Beta
All Mountain Ranges
Mountain Range
hard

Cottonwood Mountains

California

Elevation Range

3,500 ft - 7,200 ft

Notable Peaks

3

Coordinates

40.9728, -120.0674

About Cottonwood Mountains

The Cottonwood Mountains are a remote and rugged mountain range located in eastern California, near the border with Nevada. Situated within the Mojave Desert, this range is characterized by steep, rocky terrain with numerous canyons, ridges, and dramatic rock formations. The landscape is dominated by arid, desert vegetation like Joshua trees, yucca, and creosote bushes, with the occasional oasis of cottonwood trees providing a lush contrast. While not particularly high in elevation, the Cottonwood Mountains offer challenging hiking and scrambling opportunities for experienced outdoor enthusiasts.

Notable Peaks

Tin Mountain

7,164 ft

Grapevine Peak

7,161 ft

Marble Peak

6,989 ft

Activities

hiking
backpacking
rock scrambling
wildlife viewing

Best Seasons

spring

fall

Plan Your Trip

Let Cairn help you plan the perfect adventure to Cottonwood Mountains.

Start Planning

Gateway Towns

Lone Pine, CA
Ridgecrest, CA

Location

California

40.9728, -120.0674

Open in Google Maps

Data Source

Geographic data from USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Descriptions generated with AI assistance.

    Cottonwood Mountains | Cairn | Cairn