Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/campground

Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations or fees. Road access may be limited during winter months depending on weather conditions.

About

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground is a small Bureau of Land Management facility located near the east shore of Bighorn Lake in northern Wyoming. This primitive campground features five campsites nestled among cottonwood trees along Cottonwood Creek, providing a tranquil setting for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, and the campground includes a vault toilet and food storage boxes for visitor convenience. The campground is particularly well-suited for equestrians, featuring four horse corrals and a horse watering trough. An interpretive kiosk at the trailhead provides information about the area. The campground serves as a gateway to trails that access Bighorn National Forest lands, making it an ideal base camp for hikers and horseback riders exploring the region. The setting offers a peaceful atmosphere away from developed areas. This is a first-come, first-served facility with no reservation system or fees. Visitors should come prepared for primitive conditions and pack out all trash. The campground is accessed via John Blue Canyon Road (BLM Road #1122) off Highway 14A, approximately 10 miles from Lovell.

Directions

From 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.

Nearby Campgrounds