Is Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

What is the best time to visit Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground?

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground is open Season of use runs June 1 to October 31. The Green Mountain Loop Road above the campground is open June 15 - December 1.. 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 Creek Trailhead/Campground?

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground have?

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground has 5 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/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 Creek Trailhead/Campground?

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground?

Popular activities at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

4 reviews

Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY, 82414, USA

Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Tent Camping Wyoming

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

4,790 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Season of use runs J...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Cody Field Office Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

4,790 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Season of use runs J...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Cody Field Office Official Website

Get Directions

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

307-578-5900cody_wymail@blm.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

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Campground Map

Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY, 82414, USA

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY, 82414, USA

Nearby places

Lovell is approximately 10 miles away

Cody is the nearest city.

Weather at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable, warm, dry weather and full access to Bighorn Lake and the surrounding trail network, making it ideal for boating, fishing, horseback riding, and evening stargazing. Expect daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to upper-80s°F (75–90°F) with cool nights around 45–60°F, so days are great for water and trail activities while evenings are comfortable for campfires. The campground is tiny (five sites), so summer weekends are busiest — reserve early and plan activities Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer has dependable weather and full lake access, per seasonal notes.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Season of use runs June 1 to October 31. The Green Mountain Loop Road above the campground is open June 15 - December 1.

About Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground sits in mid-elevation forest near Cody, Wyoming, managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Cody Field Office. This very small primitive campground serves as a trailhead base for hikers and equestrians exploring the surrounding backcountry, with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common in the area, and the campground includes horse corrals and a watering trough for riders.

The Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground accommodates tent camping and appears to be suitable for primitive camping setups, with facilities tailored for equestrian use. RV accommodations are not specifically mentioned.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable, warm, dry weather and full access to Bighorn Lake and the surrounding trail network, making it ideal for boating, fishing, horseback riding, and evening stargazing. Expect daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to upper-80s°F (75–90°F) with cool nights around 45–60°F, so days are great for water and trail activities while evenings are comfortable for campfires. The campground is tiny (five sites), so summer weekends are busiest — reserve early and plan activities Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation4790 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a dramatic meeting point where Bighorn Canyon's limestone walls rise above the lake. Layers of ancient sediment stripe the canyon faces, shifting color as the sun moves across the sky. Semi-arid terrain mixes mountain and desert ecosystems. Sagebrush and juniper cover the slopes while cottonwoods cluster near the creek, offering scattered shade. The lake stretches below, its water reflecting the canyon's geology in still conditions.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no information suggesting the availability of lodging or accommodations beyond campsites.

Programs & ActivitiesThere is an interpretive kiosk at the campground, which might offer limited educational information, but the specifics are not detailed.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

The Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground provides essential amenities that cater primarily to individuals interested in camping with horses and exploring the trailhead. The campground features five campsites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, a toilet facility, four horse corrals, a horse watering trough, and food storage boxes. These features suggest a focus on accommodating equestrian activities. The overall sentiment suggests basic facilities with a focus on utility rather than luxury.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground is primarily geared toward equestrian activities and serves as an access point for trails, though specific recreational activities are not elaborated on in user reviews or authoritative sources.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Policies & Safety

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

4 reviews

Limited Reviews

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

No user reviews are available for this campground, which limits the ability to provide experiential insights.

Review Summaries

Based on 4 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights of amenities include fire rings, picnic tables, and equestrian facilities such as horse corrals and a watering trough.

Based on 4 reviews

Common Concerns

Due to the absence of user reviews, no complaints can be compiled or analyzed.

Based on 4 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no site-specific reviews available to offer detailed feedback on individual campsites at Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground.

Based on 4 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No specific tips or recommendations have been recorded as user reviews are unavailable.

Based on 4 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal trends cannot be analyzed due to the lack of user reviews.

Based on 4 reviews

Camper Quotes

No user quotes are available to provide insight into the camping experience.

Based on 4 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews regarding accessibility features are unavailable.

Based on 4 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No user reviews discuss pet policies or pet-friendly facilities at the campground.

Based on 4 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a quiet trailhead base for hiking or horseback riding with equestrian amenities.

Skip if

You need hookups, running water, or a campground with more than a handful of sites.

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