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
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
John K
VerifiedDecember 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground has little shade or greenery between campsites, which is to be expected in desert environment. Other camper were respectful and non-intrusive/
Gage D
VerifiedDecember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Such a cozy and beautiful spot. Very quiet and clean. The bathrooms were astonishingly clean as well. Amazing spot.
KATHERINE P
VerifiedDecember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful campground. I have stayed here several times over the years and have always had a good experience. This time we did the lost mine trail, and the santa elena trail. Both were beautiful!
magdalena z
VerifiedDecember 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
fascinating flood work going on
Heather M
VerifiedDecember 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground host was very kind and helpful. The campground was clean and welcoming. My only complaint is that recreation.gov can be quite tricky to use.
Arne S
VerifiedDecember 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The Cottonwood REC.GOV experience was challenging. We wanted to book two consecutive nights in early Dec. There was no guidance on the website how to do this. When the first night was released at 9 am 2 weeks out, I booked it, then had to do the same thing the next morning. Surely there is a way to do a multi night reservation without doing this every morning 2 weeks out from the stay?
Lee S
VerifiedDecember 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Lovely, quiet, peaceful campground. All sites were level, and all the other campers were respectful and quiet too. We spoke to one guy who said he camps here for 2 weeks every year and it is his favorite campground. We were only here one night, but I can understand why he likes it- much less activity, much more relaxing. Bird activity was good too, with Red-tail Hawk, Kestrel, Grt Horned Owl (heard at night), plus numerous passerines for birders like me. I'd love to spend more time at Cottonwood in the future.
DERIEK E
VerifiedDecember 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground hosts were friendly. My night at the campground was pleasant and quiet.
Stan S
VerifiedDecember 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The camping is nice…. The policy of saying all the campgrounds are full is quite frustrating due to the very limited Wi-Fi and cell coverage in the park……
When you can get signal it is extremely difficult for someone who is older and not a computer guru to navigate the website on a phone….
I understand the intent is to avoid cash and get folks to reserve…… but it is very frustrating and the ability to discover which sites are available is not up to,speed…..
Excellent team of volunteers are trying …..but we found it very frustrating…..
There were many great sites unreserved but we were forced into the less desirable ones…..
Paul S
VerifiedDecember 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Park hosts were great: very helpful and friendly
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
