Collbran - Cottonwood Lake campground
Collbran - Cottonwood Lake
Reservations for the Collbran - Cottonwood Lake camping area are not accepted, making it a first-come, first-served campground. It is advisable to arrive early, especially during peak camping seasons, to secure a spot. The best time to visit this camping area is from late spring to early fall when the weather is pleasant and the area is accessible. It is important to note that the campground is at a higher elevation, so it can get cold at night, even during the summer months.
Campers in the Collbran - Cottonwood Lake camping area can explore a variety of activities and attractions. The nearby Cottonwood Lake is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Hiking enthusiasts can embark on scenic trails, such as the Collbran Creek Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. However, it is essential to be cautious while camping in this area, as encounters with wildlife, such as bears, may occur. It is crucial to properly store food and dispose of trash to avoid attracting animals and maintain a safe camping experience.
What's on-site at Collbran - Cottonwood Lake
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Collbran - Cottonwood Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Crag Crest Campground - Grand Valley Rd | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Eggleston | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Kiser Creek | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Carp Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Collbran - Cottonwood Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 19 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 38 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 43 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 24 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cameo | 2,560 cfs | → |
| Colo River Blw Grd Valley Div Nr Palisade Co | 925 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Collbran - Cottonwood Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Reservoir | 22.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Park Reservoir | 20.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Mesa Lakes | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Mesa Lakes | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Mesa 5sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Collbran 2sw | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Vega State Park
- Grand Mesa National Forest
- Peach Valley Park
- Confluence Park
- Sweitzer Lake State Park
- James M Robb Colorado River State Park
Boat launches
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Big Creek Reservoir Boat Launch Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 121 Mesa County
- Z Road Delta County
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
Fishing spots
- Cottonwood Lake #4 (Grand Mesa)
- Cottonwood Lake #1 (Grand Mesa)
- Neversweat Reservoir
- Silver Lake (Grand Mesa)
- Forty Acre Lake
- Hotel Twin Lake
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Collbran - Cottonwood Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Collbran - Cottonwood Lake
Can I make reservations at Collbran - Cottonwood Lake?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Collbran - Cottonwood Lake?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Collbran - Cottonwood Lake.