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
Michael A
VerifiedDecember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Camp volunteer was great. Can't remember his name.
brian k
VerifiedDecember 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
As a minimalist tent camper, I had enjoyed the Cottonwood campground numerous times in the past. This Thanksgiving week, 2020, was horrible. Numerous big-rig campers and trailers arrived well after dark, after bedtime, and took hours of banging, clanking, repeated horn honking, kids running and screaming, dogs running and barking till the wee hours of the morning. Isn't there some cut off for arrival time and "end of party" ? I packed up and left the next morning.
Robert F
VerifiedNovember 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The grounds are clean and well maintained. Bathrooms clean and well stocked. The park rangers polite and friendly.
The problem I had was with the guests being loud after dark, and running a generator at night (which I understand is not permitted).
David W
VerifiedNovember 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We were there the first day of opening for two nights. Cottonwood is awesome - been there many times in our younger days. A squadron of javelinas came into a vacant area of the campground right across from us for 10 to 15 minutes. Tiny baby to big papa. Owls during the day, serenades by coyotes at night, a number of beautiful birds, up close visits by the ever friendly roadrunners. The Rangers were very non-intrusive but came by several times to inform us and make sure everything was going OK in the campground. An overall wonderful experience.
Evan M
VerifiedNovember 24, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great site. Plan to camp in a small gravel pad Or call ahead for the schedule as they sometimes flood the grassy areas early in the morning for irrigation purposes. Very weak cell service near the entrance. None at my campsite. The pulloff at the Chimney Trail head - a few miles prior to Cottonwood has 4 bars signal and is a good place to stop on the way in (on Ross Maxwell drive) if cell service is needed. Good clean toilet areas. Water designated as non potable (I was told by park representative) is in fact chlorinated so can be used for rinsing.
Elizabeth W
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2020 • Stayed at: A, Loop: Group Site A
Cottonwood is a little off the beaten path (about an hour, to be exact) but the scenic drive makes the trek pleasant. The campgrounds were very quiet and the night sky was gorgeous!
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
