Arizona · Hiking

Cottonwood Creek Trail

Cottonwood Creek TrailPhoto: niklas.tenhaef1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.2 mi
round trip
2,526 ft
climb
4,880 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Cottonwood Creek Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Canyon National Park. It doesn't name Cottonwood Creek Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Grand Canyon National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cottonwood Creek Trail is a hard hike in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, managed by the National Park Service. It is an out-and-back route of about 3.2 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 2,526 feet, and it starts near 4,880 feet, the highest point of the trip. The trail is set at the upper end of the canyon, where the climb is steep and the descent just as long. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.55 miles into the route, with a grade of around 43 percent, and the whole trip returns to the starting point, so the full 2,526 feet is covered twice. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Williams show May highs around 73°F and October highs near 68°F, while July averages about 88°F and January lows drop to around 23°F. That station sits about 1,110 feet lower than the trail, so expect temperatures on the trail to run cooler. A fee is charged, and bikes are not allowed. The trail is about 0.1 mile from Hance Creek Trail and Horseshoe Mesa East Trail, and East Tonto is about 0.7 mile away. For climbing, Moran Point is roughly 3 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Cottonwood Creek Trail

    Best months: April–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      45° / 23°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 25°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 29°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      64° / 34°

      3 wet

    5. May

      73° / 41°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 50°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 57°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 56°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 49°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 39°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 29°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 22°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Williams 35 Nnw, AZ, 27.3 mi away at 5,990 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors