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
Jeff N
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The reservation system needs repaired
Several sites were empty but the sign said campground was full. I stayed 2 nights but had to use 2 different sites, but the first site was empty the second night I was there and really didn’t need to change sites
Janna B
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We love Cottonwood. Our 3rd year there and WILL be back. Love the remoteness…quiet…and location! Lots to do…
Bathrooms always CLEAN!!!! Lots of wildlife!!! Campground hosts always visible daily if you have questions or concerns…
Just an all-around great camping experience!!!!
Robert O
VerifiedJanuary 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Stayed in site 6 and had a great view of two mountains. Site was mostly level, used one block. Close to bathrooms. This campground was very peaceful.
Samantha O
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Our stay at Cottonwood in Big Bend was fantastic. Within five minutes of our arrival we were completely surrounded by what Big Bend has to offer; uninhibited nature. Wild horses appeared just outside our door, quickly followed by a small group of Javelinas. Cottonwood on the Southwest side of the park was wonderful home base location to explore that side of the park.
Nancy B
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice place to stay , Near Santa Elena Canyon.
Dan M
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Wonderful one night stay while traveling through. Clean facilities, great campground, hike the canyon!
Anthony G
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It was okay, but the other 2 camp grounds in the Big Bend National Park have better views.
Colin K
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great campground. Quiet and comfortable.
George W
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I was able to get a smidge of T-Mobile signal with 4.5 Mbps download and 0.1 Mbps upload. That was with a roof mounted Pepwave antenna. It was usable for basic web browsing, but nothing else significant. Starlink worked well. Site quality varies for both the view and solar. No generators allowed so the best sites for solar are 19, 28, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14.
Decent enough campground but out site wasn't great. It's backed up against another site and had shading during early morning and evening for solar purposes. Some inconsiderate neighbors during the New Years holiday period. We needed every inch of the site to fit our 30 foot rig in, but it was doable. The site was gravel/dirt and levellable with standard techniques.
You access the campground via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The road is in good shape, but it's two lane and curvy. Not a huge deal besides the bad drivers that seem to cross the center line around every curve. The access road to the park is dirt but in good shape and not notable. There's a moderate amount of highway noise, but it dies off in the evening.
We saw Javelinas, various birds, and a gray fox.
This place is far from everything else except the Santa Elena Canyon area. There is no dump station, the closest one would be an RV park in Study Butte. Potable water is available at the campground entrance, but not for filling up RV tanks. Non-potable spigots are throughout.
The only propane fill is either at Rio Grande Village in the park (an hour drive) or the Alon station in Terlingua (45 min). The Alon station apparently only fills on the weekend - we called many other RV parks and other places without success.
Vault toilets are available, along with dumpsters and recycling cans. Camp hosts were on duty across the highway in a separate area. No wood fires were allowed but propane fire pits were.
I don't think we'd stay here again vs. planning farther in advance and getting a backcountry site or staying in Big Bend Ranch.
ALLISON P
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great, quiet campground. The bathrooms do not have sinks or running water, but there are taps around you can gather water to wash yourself in further away from the campsite
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 9, 2026
