Camping Area

Cottonwood 4 campground

Colorado, USA Colorado Headwaters watershed 39.189°, -108.896°
Today high
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Tonight low
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Reservations
No
Nearby campsites
6
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Cottonwood 4 -- Colorado campground
Cottonwood 4 Colorado · Colorado Headwaters watershed
About this campground

Cottonwood 4

Cottonwood 4 Campsite is a primitive, reservable, fee-based campground located in the Colorado headwaters-Plateau watershed of Colorado. It is situated near the south fork of the Rio Grande River, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and wilderness. The campsite is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who come to enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching in the nearby Rio Grande National Forest.

The campground provides several amenities, including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. However, there is no potable water, so visitors should bring their own or treat water from the river. The campsite is suitable for tents and small RVs, but there are no electric or water hookups available.

There are several nearby points of interest worth exploring, such as the Rio Grande Pyramid, which is a popular hiking destination with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The area is also popular for fishing, with several streams and rivers nearby that offer excellent opportunities for catching trout.

The best time to visit Cottonwood 4 Campsite is from June to September when the weather is pleasant, and the temperatures range from 50°F to 80°F. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather, as the area is known for its unpredictable weather patterns.

Interesting facts about the area include that it is home to the headwaters of the mighty Rio Grande River, which is one of the longest and most important rivers in North America. The area is also known for its rich mining history, with several abandoned mining towns and ghost towns nearby.

In conclusion, Cottonwood 4 Campsite is a beautiful and peaceful place to camp, surrounded by stunning views of the Colorado headwaters-Plateau watershed. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching while exploring the nearby Rio Grande National Forest and other points of interest. The best time to visit is from June to September, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 80°F.
StateColorado
WatershedColorado Headwaters
Latitude39.1891°
Longitude-108.8957°
Amenities

What's on-site at Cottonwood 4

Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.

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Reservations
First-come, first-served
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Toilets
Not listed
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Showers
Not listed
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Fire rings
Check rules
Detailed forecast

Plan your trip down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

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
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.

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Nearby campgrounds

Other campgrounds in the area

Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Cottonwood 4, with reservations status.

Campground Reservations Toilets View
Cottonwood 5
Cottonwood 3
Cottonwood 2
Cottonwood 1
Banjo
Live water

Nearby streamflow

USGS streamgauges within reach of Cottonwood 4 -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.

Snowpack

Nearby snow depths

NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Cottonwood 4 -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.

SNOTEL station Snowpack 24h Snowfall View
Grand Junction 4.0 W 0.0 in 0.0 in
Redlands 1.4 Sse 0.0 in 0.0 in
Grand Junction 3.6 W 0.0 in 0.0 in
Glade Park 0.0 in 0.0 in
Grand Junction 0.0 in 0.0 in
Wfo Grand Junction 0.0 in 0.0 in

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 Cottonwood 4 as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Cottonwood 4

Can I make reservations at Cottonwood 4?

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 Cottonwood 4?

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.

More camping

Other campgrounds near here

Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Cottonwood 4.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save campgrounds, set thresholds, and get push notifications when conditions change.

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Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

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