Cottonwood Lake, Colorado - Elevation 9,552 Feet

Cottonwood Lake is located inside South Cottonwood Canyon in the San Isabel National Forest, approximately eight miles west of Buena Vista, Colorado.

Standing at 9,552 feet in elevation, the lake and its surrounding area offer a multitude of outdoor activities including fishing, camping, kayaking, hiking and 4-wheeling in the summer, and snowmobiling, cross-county skiing, ice skating and ice fishing in the winter.

The trailheads to many nearby Colorado "fourteeners" are within a short driving distance from Cottonwood Lake. Below are photos, camping information and three videos to inspire you.

Cottonwood Lake

Ice Hockey In November

Scenic Drive To Cottonwood Lake

Summer Camping At The Lake (By Megan K. in Austin, Texas) Minivans, while completely un-sexy, have an amazing ability to carry untold numbers of people, dogs and all their accompanying "stuff." Last summer my dog rescue friend Debi, her four school age kids and three medium to large breed dogs in addition to myself and my two German Shepherds all piled into her light blue minivan and traveled from Austin, Texas to spend a fabulous week at Cottonwood Lake ... Read Entire Article

Clear Water

Colorado Summer

Lake Frozen Over

Autumn's Colorful Foliage Fall Foliage Gallery