Cottonwood Canyon Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

A lush and beautiful gem glides through a canyon filled with birds, big horn sheep and deer along Cottonwood Creek in an area that few in Colorado ever visit.

It is a classic Colorado canyon that offers an easy ride with just enough of a climb at the end to get the blood pumping.

There is no potable water at Carrizo Canyon Picnic area. There is a pit toilet and three picnic tables. Camping is allowed at the picnic area. You may be able to filter water from the creek but late in the summer, it may be stagnant.

Phone service is available sporadically in the entire area. It is best to download maps that you may need beforehand or use the MTB Project mobile app.

The route is on good gravel roads which would be nice for a gravel bike. The route starts from Carrizo Canyon which allows for camping at the trailhead. It climbs through juniper forests which is endemic in this area.

The route offers good views of the buttes and mesas that make up much of this area of southern Colorado. One prominent mesa you'll see near the beginning has a volcanic vent on it that is called Potato Mountain. At about six miles, the road drops into the shaded confines of Cottonwood Canyon.

The road trends downward through farms and ranches along the creek. Watch for deer and big horn sheep. The big horns have been reintroduced into the canyon area in the last decade and are thriving. They don't like bicycles, however, so try to sneak up on them if you can.

At about 15 miles, Cottonwood Creek flows into Carrizo Creek. The road climbs steeply out of the canyon for about a mile. The road eventually flattens out at an old ranch house.

At about 18 miles, you can use the gate to a cattle pen to access the Forest Service road (better for mountain bikes) or continue on up to M Road and access the Carrizo Creek area from this road.

Carrizo Creek is one of only 3 permanent streams in the area. It has drawn people to its amenities since prehistoric times. Native peoples have left grinding sites and petroglyphs throughout the area. There are dinosaur tracks in the canyon about three miles from the picnic area. It is a rough hike to get to them but worth the journey.

On the canyon rim above the tracks, a stone wall used as a game trap can be found. The jump ended up nearly on the trackway.