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California

Cottonwood Creek

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

Inside Cleveland National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data

What's missing

No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

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Why you'll love it

27.3 mi run

Seasonal — can run dry

132 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow: 132 cfs
Average current: 1.5 ft/s
Gradient: 111.1 ft/mi
Drainage area: 299 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Cottonwood Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this water

Cottonwood Creek is a 27-mile paddling stretch near Potrero, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 132 cfs and a gradient of about 111.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: Wasquewhat, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sweetwater River

~22 min drive

Sweetwater River is a 47-mile paddling stretch near Alpine, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 66 cfs and a gradient of about 93.2 feet per mile.

Shelter Island Boat Launch

~1h 1m drive

Shelter Island Boat Launch is a boat launch in California.

Photo: Michael Krehan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

San Luis Rey River

~1h 22m drive

San Luis Rey River is a 58-mile paddling stretch near Pauma Valley, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 163 cfs and a gradient of about 76.7 feet per mile.

Ski Beach

~1h 3m drive

Ski Beach is a boat launch in California.

Boulder Creek

~37 min drive

Boulder Creek is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Julian, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 30 cfs and a gradient of about 314.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

San Diego River

~40 min drive

San Diego River is a 37-mile paddling stretch near Lakeside, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 117 cfs and a gradient of about 91.6 feet per mile.

Bow Willow Creek

~43 min drive

Bow Willow Creek is a 14-mile paddling stretch near Julian, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 33 cfs and a gradient of about 255.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the state park agency.

Carrizo Creek

~46 min drive

Carrizo Creek is a 28-mile paddling stretch near Julian, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 40 cfs and a gradient of about 83.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the state park agency.

Santa Ysabel Creek

~55 min drive

Santa Ysabel Creek is a 32-mile paddling stretch near Ramona, California. It is ephemeral and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 76 cfs and a gradient of about 146.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

San Dieguito River

~1h 7m drive

San Dieguito River is a 13-mile paddling stretch near San Diego, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 83 cfs and a gradient of about 18.7 feet per mile.

Also worth it near here

Gun Slinger

~5 min drive