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
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
29 Sites Available
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Site Details
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29 Sites Available
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Reviews (566)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a serene and quiet experience, close to Santa Elena Canyon and various hiking trails. Visitors appreciated the clean facilities, friendly staff, and beautiful surroundings, with many noting the enjoyment of wildlife sightings. However, the loss of cottonwood trees has diminished shade, and some areas require management improvements, but overall, guests had a pleasant stay and expressed a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a serene and quiet experience, close to Santa Elena Canyon and various hiking trails. Visitors appreciated the clean facilities, friendly staff, and beautiful surroundings, with many noting the enjoyment of wildlife sightings. However, the loss of cottonwood trees has diminished shade, and some areas require management improvements, but overall, guests had a pleasant stay and expressed a desire to return.
Review Summary
Roger L
VerifiedMarch 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Due to the reservation system I had to move my tent three times. Very inconvenient. The campground host would TALK with other campers for lengths outside tents of sleeping campers for long periods disregarding campers might want to sleep in. One time talking to a female Ranger in a running truck for 20 minutes, immediately next to several sleeping campers. You would think being in a natural area like BIBE that they would conserve fuel and shut down the vehicle while gabbing.
Cathleen K
VerifiedMarch 14, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet, secluded campground! Our kind of camping - dry camping with no generators allowed. It was a good launch point to explore the west end of Big Bend Natl Park - Santa Elena Canyon, and numerous other hikes, and Castalon visitor center and area history. If needed, there was limited internet available at Castalon - met our needs.
Wayne M
VerifiedMarch 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood campground is clean, the sites are level and the largest in the park. Camp hosts are both friendly and knowledgeable. We will be back
Stephani F
VerifiedMarch 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
New bathrooms are great. Recycling and trash bins moved to a more convenient location. Really like larger more level campsites.
Charles S
VerifiedMarch 7, 2024 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Well kept camping spot. Campground host was very friendly and stopped by to check on us our first and only night. Close to Santa Elena which is a must see if you make it to west side of park.
Jason B
VerifiedMarch 7, 2024 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very happy with my stay at this site. Views were amazing. The vault toilets were very clean. There was water available. The whole campground was very neat and tidy. Staff was very informative about things at the campground. Very thankful to find an opening at this campground.
Frances D
VerifiedMarch 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This is a fantastic campground. It is quiet, close to many hiking opportunities, and conveniently located to the Castolon visitor center. There is some Wi-Fi and cell reception at the visitor center. The bathrooms were the cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen in 9 months of being on the road.
Sylvie L
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Ce camping est vraiment bien très tranquille et les gens y sont très respectueux 😉
Mads A
VerifiedFebruary 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful campground that is secluded. The trees were a nice addition to an otherwise
Arid region. The campground was well maintained and enjoyed that there was no generators or dogs barking.
Wendy H
VerifiedFebruary 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We had site #11 and it was wonderful. Stayed 3 nights and 4 days hiking and visiting all the sights in Big Bend. This was out second time here and definitely will be back again! The dark sky was bright with stars every night!
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 29.1369 / -103.522
Elevation: 649 feet
Nearby National Park
In Big Bend National Park
Approximate driving time: 48 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: June 5, 2026
