RV Sites
Tent Sites
Hubert B
VerifiedMarch 9, 2026 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We enjoyed our stay at Cottonwood. We loved our time in Big Bend. Especially loved Santa Elena canyon. But, we did wonder why generators aren't allowed.
Helpful
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)
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 1.9 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.
Available sites
29 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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Dec
Currently closed
- Opens on Nov 1
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
Missing information?
Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
29 Sites Available
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002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · 30 × 18 ft · Gravel
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020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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021, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 18 ft · Gravel
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022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · 30 × 18 ft · Gravel
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026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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027 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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029 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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A, Loop: Group Site A
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
29 Sites Available
Site
Price
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002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
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Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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019, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 18 ft · Gravel
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020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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021, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 18 ft · Gravel
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022, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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023, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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024, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 18 ft · Gravel
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026, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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027 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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029 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
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A, Loop: Group Site A
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
582 reviews
Summary
Cottonwood Campground offers a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a low-key experience near Santa Elena Canyon. While many of the original cottonwood trees have been lost, leading to reduced shade and some disappointment, the campground still provides a clean and well-maintained environment, with friendly staff and decent facilities. Visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails, making it a worthwhile spot despite its recent challenges.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Overall rating
Based on 582 reviews
5 stars
69.6% (405)
4 stars
18.7% (109)
3 stars
8.6% (50)
2 stars
2.2% (13)
1 star
0.9% (5)
Showing 582 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Natasha N
VerifiedMarch 8, 2026 Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It’s was the perfect campground for our trip! Close to the River and Santa Elena Canyon. The other campers were very friendly and quiet. The bathrooms were SO CLEAN. I was very impressed and we had the absolute best time camping and see the dark sky at night!!
Helpful
Araceli S
VerifiedMarch 5, 2026 Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Beautiful place, well maintained campground
Helpful
pauline b
VerifiedMarch 4, 2026 Stayed at: 020, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I've been staying at Cottonwood campground for 17 years. It was sad to see the cottonwoods gone. However, I always like to end my stay at Big Bend in this campground. Love how low key it is.
Helpful
Janna T
VerifiedMarch 4, 2026 Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We love boondocking at Cottonwood! It’s our 4th visit!!! Quiet. Remote. A great way to enjoy Big Bend NP. Close to great hikes. Amazing scenery. Santa Elena. Mule Ears. The Chimneys. Campground host Mark was helpful. Informative. Made us feel right at home! We will definitely keep coming back!
Helpful
Tanner M
VerifiedMarch 3, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet and peaceful. Volunteer was really nice!
Helpful
Kim H
VerifiedMarch 3, 2026 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I wish there were at least some trails where you could take your dog.
Helpful
Grant E
VerifiedMarch 2, 2026 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We're not campground people but this was a nice quiet campground. We're used to wilderness camping.
Campsites had decent space between each other.
There is now fresh RO water available near the entry to the campground. Most of the large cottonwood trees have been cut down and they are no longer flooding the grassy areas. If you like quiet and no generators, you'll like it here.
We were in site #9. The photo on the web site is not accurate. There are no trees and there is no pond making it way better than the photos.
Cell phones don't work here but if you drive out of the campground you'll have some coverage.
Starlink works great.
Helpful
RaeLynne H
VerifiedFebruary 28, 2026 Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground needs to be re-named Mesquite Campground. A fire came through years ago and burn the cottonwood trees so there is not as much shade.
Camp site 14 has good morning shade.
Camp site 21 has both shade and morning.
Helpful
Philip A W
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
My husband and i had only one night to spend at Cottonwood but even at that i always looked forward to staying there due to the large cottonwood trees and the birds they attracted. Imagine my shock as we drove in and found so many had been cut down. The campground didn't even look like Cottonwood and of course, the birds were scarce, at least where we were camped. I gave Cottonwood 5 stars because of past memories there. I am hoping that the NP will be planting more trees to take the place of those large old cottonwoods that offered shade and homes for birds. We'd had an owl in a tree over our camper one year and always saw Vermillion Flycatchers there. Not this year.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX)
Po Box 129, Big Bend Nat. Park, TX 79834 United States
Elevation: 649 ft
Getting There
From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 mi (39.8 mi) south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 mi (26.1 mi) to Park Headqu...
From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 mi (39.8 mi) south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 mi (26.1 mi) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right at the intersection and go 13 mi (13 mi) west. Take a left at the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and drive 23 mi (23 mi) 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.
Highway access
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.
Near Big Bend National Park
The closest entrance is: Maverick Entrance Station
Approximate drive: 13.4 mi · 23 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: October 24, 2026
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Big Bend Nat. Park, TX
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