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
Mat W
VerifiedMarch 26, 2022 • Stayed at: A, Loop: Group Site A
Stayed at the group site and it was so spacious worked great for our Scouts BSA Troop!
Al B
VerifiedMarch 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
My favorite campground at Big Bend - quiet, cool and near some favorite spots like Santa Elena Canyon and Cerro Castellan and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Love the owls, birds and javelinas too! There is no cell service there which is just fine for us spending a week off the grid. We can get cell service at Panther and Chisos and don't need to have it in camp - it's a good way to keep our phones in our pockets and listen to the owls.
Traci V
VerifiedMarch 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We stayed at all three campgrounds in Big Bend and Cottonwood was our favorite! No hookups or generators so very remote and quiet. We were able to see the owls, javelinas, and road runners. The Santa Helena hike is a must not far from here.
James W
VerifiedMarch 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Really a great place. Tucked away at the bottom of the park. Many birds, good bike rides and hikes.
The volunteers do a great job of keeping you informed.
Victoria S
VerifiedMarch 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
If you are seeking experiences in nature, birds, insects, mammals this is the place! If you need connection to your devices go elsewhere. Sites are level but not for large rigs. Attentive camp hosts. Immaculate bathrooms.
Erin K
VerifiedMarch 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Our site, #16, had just enough space for a small tent and our vehicle. The camp host was absolutely phenomenal and checked in multiple times a day. She let us know when our zone was going to be flood irrigated so that we didn’t have our tent in the grassy areas. The flood irrigation seemed to bring a lot of bugs to the campground, something that we didn’t experience in Chisos or Rio Grande.
Katya R
VerifiedMarch 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Stayed four nights in site 17 late February 2022. Plenty of room for our 25' Airstream and truck (we parked the truck perpendicular to the trailer at the front). This site is tucked away in the corner by the group site. According to the camp hosts, the group site is mostly booked on weekends. The group camping during our stay were a great set of young adults--we had no problem with noise (and it was nice seeing people get together, be outdoors and have fun). Otherwise, this is our favorite place to camp in Big Bend: lots of birds, peaceful, shade, grass... can't ask for more.
Yvonne G
VerifiedMarch 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Super clean restrooms, wonderful campground hosts who give you all sorts of interesting information and help with any directions you need. Well spaced out , level spots. Saw some "resident" great horned owls and other neat birds.
Jerry G
VerifiedMarch 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Bonnie Winslow, the camp host was friendly and diligent in her duties.
Paul K
VerifiedMarch 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Small, peaceful campground. Great access to the western portion of Big Bend NP. Thankful that generators are not permitted.
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
