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
Cathleen T
VerifiedNovember 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great launching off point for Santa Elena trail. Amazing views from Chisos Basin. Potable water for water bottles.
Scott P
VerifiedMay 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Our site was excellent, with very nice shady trees. Some of the sites have no shade at all and most are not very big. But overall, this campground is excellent. Bathrooms very clean and well stocked. Great hosts who kept a close eye on the campground. We saw LOTS of beautiful birds, including some very enjoyable Roadrunners and a resident owl in Site #5. Santa Elana canyon was wonderful, a highlight of our trip for sure. Low water at this time of year allowed us to hike upstream. Very fun. Bring your water shoes, but we just took off our socks and shoes. Be sure to watch amazing sunsets at Sotol Vista, another highlight of the trip!
Angela S
VerifiedMay 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Basic campground with lots of space, almost no cell service, but perfect spot to go crash and do some stargazing after exploring Big Bend all day.
Eddie F
VerifiedMay 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice campground with huge trees for shade. There is water available to fill your bottle but not to fill your RV tank...
Andre R
VerifiedMay 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Our trip to Big Bend was long anticipated. Although the Cottonwood campground was literally on the Mexican border, we felt safe. It was also very quiet. Our fellow campers were considerate and the bathrooms were clean. We are not used to such a limited camping experience; however, not having showers, not being able to do wood fires or setup our hammock slightly dinged our experience but overall we enjoyed the park but may consider a different campground in the future.
Frank L
VerifiedMay 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Post speed limit sign with an explanation about courtesy and dust...most violators do not stay in the campground. Also, should allow some use of generators to prepare meals. Bathrooms were clean and host was helpful.
Dongmei R
VerifiedApril 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
A very quiet campground. The restroom is very clean, staffs are very nice. Close to santa elena canyon which is the most beautiful trail in the park.
Marlies I
VerifiedApril 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This campground is an oasis in the desert. There is a lot of shade, clean drinking water, clean restrooms, and water spigots nearby. There is a fence surrounding the campground for safety from animals. And it is just down the road from Santa Elena Canyon. The park host came by a few times each day to make sure everything was good and had helpful information about the park.
Edwin M
VerifiedApril 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We stayed in Cottonwood Campground for six nights in mid-April 2021. We got very lucky with cool weather--the evenings were in the 50s! It can be hot in April--so keep that in mind. We stayed one night in #14 and the rest in #16. Our trailer is 25' and it was a little tight (maybe a 27-28' trailer could fit...). We had to be a creative with tow vehicle parking, but we managed. We absolutely loved site #16--it was shady, and because it was the end site, there was a lot of grassy area for hanging out. The campground itself was lovely and quiet, a lot of birds singing (and no generators). Filtered water available at one faucet near the entrance of the campground; there were other faucets with non-potable water. We loved it! Definitely worth staying here if you can manage without electric and water.
Christine Y
VerifiedApril 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Hike to Santa Elena Canyon and if you walk down the river a few miles you will be treated to solitude and beautiful views of the canyon.
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.
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Last updated: June 5, 2026
