Overview Cottonwood Group Picnic Site is located next to scenic Cottonwood Lake on the Salt River Mountains, surrounded by the forests of western Wyoming.Recreation The lake offers great canoeing and boating for smaller craft, as well as fishing for brook and cutthroat trout. Hiking, mountain biking, off-road vehicle a…
Overview Cottonwood Group Picnic Site is located next to scenic Cottonwood Lake on the Salt River Mountains, surrounded by the forests of western Wyoming.Recreation The lake offers great canoeing and boating for smaller craft, as well as fishing for brook and cutthroat trout. Hiking, mountain biking, off-road vehicle and horseback riding trails are in the area.Facilities This day-use picnic site can accommodate up to 25 guests and 8-10 vehicles. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A group overnight campsite is available for reservations here. Natural Features The picnic site is located above Cottonwood Lake, near the peaceful North Fork Creek. A forest of pines and aspens offers shade, and vibrant summer wildflowers are abundant. The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for outdoor recreation. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 United States.
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How to Get There
From Afton, Wyoming, take Highway 89 south approximately 7 miles to Smoot and watch for signs for the Cottonwood Lake Campground. The forest boundary is about a mile up the access road, and the campground is 6 miles beyond that. Continue past the west first loop of the campground, then go right at the 'Y' intersection toward lake. The group picnic area is on the left side of the road.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to COTTONWOOD GROUP PICNIC SITE
Heading to COTTONWOOD GROUP PICNIC SITE? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for COTTONWOOD GROUP PICNIC SITE?
No central reservation system listed for COTTONWOOD GROUP PICNIC SITE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234518) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to COTTONWOOD GROUP PICNIC SITE?
From Afton, Wyoming, take Highway 89 south approximately 7 miles to Smoot and watch for signs for the Cottonwood Lake Campground. The forest boundary is about a mile up the access road, and the campground is 6 miles beyond that. Continue past the west first loop of the campground, then go right at the 'Y' intersection toward lake. The group picnic area is on the left side of the road.
