Cottonwood Campground
Navajo Lake State Park
Write a Review CR-4280 Navajo Dam, NM 87419 505-632-2278 Reservations: 877-664-7787 Official WebsiteGPS: 36.8109, -107.6773
Overview of Cottonwood Campground
Last Price Paid: $18
Reported by Apee13 on 11/3/2024
Longest RV Reported: 45 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Haznavy on 6/25/2021
Number of Sites 47
Pad Type asphalt
Reservations yes
Elevation 5,675 ft / 1,729 m
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Cottonwood Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 505-632-2278
Bert asked on 5/6/2022
Are reservations required to stay at Cottonwood Campground - Navajo Lake State Park? Thanks!
Reviews of Cottonwood Campground 16 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 6 Users
Last reported 10/11/2023
Confirmed by 7 Users
Last reported 7/28/2024
“Quiet”
Reviewed 3/7/2021
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 39 |
Overall Rating
Clean, nice, campground. Easy walking to the River. The only ding would be no showers in the restrooms. Do not expect WiFi or good cell service for data. Comes with the territory. Really rough dirt road for about 1.5 miles to access this campground.
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Verizon 4G
JPhelps would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet”
Reviewed 3/7/2021
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 39 |
Overall Rating
Clean, nice, campground. Easy walking to the River. The only ding would be no showers in the restrooms. Do not expect WiFi or good cell service for data. Comes with the territory. Really rough dirt road for about 1.5 miles to access this campground.
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Verizon 4G
JPhelps would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Like this place - Would like to camp and fish here”
Reviewed 11/5/2020
| Nightly rate: | $16 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 27 |
Overall Rating
We made reservations at three different New Mexico State Parks and spent a total of $56 dollars through Reserve America this fall. We had planned to stay at three different parks during the month of October, and made our reservations in mid-July. We made these reservations in good faith, and found out later the State had closed Parks t... more
We made reservations at three different New Mexico State Parks and spent a total of $56 dollars through Reserve America this fall. We had planned to stay at three different parks during the month of October, and made our reservations in mid-July. We made these reservations in good faith, and found out later the State had closed Parks to out of state visitors, with an order that was eventually extended affected our reservations. The State of New Mexico canceled our reservations (we had no intention of cancelling) and ended up charging us a 50% cancellation fee and refunding the remaining $28. There reason for withholding 50% is due to a Reserve America transaction fee. But Reserve America is serving as New Mexico’s agent so its the same as the State Parks taking the money. $28 isn’t much money, neither is the $56 dollars but its the principle of it. Through no fault of ours, New Mexico has collected $28 dollars from us for doing absolutely nothing. No credit issued, no apology. We love NM State Parks but will certainly think twice before ever planning to stay in one again since they seem more interested in our money than developing long term relationships
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Duane would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet weekend fishing destination”
Reviewed 6/8/2019
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | 45 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This state park is clean, quiet, and very affordable, and seems to be a favorite weekend destination for locals. It was barely half full during the week during our visit but full on weekends. The main activity here is fishing, either in the San Juan River or at Navajo Lake above the dam. Note that the drive from this campground up to t... more
This state park is clean, quiet, and very affordable, and seems to be a favorite weekend destination for locals. It was barely half full during the week during our visit but full on weekends. The main activity here is fishing, either in the San Juan River or at Navajo Lake above the dam. Note that the drive from this campground up to the lake portion is around 10 miles. This is also probably a prime birdwatching location. Our site was level, utilities (electric + water) worked well, and site separation was adequate though not exceptional. One thing we really enjoyed was the blazing fast AT&T service (Download 44.62 Mbps, Upload 5.68 Mbps). It helps being able to see the tower, I suppose.
The sites on the eastern end of the loop (roughly sites 8 through 29) have many more trees, which would be great for shade in the summer even if the cottonwoods have a tendency to drop sap. None of the campground sites really have a river view, though some have footpaths to walk down to the river. The best river access is in the day use area around the corner from the campground.
Reasons for less than 5 stars:
- No showers (though there are flush toilets)
- No meaningful trails in the vicinity despite lots of public land. The Simon Canyon trail is a few miles further down the dirt access road, but the trail is only 0.8 miles each direction. The San Juan River trail at the same trailhead was overgrown and barely usable when we visited.
- Road in from 173 is unpaved for 2 miles and in pretty rough shape.
- Significant drive back to Aztec for gas and groceries (come prepared)
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AT&T 4G
Zamia Ventures would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Love this place. ”
Reviewed 10/27/2018
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 22 |
Overall Rating
Pros: Lots of shade, clean, water and electric hook ups with dump station on the way out. Great AT&T cell service. Water toilets.
Cons: No shower facilities. Dump area is tight for bigger rigs. Dirt washboard road to park entrance.
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AT&T 4G
Mike would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Didn't want to leave”
Reviewed 2/21/2018
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
The only reason why I didn't give this campsite a 5 was because they are doing works just up the river from the campground which ends the main walking trail. From memory, they should be finished in April 2018. We initially drove up to Navajo Dam and took a look around the campground at the top. It was windy and cold with nowhere to ... more
The only reason why I didn't give this campsite a 5 was because they are doing works just up the river from the campground which ends the main walking trail. From memory, they should be finished in April 2018.
We initially drove up to Navajo Dam and took a look around the campground at the top. It was windy and cold with nowhere to really walk around, sites were really close together, but had some had absolute stunning views.
The Cottonwood campground is SO lovely with the cottonwood trees and San Juan River running past with people fishing. Sites are well spaced, clean and quite private depending on the site you choose. There are two toilet facilities, however only one is in use for the Winter period. No showers. No hookups down here. There was a sign to be aware of a Bear! But one never knocked on our door so we are not sure how old the sign was.
Dirt road drive from main road is quite rough, be prepared but worth it. No phone signal with T-Mobile.
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T-Mobile
Aleisha would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- fishing
- picnic area
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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Reservations Required Online (Min $10 night + $8 online booking)
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