Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest campground
Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest
Reservations are accepted at Cottonwood Lake campground, allowing campers to secure their preferred campsite ahead of time. However, it should be noted that some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's recommended to arrive early during peak seasons.
The best time to visit Cottonwood Lake is during the summer months when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hiking. The campground is located near the lake, offering opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of fish species, including walleye and crappie. Hikers can explore the surrounding Bowstring State Forest and its scenic trails.
While enjoying your stay at Cottonwood Lake, be cautious of wildlife encounters, including bears and ticks. It's recommended to store food securely and use insect repellent to avoid any unwanted interactions. Overall, Cottonwood Lake in Bowstring State Forest provides a beautiful setting for camping, with its amenities, reservation options, and seasonal recreational opportunities.
What's on-site at Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest
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 Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowstring State Forest-- Cottonwood Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Bowstring State F -Orest Moose Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Moose Lake - Bowstring State Forest | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Pug Hole Wayside Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| North Star Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 202 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 217 cfs | → |
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 618 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,240 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids 12n | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Marcell 0.7 Nnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Bovey 13.4 N | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Pokegana Lk Dam | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Coleraine 0.7 S | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Bovey 3.5 S | 0.0 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.
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 Lake - Bowstring State Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest
Can I make reservations at Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest?
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 Lake - Bowstring State Forest?
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 Cottonwood Lake - Bowstring State Forest.