OutReserve

Cottonwood (big Bend, Tx)

Warning

General

A 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.

Cottonwoods and acacia trees provide shelter and shade to campers.
Tree lined campground
Aerial view of Cottonwood Campground, bright green trees amidst the low desert, riparian area
Small travel trailer set up in tree-lined campground with cliffs in background
Two travel trailers in campsite with trees lining the sites and roadway

About Cottonwood (big Bend, Tx)

Cottonwood Campground is a quiet desert oasis in the southwestern corner of Big Bend National Park. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 30-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 30 individual sites. This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted. There is not a fill or dump station, please come prepared. Cottonwood gets its name from the cottonwood trees that surround and provide shade for the facility nearby the Rio Grande. A general store and visitor center -- a converted former military outpost -- are also nearby. The campground is at an elevation of 1,900 ft. (580 m). It is relatively cool in the peak seasons of fall and winter due to cold air sinking into the lower elevations. In the spring and summer, this campground is very hot, with temperatures normally exceeding 100° F (38° C) from mid-March through August.

Number of accommodations: 29

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Jan 1 to Apr 30

Sites & Availability

29 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 027 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 029 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Electric Only
$16.00
/ per night
A, Loop: Group Site A
25 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night

Reviews (194)

Review Summary

4.5
194 reviews
5
72.2%
140
4
13.4%
26
3
10.8%
21
2
3.1%
6
1
0.5%
1

Peter P

Verified

February 20, 2026 Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

Fantastic place with a billion stars at night. Cant wait to go back.

Jason P

Verified

February 17, 2026 Stayed at: 026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

Orval P

Verified

February 15, 2026 Stayed at: 023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

Just a great experience if you value solitude and quiet.

William W

Verified

February 14, 2026 Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

We enjoyed this campground and beautiful location . Perfect off grid place to get away

Bekii L

Verified

February 14, 2026 Stayed at: 019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

The bathrooms were clean, the campground was quiet and well maintained, the stars were amazing!

Nathan B

Verified

February 13, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

4

Clean site, host was very friendly

Stephen W

Verified

February 13, 2026 Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

3

Large level dirt sites for our 24ft class B camper van but very dusty. There is no dump station and only limited water for drinking. We could not fill our water tank. The campground has lots of hiking opportunities near by and well worth the lack of amenities if you like hiking and are self-contained.

Matt D

Verified

February 8, 2026 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

Great place to camp for exploring Big Bend

Bonnie R

Verified

February 1, 2026 Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

Quiet rustic campground. Will stay again if in area.

Michael T

Verified

January 30, 2026 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)

5

Everything was fine until my second night when campers across from me continued being loud after 8pm quiet hours and I had to ask them to other the facilities and toilets were emmaculate clean thanks very much!

Location Cottonwood (big Bend, Tx)

Address:
Po Box 129
Big Bend Nat. Park, TX, 79834
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 29.1369 / -103.522

Elevation: 649 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
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.

General

Check-in. You may occupy your campsite anytime after 1:00 p.m.. Your site will be marked. There is no official check-in. procedure.

General

Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood campground. Idling a vehicle to provide power is also prohibited.

General

No Hookups or Dump Station. There are no electricity, water or sewer hookups. There is no fill/dump station available at this campground.

General

Group Campsite is Tent Only. The group site is for tents only. RVs and trailers are NOT allowed.

General

Campfires. No wood or ground fires are permitted in Big Bend. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site. 

General

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.

General

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.

General

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. 

General

Hammocks. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.

General

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

General

A 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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