Oregon · Hiking · Near Mount Hood Villages

Cottonwood Meadows

4.4 mi
round trip
1,344 ft
climb
4,361 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 8 h ago

Is Cottonwood Meadows open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Clackamas River Ranger District. It doesn't name Cottonwood Meadows, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Clackamas River Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cottonwood Meadows is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 4.4 miles in the Clackamas River Ranger District of Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. The trail is natural-surfaced and climbs from a low point of about 3,827 feet to a high of about 4,361 feet, with a total gain of roughly 1,344 feet for the round trip. The steepest stretch comes within the first 0.6 miles, with a grade of about 21 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Government Camp show July and August highs around 70°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and rain on most days. The hike takes about two hours. Rimrock Trail #704 is half a mile away, and Hideaway Lake and Shell Rock Lake are both within about a mile. Shellrock Creek, a canoeing spot, lies about 1.8 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Hideaway Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Underwater Viewing Chamber

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Mount Hood Villages

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Cottonwood Meadows

    Best months: June–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

      37° / 26°

      20 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 26°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 28°

      20 wet

    4. Apr

      45° / 31°

      18 wet

    5. May

      54° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      59° / 41°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 48°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      64° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 37°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 30°

      18 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 26°

      21 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Government Camp, OR, 17.3 mi away at 3,980 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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