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
chase n
VerifiedFebruary 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
There was a real issue with the park trying to get grass to grow. They would apparently flood the middle part of the campground with water. Also the gnats were unbearable unless you had a full face netting to wear. I am not sure if this was something caused by the water and the ground being soft for the bugs, but it definitely needs to be addressed. I personally would not come back to camp at this particular spot. I would stay up in the mountains (Chisos) away from the bugs and visit the river as a day trip.
Joshua H
VerifiedFebruary 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Campground hosts were great, very friendly and knowledgeable. The pit toilets were super clean. Close to Santa Elena Canyon, which is absolutely lovely in the early morning.
kurt k
VerifiedFebruary 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Good time.
Judy Z
VerifiedFebruary 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Pleasant, shaded campground. Quiet.
Matt F
VerifiedFebruary 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We only used the space for half a day. Clean, nice campground. In February the black flies were unmerciful. Saw two great horned owls in the cottonwoods.
Michael W
VerifiedFebruary 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
As always such a wonderful place. Everyone was a pleasure to work with. Cottonwood is such a beautiful campground. I hope you keep it open year round
Eloisa B
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Campground was nice and very clean. Staff checked several times a day. With the exception of some bad weather time at the campground was excellent. Would highly recommend visiting Big Bend NP.
Bernhard E
VerifiedFebruary 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice and very quiet campground close to the Rio Grande
Keri B
VerifiedFebruary 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We were able to walk right over to the Rio Grande and had a Mountain View on the other side from site 2. Water for drinking was available and also non-potable water. The vault toilet bathrooms were always clean, and the campground was quiet and friendly.
Lane D
VerifiedFebruary 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood Site 6. Excellent experience. Relatively level site, not too close to others, smaller campground, very quiet, beautiful setting. Had an owl hanging out in the Cottonwood tree overhead in the evenings. Close to Santa Elena. Stayed in a 26 ft TT which was fine for the drive in down Ross Maxwell and the site itself, but would not recommend for anything much larger. Stating the obvious - no electric, water or generators; and this is far to the west side of the NP, so be prepared to drive a fair amount to see Chisos Basis and Boquillas (both must-do).
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
