Cotter Reserve

Cotter Reserve is a riverside recreation area on the Cotter River at its junction with the Murrumbidgee River, about 20 kilometres west of central Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. Centred around the historic Cotter Dam and Cotter Hut, it offers swimming holes, picnic and barbecue areas, a campground and walking trails within bushland. It is a popular day-use destination for swimming, picnicking and nature-based recreation.

Visitors can expect a bushland riverside reserve with grassed picnic areas along the Cotter River, sandy swimming areas and deep waterholes, free electric barbecues, and views of Cotter Dam wall. The reserve includes the heritage Cotter Hut, the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail with interpretive signage, a small campground, walking and cycling tracks, and forested surrounds. Facilities are spread along the river flats with parking close to picnic sites.