About Cottonwood Park path
Cottonwood Park path is a easy hiking trail near Bismarck in Burleigh County, North Dakota.. The surface is paved. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Daniel Roe on Unsplash
EasyPaved
Cottonwood Park path
Bismarck, North Dakota · Burleigh County
Cottonwood Park path is a easy hiking trail near Bismarck in Burleigh County, North Dakota.. The surface is paved. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Advertisement
46.76975, -100.77806
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Cottonwood Park path
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
92°/60°
💧 1%🌬 8mph
↑ 6:17 AM ↓ 9:21 PM
Tue
Overcast
97°/66°
💧 2%🌬 7mph
↑ 6:18 AM ↓ 9:20 PM
Wed
Rain
104°/70°
💧 5%🌬 26mph
↑ 6:20 AM ↓ 9:19 PM
Thu
Light Drizzle
100°/70°
💧 36%🌬 19mph
↑ 6:21 AM ↓ 9:17 PM
Fri
Rain Showers
101°/68°
💧 8%🌬 24mph
↑ 6:22 AM ↓ 9:16 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Easy” Means
Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- UPF sun shirt (long sleeve)Cooler than direct sun on bare skin.
- Light shorts/skirtLoose-fit, breathable.
- Wide-brimmed sun hatPlus a buff/bandana you can wet for cooling.
- Polarized sunglassesCritical for glare from sun + sand/water.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 7)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Dry bags for electronicsPhone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
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.
Trail Safety in North Dakota
Trail conditions in North Dakota change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
Other Trails Near Cottonwood Park path
Closest trailheads, sorted by distance from this one.
Guides & rankings
More on hiking in North Dakota
Photo: Joshua EarleState Rankings
The 10 Longest Hiking Trails in North Dakota, Ranked
North Dakota's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Tobias MrzykState Rankings
North Dakota's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten North Dakota trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
The Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in North Dakota
Ten gentle, well-marked North Dakota trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichState Rankings
The 10 Most Challenging Hikes in North Dakota
North Dakota's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoParks & Travel
The Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in North Dakota
Federal parks and recreation areas in North Dakota ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
Best Waterfall Hikes in North Dakota: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
North Dakota's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.