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
Dylan M
VerifiedMarch 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet campground, tucked away near Santa Elena canyon. Feels like a nice retreat away from the center of the park. Beautiful sunrise and sunset views here.
Kathryn F
VerifiedMarch 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
On our first morning there, it was calm and the birding in the campground was amazing. We saw 15 different birds by 10 am. Castalon VC was interesting. Hiked at Lower Burro Pouroff and Javelina Spring. Next couple of days windy but that's not the campgrounds fault.
Gavin B
VerifiedMarch 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Well of course Big Bend is an awesome place. However typical of many of the campgrounds in national parks there are no services. All of the campgrounds in big bend basically cater to young tenters but are full of older people in RVs. Texas state parks are much nicer than national parks.
Rod D
VerifiedMarch 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground was very quiet, both day and night. The restrooms were very clean and smelled good, especially for pit toilets! The current severe drought is having an impact on the cottonwood trees and could make finding shade harder. I appreciate that each site has it's own food locker. Cell service is non-existent without satellite help, but just a ways up the road at the overlook I found good service.
Juan R
VerifiedMarch 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 029 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground itself was good. It had all the basics. I only spent a couple hours in the morning and afternoon when there. The night sky is beautiful for stargazing.
The reason I’m giving it such a low rating is to do accessibility and proximity to other areas. The campground is at one of the south-westernmost points in the park. If you’re driving there, be prepared to spend 1-2 hour per day entering and leave the area to access other places, like the mountains or the hot springs.
Daniel M
VerifiedMarch 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Site was spacious and clean. Booked it last minute when somebody cancelled their reservation. Allowed more time to explore the west section of Big Bend … specially the canyon and Rio Grande.
Angela E
VerifiedMarch 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Despite recent cuts in staffing and other resources the dedicated staff at Big Bend continue to do their best to provide a great National Park experience. Many thanks to them and their hard work and dedication.
Don S
VerifiedMarch 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Site was easy to get in and clean. Toilets were the nicest pit toilets that I have ever used. I liked the recycling of cans,glass,plastic and used fuel cylinders. Excellent camp host
Will and Bev G
VerifiedMarch 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Amazing experience living for a few days in such a diverse and incredibly beautiful environment. The campground was quiet and peaceful. We met some very interesting people and will definitely return.
Jennifer C
VerifiedMarch 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice. Quiet. Dark skies!
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 6, 2026
