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
Trejon W
VerifiedNovember 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Such a lovely time at Big Bend! Very quiet and beautiful for the entire stay. Plenty of trails and sights to see.
Robert F
VerifiedNovember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood campground was fantastic. Sits right on the Rio Grande. No generators!
Thomas M
VerifiedNovember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very small and a long drive but a beautiful one. Camp hosts were very friendly. Cleanest bathrooms of any campground I ever Stayed at!
Julie M
VerifiedNovember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The rangers at Cottonwood Canyon Campground were incredibly helpful in getting me to my site, and sharing some very interesting information about the local wildlife (including two great horned owls that were regulars at the grounds)! The sites were clean, as were the bathrooms, and the other campers were very friendly and respectful. I helped one young gentlemen open a can of beans with a manual can opener. Others let me use their campsites to get good photos of the owls and other birds. This site was a haven for numerous bird species, including the owls, vermillion flycatchers, three different types of woodpeckers, doves, etc. The proximity to Tuff Canyon and Santa Elena Canyon make this an excellent spot to spend your time. Also, the view of the night sky was unbeatable. Highly recommend!
David M
VerifiedNovember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Ed was a great camp host to talk with and had tons of information. The restrooms were very clean and even smelled good. Great camping experience.
Josue D
VerifiedNovember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Had many conversations with Ed the site host. Very pleasant man and offered great information about Big Bend. The campground was very organized and clean. Saw some great wildlife as well. Would definitely recommend. Thank you Ed for being an amazing host. You made our stay a memorable one.
Robert H
VerifiedNovember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Calm clean and way out there. We loved it.
TD T
VerifiedNovember 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet, secluded
Evaristo Z
VerifiedNovember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campsite was beautiful! Most of the time it was quiet - we really enjoyed our stay & plan to be back.
Rodrigo C
VerifiedNovember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice and open campground just a couple of minutes away from the majestic Santa Elena Canyon. Stayed here for 2 nights and got to see Javelinas walking around the campground and a wide variety of birds.
If you're sleeping in tent, be aware, they flood the entire campground to irrigate and this will force you to camp at the parking pad. There's not much dry space left for your tent and your car.
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
