Bureau of Land Management · Idaho
Cottonwood Campground
Bureau of Land Management · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 13
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,705 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 208-879-6200
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing
About
BLM campground. 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 2 walk-in tent sites with picnic tables & fire rings Potable water & vault toilets Day-Use pavilion with horseshoe pits, large picnic tables, campfire ring, and grill Boat ramp and trailer parking area Seasonal campground host
Know Before You Go: Reliable cell service Water hook-ups on select campsites
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a group event, or a stop along your river journey, Cottonwood Recreation Site blends comfort, convenience, and natural beauty.
Stay limit: 14 Days.
Fees
Campsites: $10 per night Reservable covered group shelter: $25 per day Dump Station: $10 for non-campers, $5 for campers
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 15° | -5° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 34° | 18° | -8° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 25° | 10° | 63° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 46° | 31° | 10° | 64° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 62° | 41° | 29° | 76° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 52° | 38° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 63° | 45° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 87° | 62° | 47° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 52° | 37° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 58° | 37° | 24° | 77° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 45° | 30° | -17° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 31° | 13° | -6° | 48° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Morgan Creek Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 7 mi · 4 sites
- Challis Hot Springs State Park · Idaho State Parks · 11 mi · 68 sites
- West Fork Morgan Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Morse Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi
- Iron Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi
All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-28. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.