North Dakota · Hiking

Cottonwood

13.9 mi
round trip
2,347 ft
climb
2,602 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Cottonwood open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Dakota Prairie Grasslands.

As of · Source: USFS · Dakota Prairie Grasslands. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cottonwood is a hard hike of about 13.9 miles on natural surface in the McKenzie Ranger District of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, managed by the Forest Service in North Dakota. It is an out-and-back route that starts near 2,585 feet and climbs to about 2,602 feet before returning, with a steady profile and a total gain of about 2,347 feet. The steepest stretch comes around mile 2.3, where the grade reaches 18%. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Grassy Butte run from highs of about 75°F in June to about 72°F in September, while winter brings highs in the mid-20s and regular snow days from December through February. The route allows horses and bikes. Nearby, the Maah Daah Hey - North Dakota hike is about a mile away, Bennett Campground is about 3.3 miles off, and the Bennett and Long X hikes sit within about 7 miles.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Cottonwood

    Best months: May–September. 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

      24° / 6°

      7 wet · 7 snow

    2. Feb

      28° / 10°

      6 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      41° / 19°

      7 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      55° / 30°

      8 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      66° / 40°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 50°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 55°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 54°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 45°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 32°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      39° / 20°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 10°

      7 wet · 7 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grassy Butte 2ene, ND, 7.6 mi away at 2,670 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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