Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground

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Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY, 82414, USA
Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground
$3.00 - $8.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees depend on reservation method: $8 online or app reservations, $9 through the contact center, and $3 for in-person reservations. Additional change...
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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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
307-578-5900cody_wymail@blm.gov

About this campground

Nestled at the gateway to adventure, Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground offers an intimate escape with just five thoughtfully spaced campsites. Each site comes complete with its own fire ring for evening gatherings, a sturdy picnic table for outdoor dining, and secure food storage boxes to keep your provisions safe from wildlife. The campground caters beautifully to equestrian adventurers with four dedicated horse corrals and a convenient watering trough, making it a perfect basecamp for riders exploring the surrounding trails. Modern toilet facilities ensure comfort during your stay in this rustic paradise.
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 SeasonsThe semi-arid climate at Cottonwood Creek brings gloriously dry conditions through much of the camping season, with comfortable temperatures that make both daytime exploration and evening stargazing a pleasure. Spring and fall offer the most ideal conditions, when cool, crisp air mingles with mostly clear skies. While occasional light rain may sweep through, bringing the sweet scent of sagebrush and refreshing the landscape, most days dawn bright and perfect for outdoor adventures. Moderate winds occasionally whisper through the cottonwoods, providing natural air conditioning on warmer afternoons.
ElevationPerched at the perfect vantage point between high desert and mountain country, the campground offers that sweet spot where the air is crisp but not thin, and the views stretch endlessly across the dramatic landscape.
Natural Features and SceneryCottonwood Creek sits in the shadow of spectacular Bighorn Canyon, where ancient limestone walls rise dramatically from the shores of pristine Bighorn Lake. This remarkable location offers campers a front-row seat to one of the West's most stunning geological theaters. The surrounding landscape paints a captivating portrait of contrasts - from the rugged canyon walls carved by millennia of flowing water to the serene waters of the lake reflecting endless Montana skies. High desert flora dots the hillsides with splashes of sage and juniper, while the namesake cottonwoods provide welcome shade along the creek bottom, their leaves dancing in the canyon breezes.
Geological RegionPositioned at the remarkable confluence of Bighorn Lake and the eastern ramparts of Bighorn Canyon, Cottonwood Creek Campground occupies one of the most geologically fascinating regions in the American West. Here, the forces of nature have sculpted a dramatic landscape where towering canyon walls tell the story of ancient seas in their limestone layers, while the semi-arid climate has created a unique ecosystem where mountain and desert environments merge. The rugged terrain showcases millions of years of geological history, from uplifted mountain ranges to water-carved canyons, creating a natural amphitheater of stone that changes color with each passing hour of sunlight.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not mentioned in the authoritative sources.
Sites SizeThe campground contains five campsites; however, specific information regarding the size of the sites is not provided.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy levels of campsites are not discussed in the available information.
Total Campsites5 campsites

Reserving a campsite

Groups
No information is provided about group sites at this campground.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutConsists of five campsites, picnic areas, horse corrals, and a trailhead leading to nearby interpretive regions.
Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability only; reservations cannot be made in advance.
Cancellation PolicyReservations are not available, so cancellation policies do not apply. However, for other locations, a $10 cancellation fee and forfeiture of the first night’s fees apply for cancellations made on the day before arrival.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

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.
Winter Activities
There is no discussion of winter activities in the source materials.
Water Sports
No non-motorized water sports opportunities are mentioned in the source materials.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards


Weather forecast

30
°F
Nov 25
Tuesday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%

Moderate wind, may affect light items

Humidity: 54%

Moderately humid conditions

Wind: 7.5 mph

Moderate wind, may affect light items

Clear sky

7 day forecast

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Emergency Services

Closest emergency services are located in Cody, WY, approximately 10 miles from the campground.

Good to know

Trash and recyclingThere is no explicit information on trash or recycling facilities available at the campground.
Proximity to water featuresLocated east of Bighorn Lake; possible proximity to horse watering trough.

Campground Map

Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY, 82414, USA
Driving directionsFrom Lovell, take Highway 14A for approximately 10 miles. Immediately after the causeway on the east side of Bighorn Lake, turn left onto John Blue Canyon Road/BLM Road #1122. Take the first road on the right, and travel this road for roughly five miles until you reach the campground and trailhead.
Accessible via paved Highway 14A and gravel John Blue Canyon Road/BLM Road #1122; road conditions to the campground appear manageable but not explicitly described as seasonal.
Nearby places
Lovell is approximately 10 miles away
Cody is the nearest city.
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are likely available in Cody, WY, approximately 10 miles away.

Camper Reviews

0.0
0 reviews
Limited 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

What Campers Love

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

Common Concerns

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

Pro Tips & Recommendations

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

Seasonal Insights

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

Camper Quotes

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

Site-Specific Reviews

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

Accessibility Features

Reviews regarding accessibility features are unavailable.

Pet-Friendly Features

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

Last updated November 24, 2025
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