- Region
- AZ, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- No permits or passes are required for ordi…
- Managed by
- Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip Field Office; (435) 688-3200; BLM_AZ_ASDOWEB@blm.gov.
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Photos of Cottonwood Point Wilderness
How to get there
Cottonwood Point Wilderness lies directly east of Colorado City, Arizona, on the Utah border. St. George, Utah, is about a 45-minute drive west of Colorado City. Approach the western boundary from Colorado City or the BLM-administered southwest corner from Cane Beds Road south of town. Private property limits access; confirm the legal approach with the Arizona Strip Field Office before setting out.
- Colorado City western-boundary approach
Access toward the wilderness's steep western slopes and cliffs is available from Colorado City. This is an approach area, not a developed trailhead; confirm public access through the surrounding private-property pattern.
- Cane Beds Road southwest approach
Cane Beds Road, south of Colorado City, provides access toward the BLM-administered southwest corner. Confirm the precise legal entry before travel; no established wilderness trailhead is identified.
Sources: blm.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory · Wikipedia. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
AZ, USA · United States
- Mountaineering
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Backpacking
Sandstone plateaus on the Arizona–Utah border
Cottonwood Point Wilderness protects 6,860 acres on the Arizona Strip, directly east of Colorado City along the Arizona–Utah border. Designated in 1984, it adjoins Canaan Mountain Wilderness to the north. Its outline resembles two irregular peninsulas divided by Cottonwood Canyon, with piñon, juniper, and sagebrush covering the plateau country. Craggy pinnacles and multicolored Navajo sandstone cliffs rise above deep, narrow canyons; some cliffs reach 1,000 feet. Wetter canyon bottoms support willow and cottonwood, a contrast to the drier uplands. Cottonwood Point itself reaches 6,322 feet on the western peninsula. This is rugged terrain for hiking, backpacking, horsepacking, and photography, rather than a destination organized around maintained trails. Mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and coyotes inhabit the area, making respectful wildlife observation another reason to move quietly.
Access and off-trail trip planning
Private property nearly surrounds the wilderness, so reaching public land is a central part of planning a trip here. Colorado City provides access toward the steep western boundary, while Cane Beds Road, south of town, provides an approach to the BLM-administered southwest corner. Neither should be treated as a developed trailhead: there are no established trailheads or trails in the wilderness apart from old stock trails. Confirm legal access and property boundaries with the Arizona Strip Field Office before choosing a starting point. Once inside, plan around rugged, convoluted country rather than a signed route. Carry navigation tools, allow time for route-finding, and choose a turnaround that matches the terrain and the group's abilities. Colorado City has the closest services; St. George, Utah, is the nearest major town.
Conditions, regulations, and low-impact travel
Elevation strongly affects conditions here. Higher country is cooler and wetter, with warm summer days, cool nights, and snow possible in winter and early spring. Lower elevations can be very hot in summer, and afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Match clothing, water supplies, and plans to the elevation and forecast rather than conditions in town. Ordinary visits require no permits, passes, or fees. Commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit; contact the Arizona Strip Field Office for details. Recreation on nearby Arizona state trust land requires a state permit. Motorized equipment and mechanical transport, including bicycles, are generally prohibited in wilderness. Travel and camp on durable surfaces, pack out waste, leave natural objects in place, minimize campfire impacts, and give wildlife and other visitors space.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Cottonwood Point Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 36.9793, -112.9476
- Latitude (DMS)
- 36° 58′ 45.3″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 112° 56′ 51.3″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Cottonwood Point Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
On a map, this piñon, juniper, and sagebrush covered wilderness looks like two small "peninsulas" divided by Cottonwood Canyon. Extending south from the Arizona-Utah border, the land rises to 6,322 feet...
Key takeaways
- Region: AZ, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 36.979, -112.948
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Cottonwood Point Wilderness
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Surfing
Swell windows and access from camp.
