About Cottonwood Recreation Site
Nestled among shady groves of cottonwood trees along the scenic Upper Salmon River, Cottonwood Recreation Site offers a peaceful setting for camping, fishing, and river access. The campground provides 13 spacious campsites and two walk-in tent sites, each equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. In addition to camping, Cottonwood features a welcoming day-use area with a reservable covered pavilion—perfect for family gatherings, group events, or simply relaxing riverside. The pavilion is equipped with water, electricity, grills, a firepit, and even a horseshoe pit for a bit of friendly competition. A boat ramp provides easy access to the Salmon River for fishing or floating adventures, making Cottonwood an excellent base for exploring Central Idaho’s renowned waters. Campground Amenities: - 13 first-come, first-served campsites with picnic tables & fire rings…
- Fees: Campsites: $10 per night Reservable covered group shelter: $25 per day Dump Station: $10 for non-campers, $5 for campers
- Managed by: Salmon River, BLM
- Where: 13 mi northeast of Challis, ID · 44.66778, -114.07944
Things to do:
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: May–Jun & Sep (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Oct–Apr.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Trails near camp
| Trail | Open to | From camp | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat Creek | ATV road | 3.0 mi | 13.1 mi |
Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.
Good to know
No signal at camp
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way casts shadows and the sky is crowded with stars.
Class 1 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Dump station: 0.1 mi
Water fill-up: 11.1 mi
Camps nearby
- Ellis 2.2 mi
- Deer Gulch Campground 2.8 mi
- Watts Bridge Campground 4.1 mi
- Campsite · 18 mi NE of Challis 4.4 mi
- Colston Creek Campground 7.2 mi
- Challis Hot Springs RV Park 11 mi