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
No available sites
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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
Frank W
VerifiedJanuary 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Nice basic campground. Helpful volunteer staff.
Karen W
VerifiedJanuary 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood was a beautiful and silent place. The host was super helpful and checked in with us every day. We spent three nights there and hiked the Mule Ear's spring trail and Santa Elena Canyon trail. It was verdantly green compared to the rest of the area and there was even regular grass in the campsites. It was a fantastic stay.
Ruth D
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Lovely place for birding, seeing Western half of Big Bend and simply relaxing. Quiet (NO generators!) and wildlife (coyotes, javelinas, etc.) LOVED our stay here!
Brendan J
VerifiedJanuary 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Where to start,
We arrived late on a Saturday (around 8pm) and promptly began setting up our camp. We were then greeted by Lou (An absolute saint of a man) who proceeded to provide the most warm welcome that we have ever received. On his nightly foot patrol of the campground it was clear that Lou cared deeply for the fortunate souls that had the pleasure of inhabiting cottonwood campground. As for the campground itself, the sites are secluded yet offer the slightest slight glimpses of neighboring campers. The bathrooms were immaculately maintained and the water pressure was stunning to say the least. As the darkness lifted on our first morning songbirds began the tweet and flutter about and the truant campers emerged from their vessels like vampires waking from a 1000 years rest. We departed toward Santa Elena canyon for sunrise and were treated to scenes reminiscent of a Claude Monet painting. As we returned to camp the couples (undoubtably from Minnesota) were making laps out of the well trodden gravel road that encircled the campground with their coffees in hand. We departed with a wave to Lou and Ed the camphosts and had a wonderful day in the rest of the park.
David H
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
the NPS volunteers where great, very friendly, knowledgeable and nice.
Loanne K
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very peaceful smaller campground with excellent reception from camp hosts along with do's and don'ts of the area.
patrick r
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
So nice.. like that it is small. Hope to go back soon!
Cal W
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great, quiet site. I have stayed here on three separate trips to Big Bend and really enjoy how isolated it is.
DOUGLAS W
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We really enjoyed our stay at this campground. It is for smaller trailer and RVs but well worth the stay. There are many places to see and hike in the area. The campground hosts do an excellent job of keeping the campground clean. And we had a great horned owl spend a day with us.
Andrea D
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful, quiet .. just what I needed.
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
