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
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.
Tanner M
VerifiedMarch 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet and peaceful. Volunteer was really nice!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dustin T
VerifiedFebruary 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 029 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Was what we needed after a long drive to get our bearings. This is close to Santa Elana Canyon, so if that's part of your stay, I would recommend this campground.
Everyone was nice and had a great visit with the Campground host who gave us some good recommendations on what to see while we were in the park.
Jeff c
VerifiedFebruary 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very remote and primitive area. Amazing sunset. Within the BBNP. Very close to trail head for Santa Elena Canyon. Absolutely awesome.
nic p
VerifiedFebruary 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Clean campsite, clean restrooms, quite location. Enjoyed the stay.
Peter P
VerifiedFebruary 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Fantastic place with a billion stars at night. Cant wait to go back.
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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Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