Animals around Cottonwood Point Wilderness
Sandstone plateaus on the Arizona–Utah border
Cottonwood Point Wilderness protects 6,860 acres on the Arizona Strip, directly east of Colorado City along the Arizona–Utah border. Designated in 1984, it adjoins Canaan Mountain Wilderness to the north. Its outline resembles two irregular peninsulas divided by Cottonwood Canyon, with piñon, juniper, and sagebrush covering the plateau country. Craggy pinnacles and multicolored Navajo sandstone cliffs rise above deep, narrow canyons; some cliffs reach 1,000 feet. Wetter canyon bottoms support willow and cottonwood, a contrast to the drier uplands. Cottonwood Point itself reaches 6,322 feet on the western peninsula. This is rugged terrain for hiking, backpacking, horsepacking, and photography, rather than a destination organized around maintained trails. Mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and coyotes inhabit the area, making respectful wildlife observation another reason to move quietly.
Access and off-trail trip planning
Private property nearly surrounds the wilderness, so reaching public land is a central part of planning a trip here. Colorado City provides access toward the steep western boundary, while Cane Beds Road, south of town, provides an approach to the BLM-administered southwest corner. Neither should be treated as a developed trailhead: there are no established trailheads or trails in the wilderness apart from old stock trails. Confirm legal access and property boundaries with the Arizona Strip Field Office before choosing a starting point. Once inside, plan around rugged, convoluted country rather than a signed route. Carry navigation tools, allow time for route-finding, and choose a turnaround that matches the terrain and the group's abilities. Colorado City has the closest services; St. George, Utah, is the nearest major town.
Conditions, regulations, and low-impact travel
Elevation strongly affects conditions here. Higher country is cooler and wetter, with warm summer days, cool nights, and snow possible in winter and early spring. Lower elevations can be very hot in summer, and afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Match clothing, water supplies, and plans to the elevation and forecast rather than conditions in town. Ordinary visits require no permits, passes, or fees. Commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit; contact the Arizona Strip Field Office for details. Recreation on nearby Arizona state trust land requires a state permit. Motorized equipment and mechanical transport, including bicycles, are generally prohibited in wilderness. Travel and camp on durable surfaces, pack out waste, leave natural objects in place, minimize campfire impacts, and give wildlife and other visitors space.
Route options
- Western-boundary off-trail explorationRugged, off-trail terrain with steep slopes and cliffs.
An approach-based hiking option from Colorado City toward the western slopes and cliffs, not a marked route. Steep terrain and surrounding private property make access verification and careful route selection essential.
- Southwest-corner backcountry explorationRugged, unmarked backcountry requiring route-finding.
Use the legal approach off Cane Beds Road to reach the BLM-administered southwest corner for self-planned hiking or backpacking. No established itinerary is defined here; old stock trails do not constitute a maintained trail network.
Sample itineraries
- Southwest Wilderness Day Hike · 1 day
Confirm legal access off Cane Beds Road to the southwest BLM-administered corner before setting out. Plan a conservative out-and-back through piñon, juniper, and sagebrush country. There are no established trailheads or trails beyond old stock trails; choose terrain within your navigation ability.
- Cottonwood Canyon Backpacking Plan · 2 days
For experienced off-trail backpackers, plan an overnight exploring the country divided by Cottonwood Canyon. Confirm legal entry and a feasible route with the Arizona Strip Field Office. Carry sufficient water, camp on durable surfaces, and keep the route flexible around cliffs and narrow canyons.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Early spring
Higher elevations can retain snow and experience cold temperatures, despite frequent clear, sunny days. Plan clothing and route choices around elevation rather than conditions in Colorado City alone.
Summer
Summer
Lower elevations can be very hot. Higher country generally has warm days and cool nights, with more precipitation than lower terrain. Afternoon thunderstorms are common; check forecasts before committing to deep canyons.
Fall
Fall
Use current forecasts to choose an elevation and route. Higher terrain is generally cooler and wetter than lower terrain; pack layers rather than assuming uniform conditions across the wilderness.
