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.
About Cottonwood (big Bend, Tx)
Number of accommodations: 29
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
29 Sites Available
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Site Details
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29 Sites Available
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Reviews (194)
Review Summary
William G
VerifiedApril 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great location. Small cg. Bring water. Was able to book reservation for last available cs. Site okay, but there were plenty of spots. This is a systemic problem with Recreation.gov
Abraham F
VerifiedApril 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We were disappointed that any cottonwoods that may have been growing in the area apparently burned within the last few years. Also, although there are signs warning you that low-lying parts of the campground may be flooded by irrigation, it doesn't look like it's been irrigated in a long time. There was no grass. This is all in contrast to some photos that are around, showing green grass and leafy trees. But there are decent areas for pitching tents. There are some sparse large mesquites that cast some shade. The parking spot was level for our van. The other sites in general look fairly level. We appreciate that there was a campground in this remote location, and enjoyed visiting the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon (and a couple of other interesting sites) without having to do a ton of driving. The bathrooms were decent (vault toilets, toilet paper, hand sanitizer in dispensers), and there is a campground host who checks on things a bit. There are trash and recycling bins. The picnic table was in good shape, as was the charcoal grill. A note about the grill - you can't lower the grate, so you need to use a lot of charcoal to generate enough heat to cook. If you could lower the grill, then fewer coals would be enough to cook a few items. I didn't verify this myself, but I heard there is a potable water spigot at one end of the campground (near the entrance), and the spigot at the far end (near where we camped) was signed as non-potable. If there are any hiking or walking trails accessible at this campground, I didn't see any signs for them. There's a little store in Castolon, a short drive (probably not a great walk along the road) away. Dawn was really pretty. I recorded seven bird species in a minute with the Merlin app around sunrise. I would camp here again if the plan is to do a bit of hiking in the area. It's certainly not a destination on its own.
Dan H
VerifiedApril 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Terrific campground. Clean. Quiet. Well-managed.
Carter L
VerifiedApril 12, 2026 • Stayed at: A, Loop: Group Site A
The campsite was amazing. Super large and with 3 boxes for storage. 10 minutes away from Santa Elena Canyon! Such a pretty place and nice watcher of the sight. Very friendly. Bathrooms were nice and such a stunning national park. 40 minutes to the basin and 1.25 hours from the hot springs
Charles W
VerifiedApril 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very quiet and peaceful location. Short walk to view the river! Close to great trails! Well maintained.
Patrick W
VerifiedMarch 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Hot week but it was shady here. Open and quiet.
Gene Z
VerifiedMarch 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Excellent
kate k
VerifiedMarch 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We camped one night mid March and there wasn't much shade at the campground. There was a vermillion flycatcher at the campsite and lots of open sky for star gazing. It's easy to get to Santa Elena canyon 7 miles down the road and a great hike in the morning before it gets too busy.
Diane F
VerifiedMarch 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice quiet campground. Nice pit tiolets.
Vibrance P
VerifiedMarch 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This campground wasn’t very interesting, but it was decent and worked as a place to camp for the night and get to Santa Elena canyon early. Unfortunately, our stay was disrupted by noisy campers getting up at 5am to leave and yelling loudly next to us.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 29.1369 / -103.522
Elevation: 649 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| General |
Check-in. You may occupy your campsite anytime after 1:00 p.m.. Your site will be marked. There is no official check-in. procedure. |
| General |
Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood campground. Idling a vehicle to provide power is also prohibited. |
| General |
No Hookups or Dump Station. There are no electricity, water or sewer hookups. There is no fill/dump station available at this campground. |
| General |
Group Campsite is Tent Only. The group site is for tents only. RVs and trailers are NOT allowed. |
| General |
Campfires. No wood or ground fires are permitted in Big Bend. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Hammocks. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects. |
| General |
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.
