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.
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates29 total sites
RV Sites
28 sites
Tent Sites
1 site
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
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Reviews (578)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
Review Summary
Mark L
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great place to camp close to the canyon.
Thomas M
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (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.
Julie O
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We had a limited time in the park so for this visit we stayed pretty close to the scenic drive and enjoyed lots of the hikes off of it. We loved camped at Cottonwood. It was quiet and peaceful down there and everyone was so friendly! We enjoyed the wildlife ranger led talk right across from our campsite and even had a campsite neighbor show us planets, constellations and the moon on his telescope. We will definitely choose this location again for a future visit to the park.
jackie c
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great park staff. Very clean. These are the best outhouses ever! Great Horned Owls nesting in the tree. We had a great time!
cindy p
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very peaceful with lots of bird and other wildlife. Generators are not allowed, but occasionally people still used them, usually just for one night then they left. We chose this campground because generators are not allowed, so were disappointed to have a generator running next to us several times, and often through the night and all day, during our 2 weeks there. I know the website for this campground says that generators are not allowed but apparently people either didn't see that or ignored it. We love listening to the birds and the breeze in the cottonwoods and did not appreciate having that drowned out by a loud machine.
The bathrooms were spotless and cleaned every day. The camp host came around frequently and was very friendly.
We really enjoyed our stay and will likely be back.
Sherry B
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Sites are pretty close together with no obvious places to put a tent (maybe in the drainage ditch that runs between the parking spots)?? Our site was across from a spigot that was spewing out water continuously. Regardless, this is a good location for bird watching, star gazing, and visiting Santa Elena. And the pit toilets were remarkably clean and well maintained. Walk into the exit of Santa Elena canyon, picnic at the Santa Elena take-out, and if you want to see other birds, visit the Sam Nail Ranch. I wouldn't miss the walk down to the Chisos Mountain Window (sunset!) or the Lost Mine Trail (scenic overlooks into Mx; bring a picnic!) Enjoy this beautiful rugged park!
Kathleen M
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This is a beautiful, quiet campground!
Christopher K
VerifiedJanuary 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice campground. Roomy sites for tents, with plenty of space between neighbors. Pit toilets were about as nice as pit toilets can be. The only negative thing to say about this campground is that there was only 1 source of drinking water, and that was at the far end of the campground from my site. That may change in the future, as it appeared that there was some ongoing work being done.
Mark R
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful campsite located right next to the Rio Grande, away from busier areas in the National Park. The campsite hosts were great; very friendly. They pointed out an owl quietly perched in one of the nearby trees.
Andrew B
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Perfectly sized, campground was fully booked but didn’t feel crowded. Good variety of people including families, everyone was quiet by 10pm. Park ranger was helpful and friendly, bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Would absolutely stay here 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.
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.
Elevation: 649 feet
Nearby National Park
In Big Bend National Park
Approximate driving time: 48 min
549 mi drive to downtown Big Bend Nat. Park (about 8 hr 58 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.
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Last updated: September 9, 2026
