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
Jay B
VerifiedOctober 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Campground was great - lots of wonderful campers present, and not hard at all to find. Definitely can see the Milky Way, planets, etc. on a dark night. Heard some coyotes off in the distance throughout the night. Would definitely recommend this campground.
Dennis M
VerifiedOctober 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
good spot if you want to explore this part of the park but campgrounds a bit sparse.
Brigitte G
VerifiedOctober 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Green oasis, we'll set up and convenient for Santa Elena excursion
Dan H
VerifiedOctober 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice campground.
James B
VerifiedOctober 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood is a nice, no-frills campground with shade for warm weather months.
James T
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Campground is a little out of the way, but is nice and has some welcome shade trees. Definitely visit the Santa Elena Canyon Trail nearby. It was worth the waist- deep wade across Terlingua creek. It’s an amazing and unexpected place!
Gretchen C
VerifiedOctober 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great place to camp! Site is big grassy area w large cottonwood & other trees, unpaved road in camp yet quiet at night. No generators etc. Santa Elena overlook & trail were highlights. Crossing the river to access trail was ‘ being a kid all over again’ feeling. Enjoyed the homesteading sites trails too.
Gretchen C
VerifiedOctober 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Bathrooms were clean & smelled great- as in they didn’t stink! Appreciated the hand sanitizer& the drinking water tap by the entrance. Camp was quiet and clean. Enjoyed our stay!
JOHN A
VerifiedOctober 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very pleased.
Great road trip experience!
Danny C
VerifiedOctober 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Staff was friendly and helpful.
The campground had nice toilet facilities (pit, but cleaner than many with flush toilets)
Campsites are far enough away from each other. (Was due for a mowing though)
Trails are pretty well marked, the cleanup crew did a great job of making roads passable after the recent rains.
Visitor Center events were great, especially the stargazing night.
This is a VERY large park, having gas available in Panther Junction (within the park) and reasonably priced was wonderful!
We ran off our solar power and potable water was available if needed, would be nice to have some shower facility available.
Hope to come back soon and access the Hot Springs (were underwater this trip)
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
