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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX).
Rates, Sites & Availability
29 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
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.
Chang-Ru T
VerifiedJanuary 2, 2023 • Stayed at: A, Loop: Group Site A
Really nice camping area for groups!
We really had a great time!
Anthony W
VerifiedJanuary 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great location close to Santa Elena canyon, drop toilets were very clean. Friendly and helpful camp host. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because several of our neighbors were loud late into the night.
Justin M
VerifiedJanuary 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood is definitely the best campground in Big Bend for those who are looking to get away from it all! It is the most quiet and least populated. We loved the No Generators policy! Like the other campgrounds in the park, the services are basic and there are no showers or flush toilets, but everything is clean and there is a camp store close by. Camping under mature trees down by the river is a fantastic experience. Amazing stars! Great place for accessing the Santa Elena Canyon nearby!
Hailey L
VerifiedDecember 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Get winter camping spot!
Niklaus M
VerifiedDecember 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Uwe M
VerifiedDecember 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground is well laid-out and shaded. Panoramic views are nearby. However, the graded dirt road from Cottonwood to Study Butte for food, supplies and gas is off-limits to sedans, so to reach that town one must backtrack towards Panther Junction and then take the paved road to Study Butte.
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
