Colorado · Camping · Near Clifton

Cottonwood 4

Cottonwood 4Photo: Figure8, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
best months
  • At 4,422 ft
  • Black Ridge Canyons WildernessGrand Junction Field Office

Cottonwood 4 is a Bureau of Land Management campground in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, within the Grand Junction Field Office of the BLM in western Colorado. It sits among a cluster of numbered Cottonwood campgrounds, with Cottonwood 3 and Cottonwood 5 each about 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Fruita weather station show May highs around 78°F and October highs around 69°F, while July averages climb to about 95°F. The Troy Built Trail and Lions Loop Trail are both within a mile, and the Government Cheese Area climbing spot is about 3.4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Cottonwood 4

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Wienerschnitzel

    Fast food

    On your way back · 8 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Clifton

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–May, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Cottonwood 4

    Best months: April–May and September–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

      39° / 15°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 21°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 29°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      67° / 35°

      5 wet

    5. May

      78° / 45°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 52°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      95° / 60°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 58°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 48°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 36°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 25°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 16°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fruita, CO, 9.5 mi away at 4,498 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more campsites worth the drive

Cottonwood 2Photo: Figure8, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cottonwood 2

Next door

Cottonwood-shaded Colorado campground ideal for fishing and high country recreation.

BanjoPhoto: Figure8, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Banjo

Next door

Rustic Colorado campground with primitive sites and backcountry access.

Salt Creek 1Photo: Missvain, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Salt Creek 1

~2 min drive

Rustic Colorado campground offering primitive camping in the scenic Salt Creek area.

Salt Creek 2Photo: Missvain, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Salt Creek 2

~2 min drive

Primitive creek-side campground offering first-come, first-served camping in Colorado.

Beaver Tail 2Photo: jimmy thomas from Seattle, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Beaver Tail 2

~4 min drive

Primitive first-come campground in Colorado's natural landscape.

Beaver Tail 1Photo: jimmy thomas from Seattle, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Beaver Tail 1

~4 min drive

Primitive Colorado campground with first-come availability in a scenic natural setting.

RattlesnakePhoto: jimmy thomas from Seattle, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rattlesnake

~4 min drive

Rustic Colorado campground with easy access to hiking and outdoor recreation.

Mee CornerPhoto: Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mee Corner

~6 min drive

Rustic, first-come Colorado campground for outdoor recreation and scenic camping.

Dog IslandPhoto: Missvain, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dog Island

~9 min drive

Island campground in Colorado with tent and RV sites for water recreation access.

Black Rocks 1Photo: Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Black Rocks 1

~10 min drive

Primitive Colorado campground nestled among dramatic rock formations.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors