Copyright: Amy Pyle-Interactive Outdoors, Inc.
Hand-propelled boats only may access the waters of this 37-acre alpine lake
Cottonwood Lake lies south of Cottonwood Pass along the South Cottonwood drainage. The lake covers 37 acres that accommodate nonmotorized boats. Fishing is good in the lake and various streams in the area. A campground and picnic ground exist in the immediate area of the lake. Hiking, biking and four-wheel driving may be enjoyed in the surrounding terrain.
Directions from Buena Vista: Drive west 7 miles on Highway 306 (Cottonwood Pass). Turn left (south) on County Road 344, immediately west of Rainbow Lake, for 4 miles to Cottonwood Lake.
Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available:
Mid-May through September
(NOTE: Picnic ground on east side of lake, campground on west side of lake)
.
Normally Accessible:
October through December
(NOTE: services limited (no water or trash))
.
Current Conditions & Trip Reports
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Filed By: Rasta
( Colorado Springs, CO)
Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: easy drive fishing was good Conditions: no adverse conditions Water Availability: na
Recreation Opportunities
Activity
Remarks
On Site
Backpacking
Cottonwood Lake - Colorado Trail
No
Hand Powered Boating
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Camping
Cottonwood Lake - Cottonwood Lake Campground
Yes
Family Camping
Cottonwood Lake - Cottonwood Lake Campground
Yes
RV Camping
Cottonwood Lake - Cottonwood Lake Campground
Yes
Automobile Travel
Cottonwood Lake - Cottonwood Pass
No
Cold Water Fishing
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Fishing
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Four-Wheel Driving
Cottonwood Lake - upper South Cottonwood Road
Yes
Hiking & Walking
Cottonwood Lake - Popular Gulch Trail, Colorado Trail, Mt. Yale Trail, Hartenstein Trail, Browns Pass Trail
Yes
Horseback Riding
Cottonwood Lake - Popular Gulch Trail, Colorado Trail, Mt. Yale Trail, Hartenstein Trail, Browns Pass Trail
Yes
Animal Identification
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Bird Identification
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Wildflower Identification
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Mountain Biking
Cottonwood Lake - Colorado Trail, South Cottonwood Road
Yes
Canoeing
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Picnicking
Cottonwood Lake - Cottonwood Lake Picnic Ground
Yes
Scenic Driving
Cottonwood Lake - Cottonwood Pass
Yes
Viewing Scenery
Cottonwood Lake
Yes
Related Activities
Colorado Trail (Clear Creek to North Cottonwood Cr - Segment 12 of the Colorado Trail leads 18 miles south from Clear Creek Road to North Cottonwood Creek Road. Opportunity exists to hike the lofty peaks of Mts. Harvard and Columbia from this section of the trail.
Cottonwood Lake Campground - The immediate area surrounding Cottonwood Lake Campground is wooded by small aspen trees. The site is located in the central Rocky Mountains.
Poplar Gulch Trail - The Poplar Gulch Trail leads north miles from St. Elmo to South Cottonwood Creek. It traverses 2 scenic valleys and over a high saddle for views of the Sawatch Mountain Range.
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