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
Julie B
VerifiedMarch 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Really appreciated being able to stay there!!
Joe B
VerifiedMarch 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Quiet, about 10-15 spaces at 2/3 capacity. Dry camping though drinking water provided by reverse osmosis pump. Right on the Rio Grande River. Great host/hostess. One half mile from welcome center with interesting displays of barracks, NCO and officer houses, family home, school and jail. 8 miles to scenic Santa Elena canyon. Easy access to unsaved Old Maverick and River Road West. Access to camp along a paved highly scenic drive named after an early superintendent. 36 miles to gas station. High temperature at end of February was 94 degrees on road. Lots of scenery and historic stops nearby.
William R
VerifiedMarch 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Pretty dumb I think to close off one row of campsites but fill the other completely rather than do every other site
J Linden S
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I never got there, when I booked the reservation I had no clue where Cottonwood was or how difficult it was to get there. Only when I arrived at Big Bend did I discover that navigating was not for my RV. I tried talking to a person, that failed. Eventually I changed it to Rio grande Village, the trees were so low I couldn’t fit my 24’ rig into the space well and neither could my neighbor who was bigger than I was.
Phil D
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The rec.gov site sucks. We had to move every night into different campsites and yet there were people who didn’t show up and there seems to be no way fir the camp hosts to release sites theist were left unoccupied.
Patricia S
VerifiedFebruary 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It is as close to boondocking as you can get without boondocking. Buy a map. Make your reservations early. Check the weather.
Linda H
VerifiedFebruary 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It was rainy with lots of puddles. It took me days to get the mud off my shoes and it was difficult to get the mud out of my car too. The campground is nice when not wet.
George V
VerifiedFebruary 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Pauline B
VerifiedFebruary 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
11th year I've stayed here. First time I've needed reservations.
Sandra L
VerifiedFebruary 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Our group of 4 had a great time. Not sure we would stay at Cottonwood. We preferred to be at RGV, however could not get a spot there. My biggest complaint was the showers were not working. They are very much needed for some. We still enjoyed the park and had many great hikes and made lots of memories. Thanks
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 4, 2026
