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
Jessica L
VerifiedDecember 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This camp site is amazing, nice view with enough space. Willing to come back again. Nice experience!!
Aniruddha S
VerifiedDecember 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I spent a night at campsite 15. It was well shaded, and also had a section with open skies above - great for stargazing! The bathrooms were well maintained, and there was water available near the adjacent campsite. It's a nice, quiet, campground, great for visiting Santa Elena Canyon in the morning, avoiding the crowds.
Jerod V
VerifiedDecember 24, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great. Stars were incredible.
stuart b
VerifiedDecember 21, 2020 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The spaces at Cottonwood are a little more cramped than at Rio Grande village for instance and at first I was nervous at the proximity. but the folks around me were quiet and the partial closure helped also with the sense of privacy. I slept well there and the proximity to great hikes makes the place amazing.
Ernest P
VerifiedDecember 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I was disappointed to see that this campsite is operating at only 50% due to the covid-19 virus. This is a small campsite with campsites that are well spaced. There is no reason for the limited capacity.
My stay there was pleasant.
Kim M
VerifiedDecember 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood was a great experience for us. The stars were on full display and the campgrounds were spotless, including the vault toilets! The sites were gravel and level. We highly recommend booking a spot here.
Eve W
VerifiedDecember 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
It was a great site, very quiet.
Christina W
VerifiedDecember 8, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground is very spacious! Traveling in November, we enjoyed the warmer temperatures than in the Basin. Also, grassy fields make setting up the tent very easy. The bathrooms are very clean and we enjoyed our private picnic table and grill. There was a water spout for non-drinking water right next to our spot and drinking water close-by.
Driving into the basin takes about 45+ minutes. The Santa Elena Canyon is close and we will try the river activities next time.
Lindsey L
VerifiedDecember 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
A really pretty campground! Lots of trees and shade. The spots are pretty spread out too. A good spot if you’re wanting to do the Santa Elena Canyon Trail.
Daniel B
VerifiedDecember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I would rank it the best in the park, although call ahead if you can to see the last time they irrigated, because this will change where you will put your tent. We had road runners, vermilion flycatcher‘s, and javelina near our site, and although the Javelina can bother you for food we do not experience this problem. Make sure you were careful if you put your tents on the raised area in the campsite, as we had an ant he’ll, and hours and several ants crawling my wife‘s shoes. This campsite is very close to Santa Elena Canyon, as well as several hikes in the park, but if you want to do the longer hikes in the basin it is an hour drive. And because parking is crowded you need to leave at least 45 minutes before sunrise in order to get a spot at trails such as lost Mine trail. Overall I think this was a really great place to stay during our visit, but my wife and I both agree, that it would be best to do two days in Cottonwood campground, and then one or two days in the basin for a great experience.
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 13, 2026
