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
Hannah E
VerifiedMarch 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I loved it here! Though it’s a far drive to just about anywhere, it had what we needed. Beautiful sunsets. The wind did get really bad for us here, and there’s not much of anything to block the wind so we did have to put our tent down. But it was okay and we made the most of it! I will definitely check out one of the other campsites next time I visit, but this one was perfect for the 3 nights we stayed here.
JARRIS W
VerifiedMarch 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Mark the Cottonwood park Ranger made our stay very special.
David B
VerifiedMarch 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The proximity to Santa Elena Canyon and the beauty of the surroundings along with the small campground & facilities were excellent.
Max K
VerifiedMarch 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great park location, clean toilets
Katie C
VerifiedMarch 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 027 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood Campground has a much more scenic/private feel than other campsites at Big Bend. It is quiet and serene. Make sure to talk to the Rangers at Castolon (If Dorinda is there, she is an excellent resource!!). Santa Elena's canyon is also nearby and a can't miss stop. This campsite is quite a drive away from the Chisos Basin and Rio Grande Village, so prepare appropriately.
Carestin T
VerifiedMarch 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful stay and amazing views! My family and I throughly enjoyed our first ever camping trip here at the Cottonwood campsite. Our site was clean and perfect for our large tent!
Allison P
VerifiedMarch 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful view from campsite. Close to the river. Dogs not allowed on hiking trails.
Randall W
VerifiedMarch 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I stayed a site #2. It was near the entrance, but the traffic wasn't an issue. The campground is all gravel roads, so cars going by kick up some dust. The site description does say there is shade, and there is, but only in the morning - something to keep in mind. Site #2 is close to the filtered water and it's close to the Rio Grande river access. It was hot that day, so I took a bath in the Rio Grande. The water felt great and the current is swift. Make sure to bring some river/lake shoes. There is 2 vault toilets a short walk from my camp site. It's a good alternative campground if you can't stay in the Chisos Basin. The drive on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr. to get to Cottonwood Campground is stunning! Plus Cottonwood is close to the Santa Elena Canyon - which I highly recommend. I would stay at Cottonwood again.
Belynda W
VerifiedMarch 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The location is everything. Very close to Santa Elena Canyon, plus many hikes and overlooks on the way to and from the campground. Also, easy to walk to the Rio Grande and see Mexico a few feet away. Birds were great - woodpeckers, vermillion flycatchers, ravens, and doves comfortable enough to walk right up into the campsite. Easy rectangle campground, simple to navigate and walk. We found it noisy - children playing and people talking, it was almost like eating in a restaurant with people seated at nearby tables during dinner. Filtered water was available at a station near the entrance, and non-potable water spigots were located every few sites. Two bathroom areas featured pit toilets. Showers and power are not available here, as expected.
Lisa G
VerifiedMarch 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This is a nice, quiet area of Big Bend. Very few campsites, so very few people. Water spigots were clearly marked with potability of water. Vault toilets were clean. Would definitely stay again.
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.
