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
Anthony C
VerifiedFebruary 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice spot. Camp site far enough from each other. Drinking water available.
Daniel S
VerifiedFebruary 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I will definitely plan another visit to this campground. We camped here in a 21' travel trailer in late January with daytime temperatures in the 50s-60s and night time lows in the low to mid 20's. This is a well maintained semi privative campground with numbered sites, clean vault facilities and good views close by. We camped for 4 nights (we have solar capability and had sufficient daylight for recharging our batteries). Note: this location does not provide a dump station.
Robert G
VerifiedFebruary 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Good with more space between sites. Could remove some of huge stumps on site or rearrange site placement
Carol B
VerifiedFebruary 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Camp grounds well taking care of.
Daniel W
VerifiedFebruary 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
One of my favorite campgrounds in the country
Sandy W
VerifiedFebruary 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Stayed in January. Small-ish campground offers vault toilets, dumpsters, bear boxes, and one water source. Altered our westward trip to avoid having to winterize our Class C coach. On the map, this campground is “on” the Rio Grande River. However, the river can’t be seen from the campground, and access is fenced off. No biggie because beautiful river access and overlooks are found along the road leading to Santa Elena Canyon, which you can see from many vantage points on the drive through the park and through which the river flows. Limestone cliffs to the left of the canyon are in Mexico; to the right, all part of Big Bend NP. Best time to see the texture of these tall cliffs is in the morning. Plan drives through the park when sun is behind you or on your right or left flank.
Stuart C
VerifiedFebruary 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Loved the place
GREG E
VerifiedJanuary 31, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood gives campers the most space between sites. The extra privacy and shield from noise is much appreciated.
Thomas M
VerifiedJanuary 31, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice, well maintained primitive campground.
rebecca B
VerifiedJanuary 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Toilets were very clean campground was quiet and well maintained
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
