Utah · Hiking

Cottonwood

11.0 mi
round trip
2,529 ft
climb
8,335 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Cottonwood open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Fishlake National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Fishlake National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cottonwood is a hard hike in the Richfield Ranger District of Fishlake National Forest in Utah, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 11 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,529 feet, taking you from a low point of about 5,856 feet to a high of about 8,335 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Salina, which sits a few hundred feet lower than the high point, show July highs around 80°F with lows near 53°F, while winter highs stay in the low 30s. The trail is on natural surface and bikes are allowed. The Great Western Trail - Utah lies about 1.4 miles away, and Salina Creek offers canoeing about 3 miles off. For an overnight base, Salina Creek Second Crossing Trailhead is about 7 miles away, and the Toddler Wall climbing area is about 8 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Cottonwood

    Best months: May–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

      33° / 16°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 18°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 24°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    5. May

      61° / 37°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 45°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 53°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 51°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 43°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 33°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 22°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 15°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Salina 24 E, UT, 15.7 mi away at 7,560 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.