A 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.
General Store
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
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582 reviews
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.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Based on 582 reviews
Showing 582 reviews
February 11, 2022 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet (no generators), good amount of space between sites, level parking (dirt and gravel), nice views, and the reverse osmosis water was sparkling clean.
A Great Horned Owl kept watch over the campground. Javelinas came by to graze on the green grass in the campground. Wood peckers and other small birds kept the bird watchers happily engaged.
Absolutely no cell service. I'm counting that as a bonus.
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February 12, 2022 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Met Bonnie, delightful volunteer. Great photo of resident owl. Quiet, peaceful.
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February 12, 2022 Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful sunset that lit up the butte in orange and magenta. It was very cold and the spigot on our water jug was frozen in the morning. There was a clear sky at night but our neighbor had an outside light on. I asked them to turn it off, which they did. That allowed us to see the full canopy of stars which was spectacular. The host was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The campground has been refurbished since the fire so the campsites are level. It is close to the visitor center, very small store and historical buildings where some people can get cell service.
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February 17, 2022 Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
LOVELY AREA AND CG WAS NICE AND QUIET!!
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February 17, 2022 Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We chose site 7 for tenting. The site along fence at north of campground are large and have greater privacy for tenters. Drop toilets were spotlessly clean and odor free. Sunsets and sunrises were wonderful. Large resident owl kept us entertained. Be aware they regularly flood the sites in sections for irrigation of grass and trees so if your tenting you could be asked to move to the pad beside the bench for a day or so. All the Rangers were very pleasant and helpful. A quiet site, not busy even when full. Thoroughly recommend it.
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February 18, 2022 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Clean and quiet, except when our neighbors would run their engines at 2am, LOL. That’s a no-no btw, so come prepared for cold desert weather. We heard coyotes! Some nights a baby owl hoo-hoo-hooed for mom. Beautiful, beautiful stars, especially after the moon set. We had fun wiping out our dishes instead of washing them. Because dry campsite means dry campsite. Nights cold (mid-Feb.) but afternoons hot and sunny. The peace of this place restored us. Campsites have a good amount of space between them. The inconvenience of having to wipe everything instead of rinse (because animals are attracted to your rinse water and you don’t want javalinas sniffing around your site - they act like pigs) is outweighed by the quiet, the beauty and the peace of this campground. Great rangers who patrol regularly and sort out any problems. Shop is nearby. Oh the campground is flood-watered, but the rangers coordinated it around our stay, so we never returned to a soaked tent. A dip in the hot springs on the other side of the park revived us towards the end of our stay. Because coin showers at the RV village? To quote a Philadelphia lady: “Ain’t nobody got time for dat.” A remote campsite for a peaceful vacation. Absolutely perfect.
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February 19, 2022 Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
My stay at Cottonwood campground was pretty good. Right next to Santa Elena Canyon. Unfortunately the sites were pretty close together, many of the other campers left their trailer lights on all night (hard to enjoy the dark sky with lights around you), and although there was a spigot for potable water, the website was not clear that there is no way to fill your camper with potable water (it’s only to fill up containers, no hose connection).
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February 19, 2022 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great campsite, very spaced out from other campers. Santa Elena trailhead a few miles down the road, closet campground to it. There is a small store near by, no gas so be sure you are fueled up coming in (closest fuel 30+ miles away). One of the nicest camp hosts we have met.
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February 20, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Gorgeous, spotless campground! The rangers roving every couple of hours were very friendly, greeting new guests as they arrived (and letting us know exactly where to look for the resident great horned owls!) The toilets were the cleanest I've ever experienced at any campground. We visited the other two campgrounds at Big Bend, and Cottonwood was hands down the best.
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February 21, 2022 Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very good place to nature
Amazing sunset , very quiet place , the best in the park with Chisos bassin
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Po Box 129, Big Bend Nat. Park, TX 79834 United States
Elevation: 649 ft
From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 mi (39.8 mi) south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 mi (26.1 mi) to Park Headqu...
From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 mi (39.8 mi) south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 mi (26.1 mi) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right at the intersection and go 13 mi (13 mi) west. Take a left at the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and drive 23 mi (23 mi) 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.
The closest entrance is: Maverick Entrance Station
Approximate drive: 13.4 mi · 23 min
Check in time
1PM
A 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.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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