Cottonwood Campground
Rifle Gap State Park
Write a Review 5775 CO-325 Rifle, CO 81650 970-625-1607 Reservations: 800-244-5613 Official WebsiteGPS: 39.6333, -107.7439
Overview of Cottonwood Campground
Park entrance fee required in addition of campsite fee. Learn more about fees here.
Last Price Paid: $36
Reported by Christopher on 5/30/2023
Longest RV Reported: 39 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Mick & Karla on 9/23/2021
Number of Sites 8
Pad Type concrete
Reservations yes
Elevation 5,971 ft / 1,819 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 970-625-1607
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Reviews of Cottonwood Campground 5 people have reviewed this location.
“Great Quick Stay”
Reviewed 5/30/2023
Nightly rate: | $36 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 5 |
We were only here one night but it was very enjoyable. We got in pretty late (around 7:00) so didn’t get to enjoy too much of the area after getting the pop up set up. The covered picnic table was great and the fire ring was close but far enough away from the camper that it didn’t blow smoke in. The back in spot (space 5) was nice and... more
We were only here one night but it was very enjoyable. We got in pretty late (around 7:00) so didn’t get to enjoy too much of the area after getting the pop up set up. The covered picnic table was great and the fire ring was close but far enough away from the camper that it didn’t blow smoke in. The back in spot (space 5) was nice and level. There was a little path behind our space that I think goes to the other campsites, my son and I only walked a little ways in the morning before we left. Bathrooms were nice and clean, although the showers were not working when we were there. Overall I really enjoyed our stay! Would stay here again.
Christopher would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Enjoyed this State Park ”
Reviewed 9/23/2021
Nightly rate: | $36 |
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Days stayed: | 8 |
Site Number: | 5 |
RV Length: | 39' (Fifth Wheel) |
We followed our RV GPS and arrived at the state park with no issues. Check in was quick and easy. We had to pay the $9 a day entry fee upon arrival and our rate doesn't reflect that fee. We proceed to Cottonwood Campground (CG) where we had back-in site 5 with water and 50 AMP. Back-in was easy and the sites in this small area a... more
We followed our RV GPS and arrived at the state park with no issues. Check in was quick and easy. We had to pay the $9 a day entry fee upon arrival and our rate doesn't reflect that fee. We proceed to Cottonwood Campground (CG) where we had back-in site 5 with water and 50 AMP. Back-in was easy and the sites in this small area are very nice with a covered patio and spacious spacing between sites, but no sewer. As we did not plan on using our poop tote, we used their restroom and shower house. Showers cost $1 for first 4 minutes then $.25 for additional minutes. Verizon signal was basically nonexistent. We did get some signal on AT&T, but only early mornings. Down at the park entrance/visitors center, you can get a decent Verizon signal. The reservoir was way down and not easily accessible from our CG, so we launched our kayak from the boat launch at the end of the park. The large Lake View CG up on the hill has FHU sites, but we really liked the quietness of the small Cottonwood loop with only 8 sites. There are other campground loop areas as well from FHUs to primitive. We enjoyed seeing deer everyday and the peacefulness as everyone camping at Cottonwood during our stay (that included Labor Day weekend) was quiet and respectful. There is a nice trail that goes up the hill near the restroom/bathhouse towards Lake View CG that winds back around and ends back at Cottonwood CG.
Mick & Karla would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“No more water”
Reviewed 8/29/2021
Nightly rate: | $36 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 006 (Cottonwood) |
This park used to be absolutely great because it had a beach and you could swim in the lake. With low water levels, the beach is useless. You can try and walk to the water, but you will sink deep in mud. Swimming is out, and that's very unfortunate. Park is very clean and quiet, and it still has nice views with the little water that is... more
This park used to be absolutely great because it had a beach and you could swim in the lake. With low water levels, the beach is useless. You can try and walk to the water, but you will sink deep in mud. Swimming is out, and that's very unfortunate. Park is very clean and quiet, and it still has nice views with the little water that is left. We stayed in Cottonwood 006 - used to be by the water, but the lake doesn't reach Cottonwood campground anymore.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lakeside camping.”
Reviewed 5/18/2020
Nightly rate: | $44 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | Cottonwood #5 |
RV Length: | 16' (Pop Up Camper) |
Cottonwood is one of about 4 or 5 campgrounds at Rifle Gap State Park and closest to the entrance and the water. it also is limited in sites so that makes it nice and quite. There is a newly formed trail for hiking and biking that connects most of the other campgrounds as well. Boat ramps and a swim beach round out the amenities avail... more
Cottonwood is one of about 4 or 5 campgrounds at Rifle Gap State Park and closest to the entrance and the water. it also is limited in sites so that makes it nice and quite.
There is a newly formed trail for hiking and biking that connects most of the other campgrounds as well. Boat ramps and a swim beach round out the amenities available.
Camp sites are nice with shaded structures under picnic tables, some even have a dump traps.
Best cell service is on the upper sites. I had no service down by the lake.
Randyman would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Simply Beautiful”
Reviewed 5/28/2019
Nightly rate: | $26 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 5 |
RV Length: | 25' (Class C) |
We ended up at Rifle Gap State Park as a result of a late May snowstorm closing Interstate 70 at Vail Pass. We had just completed a week of camping at Colorado National Monument in Fruita, CO and were racing the storm eastward as we were heading home. Fortunately for us, the storm beat us to Vail Pass, closing the highway and forcing ... more
We ended up at Rifle Gap State Park as a result of a late May snowstorm closing Interstate 70 at Vail Pass. We had just completed a week of camping at Colorado National Monument in Fruita, CO and were racing the storm eastward as we were heading home. Fortunately for us, the storm beat us to Vail Pass, closing the highway and forcing us to divert to Rifle Gap State Park until it was opened back up.
Since it was early season and mid-week, we had no problem in getting a campsite without a reservation. The campground is divided into 5 loops with Lakeview Loop offering full hookups, Cottonwood offering sites with electric and dedicated water hookups, Cedar offering sites with electric and shared water spigots, and Piñon and Sage offering undeveloped sites with no hookups.
All loops offer modern restrooms with Cottonwood and Lakeview offering showers as well.
While it may seem counterintuitive, Lakeview Loop is the loop that is farthest away from the lake as it sits on a hill to the north of the water. It is an easy walk to the shore from Lakeview, but the other loops will put you much closer to the shoreline with Piñon, Cedar and Cottonwood being right on the shoreline.
We chose campsite #8 in Cottonwood mainly because we wanted to try and get some fishing in during our short stay, and the water access was very convenient from this location.
The site offered a level concrete pad with an asphalt drive. There was a sheltered picnic table And fire ring as well.
The park and lake were simply beautiful. During our stay, the park was lush and green from the spring rains, and the surrounding ridge line protected the park from the winter storm raging just a few miles away.
Note that the pictures in the gallery of the tri-stream waterfalls are not from Rifle Gap State Park, they are from nearby Rifle Falls State Park, which offers limited camping opportunities. The Ranger told us Rifle Falls State Park was only about 4 miles away, so it would be a nice hike or bike ride from this park to the falls.
We had zero Verizon or ATT coverage in the campground, yet about a mile away at the visitor’s center, there were 5 bars of Verizon. They must have some kind of repeater or amplifier there because one you got more than 20 feet in any direction from the building, you are back to zero coverage.
We absolutely would stay here again, and are very grateful that Mother Nature changed our plans for us!
ColoradoNittany would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- recreation trail
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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