south cottonwood
south bozemanTrail Stats
Distance: 4 to 12 miles round trip depending on turnaround
Difficulty: Easy to Hard depending on distance
Elevation Gain: 300 to 900 ft
Trail Type: Out and back
Estimated Time: 2.5 to 6 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes; creek access, carry bear spray
Parking / Access: Trailhead at end of Cottonwood Canyon Road, southwest of Bozeman via South 19th
Best Season: Spring through fall; best avoided during heavy spring runoff
Trail Description:
South Cottonwood is one of those trails that can be almost anything you need it to be on a given day. Want a short, shaded walk along a creek with your kids and your dog on a hot afternoon? Turn around at a mile. Want a half-day hike that climbs into beautiful Cottonwood Canyon through wildflower meadows and dense forest? Keep going to the Langhor Trail at 2.4 miles. Want a full-day adventure into the backcountry? History Rock Trail connects at 6 miles. The frigid creek running alongside the trail provides constant refreshment for dogs and humans alike, and the dense forest canopy makes this one of the best options when the summer sun is brutal and every other trail is baking. Southwest Bozeman buyers often overlook this corridor in favor of Hyalite, but South Cottonwood is a gem that rewards the locals who know it.
Laurie’s Notes:
This is where Laurie writes his own personal take on the trail.