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
Tessa E
VerifiedDecember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It was a great time. Peaceful campsite. Beautiful park. Will be back.
Luis L
VerifiedDecember 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Good place to camp a few days and see the western part of the park and stargaze in peace and quiet. Currently under construction adding more camping spots to enjoy.
Ali T
VerifiedNovember 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground was clean and well maintained. The views are spectacular and it's conveniently located in the park.
monika o
VerifiedNovember 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
stayed at site #2. Loved the camp ground... except for the construction going on.. and the workers not very considered of driving slow in the park.. kicking up dust... etc.. Camp host was very nice. Irrigation guy was very nice and friendly! We had a wonderful stay and we are looking forward to return next year.
Scott N
VerifiedNovember 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very clean, well taken care of sites. Some construction projects going on which were a bit of an eyesore, but otherwise happy with the experience.
CPT. Richard v
VerifiedNovember 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Although Cottonwood Campground has less amenities compared to the other two campgrounds at Bid Bend, it is very well placed within the park for the most diverse scenery that is close to the road for easy access on foot, or just to view from your car.
As with all the facilities here, the restrooms are very clean. Do understand, however, that with the charm of a more rustic experience, comes the need to be prepared to deal such things as not having water at your site. Thus necessitating a short walk to a faucet. No internet or power and spotty cellular coverage. If you have solar power capability this is a great place to make use of it.
Bring a means to wash your dishes and pots such as a collapsible or hard sided basin. Something that will allow you to use the recommended technique of making the short walk to the fence line to do the washing. Thus keeping food smells away from your tent site.
This side of the park has some interesting and easy to get to geological features that should not be missed. Drive along the main road until you see something that calls to you, fine a place to pull over and venture out for a one to two mile walk out and back. With the numerous rocky features, so close to the road, that can be reached car from Cottonwood in as little as 5 to 15 minutes, you can plan on a short trip out to a great spot at sunrise, or sunset and still be close to camp.
The one really important consideration to be aware of is that from time to time the famous cottonwood trees will be watered by flooding the grassy low ground around and in between the elevated campsites. This only a problem if you have a tent and choose to set up on the grass and not on the elevated area. Yes there are some small rocks on the elevated area which makes the lower grassy areas very attractive. Driving a tent stake into the ground of the elevated pad is very challenging, but also into some spots on the grass. Have a mallet.
Janet R
VerifiedNovember 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I'm happy to see the new sites and toilets being built.
David S
VerifiedNovember 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Easy
Peggy T
VerifiedNovember 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Smallish campground in far corner of Big Bend. Lots of construction going on so very noisy 12 hours a day. After that very quiet. Clean vault toilets. Enjoyed the great horned owls and saw our first vermilion flycatcher.
Michael L
VerifiedNovember 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice well-maintained campground. Park volunteers made sure everyone was taken care of. I personally had a foot injury and they stopped to check on me (as a solo traveler) during their rounds. Saw javelinas and a pair great horned owls. Love the proximity to the Santa Elena canyon, The quiet and isolation was very peaceful. Woke the last morning to the distant cries of far-away wolves. High recommend
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.
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Last updated: June 5, 2026
