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
Barry C
VerifiedOctober 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice View and very quiet campsite
Chris F
VerifiedOctober 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The pit toilets were very clean. Very quiet and dark at night. We brought a water cooler for drinking water though there is potable and non potable water.
This is the farthest west campground and is 45-1hour away from the lodge. It was about 45 minutes to Far Flung where we went rafting. Would recommend the rafting trip.
M. S
VerifiedOctober 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice, shady place.
Benjamin P
VerifiedAugust 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Place was empty, easily the cleanest campground I've visited.I awoke to birdsong...a group of strange rocks caught my eye I approached them and a family of javelinas stood up and sauntered into the woods 20 yards from my tent..
Karen C
VerifiedJune 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Wow, it was an incredible experience. We found nothing wrong here. It was peaceful, exciting and the staff was very friendly.
Carla D
VerifiedMay 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This is a small campground with shade available at almost every site. We had site #2 at the entrance, farthest from the toilets which wasn't that far. Mid day shade was not very much but later afternoon was great. No real check in process, just go to your reserved spot and set up camp. No one ever came by to confirm we were even supposed to be there. Sites were spaced out so you didn't feel cramped. Toilets were clean and well stocked, and the only smell was from the outside. We had visits from roadrunners and an owl, but no other critters. This was a great little campground on the west side of the park and highly recommended by us.
For future reference, the visitor center is closed for the season in May and the camp store is only open from 10am-4pm
Nick W
VerifiedMay 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Fantastic campground with large level sites. The only place in the park where you will find shade on the hottest days under the cottonwoods. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Amazing place to see all kinds of birds including two grey horned owls.
Elizabeth W
VerifiedMay 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We loved the grass where we set up our tent, and the trees that shaded our site. The ranger that came through the campground to check on new arrivals was very helpful. It also worked out well for us to be close to St. Elena Canyon, because we went there early in the morning to hike the trail, and still had time to get back and pack up before the check-out time. The pit johns were clean.
Kathleen M
VerifiedMay 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It’s a beautiful, quiet campground, and a great location for seeing a variety of birds. It’s also relatively close to some nice hikes like Mule Ears, Santa Elena Canyon, and the Upper and Lower Burrow Mesa trails.
Daniel W
VerifiedMay 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
One of the nicest sites I have ever been to.
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
