Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)

This is a nice, quiet campground for those who prefer simple campgrounds that don't attract the giant RVs. I like that generators are not allowed and that amenities are limited to pit toilets and water. Be advised it is a couple hours drive from the East side of the park. Not a bad idea to split your time at the Park among this campground and Rio Grande Village and/or Chisos Basin campgrounds just to minimize the driving back and forth.

The quiet and remoteness of this campground was great. It's nice to have a small campground when visiting a national park. The proximity to Santa Elena Canyon is good too

Quiet smaller campground. No generator policy helps keep things quieter. Also since smaller sites no big rigs can fit, just a heads up. Ranger came to tell us a male Horned Owl was in a tree and to go look. That owl was huge. No cell service which was known ahead of time. Plenty of shade from the trees. Great overnight stay.

Cottonwood is the quiet campsite among the Cottonwood trees. It is on the way to Santa Elena which is the highlight of Big Bend.

This is like real camping. We love the natural settings. Santa Elena trail was amazing. The history around the area is interesting. The visitor center shows the history if you are interested.

Toilets were very clean campground was quiet and well maintained

Cottonwood gives campers the most space between sites. The extra privacy and shield from noise is much appreciated.

Nice, well maintained primitive campground.

Loved the place

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.