Warning
GeneralA maximum of two motor vehicles, one vehicle with a trailer, one motorhome with tow vehicle or four motorcycles allowed per campsite. A maximum of four tents OR one wheeled camping unit and one tent allowed per campsite. Only 1 conversion van or other type of recreational vehicle allowed per site. Two (2) conversion vans or RVs require 2 campsites.
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates29 total sites
RV Sites
28 sites
Tent Sites
1 site
About Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)
Number of accommodations: 29
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
General Store
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Grill
- BBQ
- Fire Pit
On Site Services
- General Store
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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Reviews (578)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
Review Summary
stephanie M
VerifiedMay 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We made the reservation based on previous years visits - lovely big cottonwood trees filled with birds. When we arrived the cottonwood trees were gone and thus the site drescriptions ("plenty of shade") were bogus. Further there was no mention of the hordes of mosquites that appear after the sun sets. Please update the online info on this campground.
stephen a
VerifiedMay 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
a small campground away from some of the more popular places in the park and near Santa Elena Canyon. however, the name needs to be changed. not a single living cottonwood tree was in evidence. it's now a field of suffering mesquite trees. all because as a country we have underfunded the parks we set up to protect some of the most beautiful natural splendor the country has to offer. i was told the cottonwoods died because the park didn't have the staff to irrigate them regularly. also the park depends on volunteers to patrol the back country campsites!
FUND OUR PARKS!
LAUREN D
VerifiedMay 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
End of April was very hot. My first camp spot, site 17 had pretty much zero shade. I roasted in my camper van. The next morning, with the help of the wonderful camp host I was able to move to site 8 which had much much more shade. Helped a huge amount. The campground was fine. Did not spend much time there. Mostly out exploring.
Eduardo S
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Good location and amazing views, some trees seems to have been recently cut and camping spot had 0 shade, sun was very harsh which made lounging a bit harder than expected, consider bringing some way to shade your campsite if visiting.
Michael D
VerifiedApril 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Campground was adequate but that's all. Could use some upgrades.
Marcus H
VerifiedApril 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Really cool area with lots of wildlife. We saw two different groups of javelinas and some wild horses. Great experience!
Johnny L
VerifiedApril 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
What have you done?! Dead trees, dead grass, bare dirt, no nod to the history of the cottonwoods. Sad. No plan in place to replace the trees that died and that you killed? Incompetence or mismanagement? Both? Get it together. Also, pit toilets were maxed out. Need new management at Big Bend!
Mark S
VerifiedApril 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Stayed at site 23. So peaceful and quiet.
Charlene M
VerifiedApril 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This is a big dry open field with dry vegetation and VERY FEW trees. VERY hot and no way to escape the heat. Lots of construction visitor center not open.
Simon K
VerifiedApril 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We enjoyed our stay, but it definitely doesn't look like the pictures anymore. There was a fire, and a lot of the trees are dead. The only trees it has now are mesquite with thorns. We had to first clean all the fallen thorns and branches before setting up our tent. We still enjoyed it; the people were very friendly.
Location Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)
Address:
Po Box 129
Big Bend Nat. Park, TX, 79834
United States
From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 miles (64 km) south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 miles (42 km) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right at the intersection and go 13 miles (21 km) west. Take a left at the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and drive 23 miles (37 km) to Cottonwood Campground.
GPS Warning: GPS units may send you down Old Maverick Road, an unpaved, very rough road. Do not take Old Maverick Road unless you have a four wheel drive and high clearance vehicle.
Cottonwood Campground is accessible via State Highway 385, which connects to Interstate 10 to the north. Travelers can take State Highway 385 south from Interstate 10 through Fort Stockton and Marathon to reach the campground.
Elevation: 649 feet
Nearby National Park
In Big Bend National Park
Approximate driving time: 48 min
549 mi drive to downtown Big Bend Nat. Park (about 8 hr 58 min)
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
1PM
General
- Do not reserve campsites that you are not planning to stay in. A camper arriving the day AFTER the reservation begins is considered a No Show. A No Show may result in a cancellation of your ENTIRE reservation. Contact the park at 432-477-2251 if you are late or will not be arriving until the day after your reservation starts.
- Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood campground. Idling a vehicle to provide power is also prohibited.
- No Hookups or Dump Station. There are no electricity, water or sewer hookups. There is no fill/dump station available at this campground.
- Group Campsite is Tent Only. The group site is for tents only. RVs and trailers are NOT allowed.
- Campfires. No wood or ground fires are permitted in Big Bend. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site.
- Pets. Pets are allowed in each campsite, although they must be leashed and restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails or in buildings.
- Food Lockers/Wildlife. Javelinas, bobcats and bears frequent the area. All food must be kept in the food storage lockers or approved containers or in a hard-sided vehicle. Dispose of trash n the animal-proof dumpsters provided. Do not leave coolers or food boxes unattended at any time.
- Are you still camping? If you leave your site during the day, please leave something at the site so we know you are not checking out early. A tent, camp chair, stove, book, etc. Something of little value but that indicates you plan to return.
- Hammocks. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.
- Border Crossing. There is only one authorized border crossing within Big Bend National Park, located at Rio Grande Village. Crossing the border in an unauthorized location is illegal.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralA maximum of two motor vehicles, one vehicle with a trailer, one motorhome with tow vehicle or four motorcycles allowed per campsite. A maximum of four tents OR one wheeled camping unit and one tent allowed per campsite. Only 1 conversion van or other type of recreational vehicle allowed per site. Two (2) conversion vans or RVs require 2 campsites.
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Last updated: September 6, 2026
