout fishing. All the sites have good vistas of surrounding mountains. Most of the sites are widely spaced, and combined with the aspen, have good privacy. Commercial hot springs in the area offer a different day trip experience. Firewood is available for a fee. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.

Seasons & access

Open May 15 through September 28

RV information

The parking aprons are gravel. A RV waste station is available for a fee at Snowy Peaks RV Park (private), north of Bueana Vista on US Rt. 24. There is potable water.

Directions

In Buena Vista, CO, at intersection of US Rt. 24 and County Rt. 306, take Rt. 306 west 7 miles to County Rt. 344 sign. Turn left onto Rt. 344 (dirt and washboard) and go 3.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground.

National Forest: Isabel National Forest
Ranger District: Salida
Elevation: 9500
Rate: $22 per day
Maximum Stay: 14
Open Season: May 17, 2024 – Oct. 13, 2024

About PSICC

Context for the broader area surrounding Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (Co), sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Peaks to Prairies - Tracks to Trails Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (<a class="offsiteicon" href="http://www.fs.fed.us/locatormap/index.php?lat=37.59&long=-104.77&zoom=7" target="_blank">forest locator map</a>) cover nearly 3 million acres, between the prairies of western Kansas and some of Colorado's highest mountain peaks along the Continental Divide. These sprawling forests and grasslands are an eight hour drive from boundary to boundary. This landscape offers a variety of ecosystems rich in history, geology, scenery, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities. The rolling prairies to the east are home to prairie chickens, wildflowers, paleontological resources and historical areas. The snow-capped Rockies to the west are a scenic backdrop to millions of residents and a draw to forest visitors. The forests are home to nearly half of <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r2/recreation/?cid=stelprd3798321">Colorado's fourteeners</a> with numerous alpine lakes, reservoirs and key rivers. Over 385,000 acres of <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recreation/recarea/?recid=37201">Wilderness</a>, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Colorado Trail, and Santa Fe National Historic Trail are special areas worth exploring. People who live near these areas maintain a strong relationship to the lands. The commitment and volunteerism that these community members have for these public lands is the foundation for our ability to maintain a quality, sustainable recreation program in the face of intense, and growing, urban demand. Critical Information about the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or “drones” are increasing in popularity and can provide wonderful opportunities to explore the forest. Please be aware that these drones are regulated and must follow certain laws to be safe and legal. <ul> <li><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3846515.pdf">Recreational Drone Tips</a> (.pdf)</li> <li><a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems">Forest Service Unmanned Aircraft Systems policy</a> (fs.fed.us)</li> </ul>