Winter
Winter
Snow and cold affect the highest elevations, with frequent clear, sunny days. Lower elevations have more moderate temperatures and can offer snow-free outings. Verify conditions before choosing a route into higher country.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Early spring | Higher elevations can retain snow and experience cold temperatures, despite frequent clear, sunny days. Plan clothing and route choices around elevation rather than conditions in Colorado City alone. |
| Summer | Summer | Lower elevations can be very hot. Higher country generally has warm days and cool nights, with more precipitation than lower terrain. Afternoon thunderstorms are common; check forecasts before committing to deep canyons. |
| Fall | Fall | Use current forecasts to choose an elevation and route. Higher terrain is generally cooler and wetter than lower terrain; pack layers rather than assuming uniform conditions across the wilderness. |
| Winter | Winter | Snow and cold affect the highest elevations, with frequent clear, sunny days. Lower elevations have more moderate temperatures and can offer snow-free outings. Verify conditions before choosing a route into higher country. |
Permits, fees & closures
No permits or passes are required for ordinary wilderness visits. Commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit. Recreation on nearby Arizona state trust land requires a state permit. Contact the Arizona Strip Field Office for details.
Fees: Visiting Cottonwood Point Wilderness is free.
Official source: Cottonwood Point Wilderness - Utah · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Craggy pinnacles, steep slopes, deep narrow canyons, and 1,000-foot sandstone cliffs complicate travel. Avoid committing to terrain without a safe return route.
- There are no established trailheads or trails beyond old stock trails. Off-trail navigation is essential in this rugged landscape.
- Private property nearly surrounds the wilderness and limits access. Confirm legal entry before approaching from Colorado City or Cane Beds Road.
- Very hot summer temperatures at lower elevations demand conservative plans and sufficient drinking water.
- Summer afternoon thunderstorms can change conditions quickly. Reassess canyon travel when storms are forecast.
- Winter and early spring snow and cold at higher elevations can make a route substantially harder than lower-elevation conditions suggest.
What to pack for Cottonwood Point Wilderness
- Topographic map showing cliffs, canyons, and land ownership
- Compass and offline navigation
- Confirmed legal access plan
- Sufficient drinking water without assuming a refill
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Warm layers for cool nights and higher elevations
- Rain protection for summer thunderstorms
- Footwear suited to rugged, off-trail terrain
- First-aid kit and emergency shelter
- Headlamp
- Waste pack-out supplies
- Overnight shelter and season-appropriate sleeping gear for backpacking
Cottonwood Point Wilderness FAQ
- Is Cottonwood Point Wilderness in Arizona or Utah?
- It is in Arizona, directly east of Colorado City along the Arizona–Utah border. The 6,860-acre wilderness adjoins Utah's Canaan Mountain Wilderness to the north and is managed by the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office.
- Where can visitors access the wilderness?
- Western-boundary access is possible from Colorado City, while the southwest BLM-administered corner can be approached off Cane Beds Road. Private property limits entry, and western approaches meet steep slopes and cliffs. Confirm legal access with the Arizona Strip Field Office at (435) 688-3200.
- Are there maintained hiking trails or trailheads?
- No established trailheads or trails exist beyond old stock trails. Treat outings as off-trail travel rather than marked hikes. A mapped wilderness location is not necessarily an access point.
- What does the landscape look like?
- Cottonwood Canyon divides two plateau-like peninsulas covered with piñon, juniper, and sagebrush. Multicolored Navajo sandstone cliffs and pinnacles rise above narrow canyons; wetter canyon bottoms support willow and cottonwood. Elevations range roughly from 5,100 to 6,600 feet.
- Are bicycles, motor vehicles, or drones allowed?
- Motorized equipment and mechanical transport are generally prohibited in designated wilderness, including motor vehicles and bicycles. Landing aircraft, including drones, is also prohibited under the listed regulations. Ask the managing office about specific equipment or activities.
- What activities suit this wilderness?
- Hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, birding, wildlife viewing, and photography suit the area. Rugged, largely trail-less terrain calls for careful planning. Travel and camp on durable surfaces, pack out waste, leave natural objects in place, and give wildlife space.