Cottonwood Grove Campground
Open year-round, first-come, first-served. Access via South River Road requires a high-clearance vehicle and is impassable when wet. No potable water available; campers must bring their own. Maximum stay is 7 days.
Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 1:19PM MDT until July 1 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area. In Utah, Fire Weather Zone 491 Southeast Utah. * TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 1:19PM MDT until June 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area. In Utah, Fire Weather Zone 491 Southeast Utah. * TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 30 at 1:19PM MDT until July 2 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area. In Utah, Fire Weather Zone 491 Southeast Utah. * TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
About
Cottonwood Grove Campground sits among mature cottonwood trees along the Gunnison River within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. The campground provides direct river access for anglers and paddlers, with a boat ramp accommodating non-motorized watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and rafts. The setting offers a quiet, primitive camping experience in one of Colorado's notable river corridors. The campground has six campsites, including one ADA-accessible site adjacent to an accessible fishing pier. Each site features a shade structure, picnic table, and fire ring. A vault toilet serves the campground. There is no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply. Camping is free on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum stay of 7 days (6 nights). Access to Cottonwood Grove requires a high-clearance vehicle. South River Road is a graded natural-surface road that is passable when dry but becomes impassable when wet. The campground is located 4 miles down South River Road from Smith Mountain Saddle.
Directions
From Austin, Colorado, drive south on 2200 Road for 0.9 miles. Turn left onto H75 Road (signed for Gunnison Gorge NCA). Follow H75 Road, a well-maintained gravel road, for 2.8 miles to enter the NCA. Continue 0.2 miles to Smith Mountain Saddle (4-way intersection). Turn slight right onto South River Road toward West River Trailhead. Follow the graded natural-surface road 4 miles to the campground. High-clearance vehicle required; road is impassable when wet.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 240-5300 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!