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
Donald M
VerifiedMay 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Excellent site. We were there in December.
Chuck B
VerifiedMay 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
A lovely, well-maintained campground.
Rajshree S
VerifiedMay 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I visited in Spring and this was my favorite campsite in Big Bend NP. Has a lot a shade which is much needed in the hot months and after returning from an early morning hike. The dry toilets on this campsite were very clean. Overall, really enjoyed my stay here.
Jane B
VerifiedApril 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice campground.
Jeremy P
VerifiedApril 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
very quiet, clean facilities, friendly staff, well maintained campground
Richard B
VerifiedApril 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great spot to pitch a couple of tents in the soft grass, under the shaded honey Mesquites, with next to no bugs, at the end of April! Parking and picnic table were in full sun the whole time. Non potable water was 100yds away next to clean pit toilets, and filtered water for drinking was next to entrance to campground 500yds away. AMAZING birding site, we had people walking thru camp with huge camera lenses coming down from the lodge to take pictures. We saw, a roadrunner, a vermillion flycatcher, and enjoyed all the cheerful other songbirds while in camp. They do water by flooding but the camp host let us know they put up signs well in advance so don’t have to worry about a soggy sleeping pad. We did wake up in the middle of the night to a small and stealthy pack of Javelinas grazing on the grasses around our tent which was pretty cool to see! There is ice 1mi next door at the Castolon store, but don’t count on it, they were out when we tried to get a bag & ended up driving to Panther junction to get refilled. Also no gas down there so top up at Panther junction before driving another hour to this remote spot. Great star gazing spot, next to no other light and was entreated to a spectacular night sky, and the warm nights 62 were perfect temps to stay up. First day we checked out Santa Elanna canyon, “highly recommended,” wait until sunset when the temperatures start cooling down to avoid the heat, and catch the sunset from the canyon mouth. We woke up early and drove to the Chisos one morning and hiked 12mile loop up and around Emory peak and returned in the evening and was easy to do. No rv generators made this a very peaceful camp and lots of friendly people to talk to as well. The campsites on the south end of the campground don’t have grass and noticed you will have to camp in the dirt if you get one of those sites, & did not look appealing to stay in. All in all a great campground to stay in and will be coming back!
Jerami M
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Lovely campground although gets a bit windy. Wide variety of birds to see here. Bathrooms were quite clean and the water was probably the best tasting out of the main campgrounds.
Donna K
VerifiedApril 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great location for hiking Santa Elena Canyon (a highlight of our trip). The campground in early April was a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Nick s
VerifiedMarch 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very clean and well maintained.
Sites were nice and level
Would like a sign suggesting slow speed through campground as a lot of dust gets kicked up with cars driving by
Carolyn K
VerifiedMarch 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Campground was nice and spacious and beautiful! Camp host was awesome!
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.
