After our first night of boondocking at Simon Canyon Recreation Area, Tom booked a campsite at Cottonwood Campground. We discovered Cottonwood Campground last spring during our first trip to this area. It’s one of several campgrounds in Navajo Lake State Park. Our main reason for booking a few nights at the campground was because Tom scheduled a guided fly fishing float down the San Juan River and the guide was willing to bring Tom to and from the campground, but not Simon Canyon. This meant I could relax at the campsite without having to pack up the camper to drive Tom to and from the boat launch sites.
Location
Cottonwood Campground is located among beautiful cottonwood trees in a bend of the San Juan River. It’s just a few miles downstream from Simon Canyon Recreation Area and about 5 miles downstream from Navajo Lake. The drive from the lake, however, is about 9 miles because you have to take Highway 511 down one side of the river, cross over on Highway 173, then drive up the other side of the river on County Road 4280.
The county road is unpaved and can get a little slick when wet. Fortunately it’s only 1.5 miles to the campground turnoff, which is paved. Turning right at the Navajo Lake State Park sign will take you to Cottonwood Campground. If you continue straight on the dirt road you’ll reach a dead-end at Simon Canyon Recreation Area.
Fee
Cottonwood Campground isn’t free, like Simon Canyon Recreation Area. But, it’s very reasonable considering what it includes. The fee, at the time of this post, is only $15/night. Plus, your receipt gives you access to all the other fee areas within Navajo Lake State Park including other campgrounds and day use areas. You must make reservations online or by calling 1-877-664-7787. You should plan ahead because, depending on your cell provider, you may not have cell coverage at the campground. We had no reception with T-Mobile but we had great reception with AT&T.
When you arrive at your campsite, you’ll find two printed copies of your receipt attached to the post with the site number. One copy stays there and the other is to keep with you if you want access other areas of the park without paying additional fees.
Campsites
The campsites at Cottonwood Campground are large with plenty of open space between them.
They each have a picnic table and fire pit. Many sites also have a covered shelter. Most sites have hookups for water and electric but they don’t have sewer hookups. Instead, you can use the restroom facilities and the shared dump station near the entrance.
Facilities
The campground has two nice buildings with restrooms. One is near the entrance and the other is near the river. The buildings do not have showers. However, your receipt allows you to access the Pine Campground, at the lake, which does have showers.
Large dumpsters are located at each end of the campground and the dump station is near the entrance.
There’s also a group picnic shelter near the entrance which requires a separate reservation.
River access
Several trails lead from the campground to the river bank.
You can walk along the river for a good distance in each direction. I’ve walked as far north as Simon Canyon. It gets a bit tricky in a few spots but it’s doable.
Wildlife
During our stays at Cottonwood Campground, we’ve seen beavers, muskrats, osprey and various waterfowl. And, during our most recent visit, the wild turkeys paraded across our campsite many times each day.
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