Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)

I stayed a site #2. It was near the entrance, but the traffic wasn't an issue. The campground is all gravel roads, so cars going by kick up some dust. The site description does say there is shade, and there is, but only in the morning - something to keep in mind. Site #2 is close to the filtered water and it's close to the Rio Grande river access. It was hot that day, so I took a bath in the Rio Grande. The water felt great and the current is swift. Make sure to bring some river/lake shoes. There is 2 vault toilets a short walk from my camp site. It's a good alternative campground if you can't stay in the Chisos Basin. The drive on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr. to get to Cottonwood Campground is stunning! Plus Cottonwood is close to the Santa Elena Canyon - which I highly recommend. I would stay at Cottonwood again.

The location is everything. Very close to Santa Elena Canyon, plus many hikes and overlooks on the way to and from the campground. Also, easy to walk to the Rio Grande and see Mexico a few feet away. Birds were great - woodpeckers, vermillion flycatchers, ravens, and doves comfortable enough to walk right up into the campsite. Easy rectangle campground, simple to navigate and walk. We found it noisy - children playing and people talking, it was almost like eating in a restaurant with people seated at nearby tables during dinner. Filtered water was available at a station near the entrance, and non-potable water spigots were located every few sites. Two bathroom areas featured pit toilets. Showers and power are not available here, as expected.

This is a nice, quiet area of Big Bend. Very few campsites, so very few people. Water spigots were clearly marked with potability of water. Vault toilets were clean. Would definitely stay again.

Close to Santa Elena Canyon & Castalon so good location for those areas. Smaller campground, but nice spacing. Sadly the big cottonwoods had to be cut down so there isn’t much shade at many sites. Restrooms, but didn’t use. Fresh water spigots in park. Had a weird experience, hopefully isolated… someone briefly opened and slammed my van rear door in middle of night. I generally always lock doors! By time I looked outside, no one around. Maybe a kid prank. Otherwise, all good!

Nice little campground close to Santa Elena Canyon and Castolon. Very flat for camping. Lots of shade. Need to add showers, since it can get very hot there.

Cottonwood is a good basic campground. There was little shade as most of the trees have died because of the severe drought in the area. The pit toilets were good, and staff was willing to assist with any issues.

Close to the Saint Elana Canyon trail, and worth to go checkout the sunset around there as the sun goes down into the canyon

Campsite had a good amount of space and decent shade. Campground, restrooms, and tables were clean. Reasonably close to river access and Santa Elena canyon which is probably one of the best sights in the park. Very little light pollution and very good views to the south if you're looking to do astrophotography.

Very nice clean and quiet campground. The vault toilet was very clean. RO water for drinking.

Very nice clean and quiet campground. The vault toilet was very clean. RO water for drinking.