Cottonwood Grove Campground

4.06

42 reviews

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Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Montrose Public Lands Center site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Montrose Public Lands Center site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Cottonwood Grove Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping is free with no use fees.

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

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Provider

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What Campers Say

4.06

Satisfactory

Based on 42 reviews

43 Google reviews

Most mentioned

spacioussites

Some mention

noise

"User sentiment for the campground is mixed to positive, with an average general sentiment rating of 4.11. Positive aspects include the scenic riverside location, free camping, and great fishing opportunities. However, negative reviews highlight issues such as crowding, noise, and challenging access roads."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

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Cottonwood Grove Campground

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Driving directionsFrom Austin, Colorado drive south on 2200 Rd. for 0.9 miles. Turn left on H75 Rd (there is a sign indicating access to Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area). H75 Rd is a well-maintained gravel road. It enters the National Conservation Area in about 2.8 miles. Another 0.2 miles will bring you to Smith Mountain Saddle, where there is a 4-way intersection. Follow the sign indicating South River Road and the West River Trailhead, a slight right off of H75 Rd. South River Road is a graded natural-surface road, which is passable with high clearance vehicles when dry, and impassable when wet. The campground is 4 miles down this road.

H75 Road is a well-maintained gravel road leading into the National Conservation Area. South River Road is a natural-surface graded road, passable with high-clearance vehicles when dry but becomes impassable during wet conditions. Multiple reviewers mention rough roads and narrow stretches requiring caution.

Nearby places

Austin, Colorado (0.9 miles from the start of the route).

Nearby supplies

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Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Grove Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal shifts of the Colorado landscape at Cottonwood Grove. Winter transforms the campground into a crystalline wonderland, though temperatures can plunge to a brisk 13°F, creating perfect conditions for hardy cold-weather campers. Summer brings intense heat that makes those riverside dips especially refreshing, while the cottonwood shade becomes your best friend during peak afternoon hours. Expect spirited afternoon winds that rustle through the leaves, and be aware that spring snowmelt occasionally causes the river to swell beyond its banks, adding to the wild character of this dynamic landscape.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Summer can be very hot and crowded per reviewers; water access helps but temps are a downside.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall preferred by reviewers for milder weather and fewer bugs/crowds.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring cited as a preferred season with milder weather and fewer crowds.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Winter can be scenic ("crystalline wonderland") but is cold and access may be difficult.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: null
Current Alerts: null

About Cottonwood Grove Campground

Discover your riverside retreat at Cottonwood Grove Campground, where towering cottonwood trees create a natural canopy along the banks of the Gunnison River. This intimate campground offers six thoughtfully spaced sites, including one fully ADA-accessible site complete with its own fishing pier for anglers of all abilities. Launch your kayak or canoe from the convenient boat ramp, then return to your shaded sanctuary equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and sheltering structures. Best of all, this hidden gem comes without a price tag—camping is completely free on a first-come, first-served basis, making it perfect for spontaneous adventures.

The campground provides tent and primitive camping accommodations, and is suitable for a secluded outdoor experience.

Historical Significancenull

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal shifts of the Colorado landscape at Cottonwood Grove. Winter transforms the campground into a crystalline wonderland, though temperatures can plunge to a brisk 13°F, creating perfect conditions for hardy cold-weather campers. Summer brings intense heat that makes those riverside dips especially refreshing, while the cottonwood shade becomes your best friend during peak afternoon hours. Expect spirited afternoon winds that rustle through the leaves, and be aware that spring snowmelt occasionally causes the river to swell beyond its banks, adding to the wild character of this dynamic landscape.

ElevationPerched at a moderate elevation that strikes the perfect balance, Cottonwood Grove offers comfortable temperatures that make spring and fall camping particularly delightful, while providing a refreshing escape from lower elevation heat during summer months.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a living postcard where ancient cottonwoods frame the flowing Gunnison River, their leaves whispering stories in the breeze. This riverside sanctuary serves as a natural amphitheater for wildlife watching—keep your eyes peeled for playful river otters gliding through the current. Anglers will find themselves in paradise with direct access to gold-medal fishing waters teeming with trophy trout. When you're ready to explore beyond camp, multiple hiking trails beckon from the campground, inviting you to discover hidden viewpoints and secret swimming holes along this pristine stretch of river.

Geological RegionNestled within the dramatic Gunnison Gorge Wilderness, Cottonwood Grove Campground occupies a special pocket where water meets stone in spectacular fashion. The campground sits in a rare oasis of mature cottonwoods that thrive along the river corridor, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding semi-arid landscape of rugged cliffs and sculpted rock formations. This unique geological setting creates world-class fishing conditions in the gold-medal waters below, where the river has carved its ancient path through layers of time and stone.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

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Check-out

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Stay Limit

7day / 6 night maximum stay length.

Guests Allowed Per Site

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Groups

No group sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSites are spaced out well, with periodic shade provided by cottonwood trees. "Camp sites are spaced out well and sleeping next to the river is beautiful," one user mentioned.

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation required.

Cancellation PolicyFirst-come, first-served basis; no reservations required.

AccessibilityAn ADA-accessible site is available, featuring an adjacent accessible fishing pier.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious and suitable for sharing by multiple users.

PrivacyPrivacy levels are adequate, with some reviewers noting that campsites are 'spaced out well,' while others mentioned crowding during peak times.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the river are highly recommended for their scenic beauty and proximity to fishing opportunities.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Cottonwood Grove Campground offers a variety of outdoor recreation activities, including fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation. The proximity to the river also allows for water-based activities like rafting.

HikingHiking opportunities are available nearby, with one review citing 'about a half dozen hiking trails' in the area.

FishingFishing at the campground is described as excellent by multiple reviewers. The waters are noted as 'gold medal waters,' and one user said 'the fish seemed to be jumping at everything.'

BoatingA boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft is available; rafting is mentioned as a popular activity.

Wildlife viewingWildlife observation is possible, with one user reporting sighting a 'pod of river otters' near the campground.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRoad conditions can be challenging, requiring high-clearance vehicles during dry conditions and becoming impassable when wet. Wildlife hazards reported include biting flies, mosquitoes, and scorpion-like critters.

Active Alertsnull

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

Weather at Cottonwood Grove Campground

Reviews

4.1

42 reviews

Satisfactory

Cottonwood Grove Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User sentiment for the campground is mixed to positive, with an average general sentiment rating of 4.11. Positive aspects include the scenic riverside location, free camping, and great fishing opportunities. However, negative reviews highlight issues such as crowding, noise, and challenging access roads.

Review Summaries

Based on 42 reviews

What Campers Love

Key positive aspects mentioned by users include the campground's scenic beauty, proximity to the Gunnison River, availability of spacious campsites, and excellent fishing opportunities. One review...

Based on 42 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the challenging road access, lack of drinking water, and crowding during peak times. One user noted, 'The road gets rough,' while another pointed out 'too crowded, people...

Based on 42 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommendations from users include bringing adequate bug repellant due to mosquitoes and biting flies, using high-clearance vehicles for access, and considering the season for visiting as it can be...

Based on 42 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is described as very hot in the summer, with one reviewer opting to camp in the fall instead. Fall and spring appear to be preferred seasons due to milder weather conditions and fewer...

Based on 42 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The stars are magical.' 2. 'Fishing was great! Will definitely visit again!' 3. 'Campground felt safe, but gets buggy next to the river.' 4. 'Didn't make it to the camp, was across the river....

Based on 42 reviews