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.
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates29 total sites
RV Sites
28 sites
Tent Sites
1 site
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
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29 Sites Available
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Reviews (578)
What Guests Are Saying
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.
What Guests Are Saying
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.
Review Summary
Alexander T
VerifiedJanuary 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice.
Shaun H
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I loved our campsite, not a ton of other campers, super close to the Rio Grande, great for exploring that side of the park and in decent proximity to Terlingua if one wants to go into town.
Sarah R
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
We stayed in both cottonwood and rio grande village and cottonwood was the better of the two. Quieter and closer to many more hikes. Vault toilets were supremely clean!
Violet G
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
An amazing remote campground with beautiful views.
Torre N
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
The campground is a 45 minute drive from the main visitor center at Panther Junction, the closest place for gas, so plan ahead. The campsites have wonderful, flat, parking spaces. The campground has very sparse vegetation so that there isn’t any privacy between the sites. Pit toilets only, but very well maintained and odor controlled. There is only 1 spigot for drinking water at the front of the campground which is a bit of a hike if you're at the back. They have FULL recycling-including paper. The campground is quiet and safe. The ‘store’ at Castolon is very minimal. The best store is at Rio Grande campground. I would not want to be in this campground in hot weather because there isn't any shade. The Rio Grande river is close, but very low river levels-its more of a small, slow stream.
Graham C
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 027 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
For a campsite of this purpose it was what you would hope for. There were several water supplies. BBQ and bear box at each campsite. The compostable toilets were as well maintained as you can expect and the views were great. Note that it is almsot 50 minutes from Chisos Basin but there are a lot of great hikes nearby.
Elizabeth N
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
During our visit, we saw a very well run campground. Our camp host was diligent and we saw her making her rounds multiple times a day, making sure everything was in order. The pit toilets were cleaned regularly. It is unfortunate that the campground isn’t on a first-come basis anymore.
william a
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
This is a great, smaller campground. Camp host was very friendly and helpful suggesting possible hikes. Potable water available along with non-potable spigots if you're willing to boil or treat. The vault toilets could use some solar lights to make using them at night easier. Every site has trees and shade which is a plus. They also have picnic tables and a BBQ grill, no wood fires though. Quiet, even though it's very close to the road. Javelina foraged through the camp and we were able to get fairly close which was a treat.
jose a
VerifiedJanuary 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I greatly enjoyed the silence and the wind at this beautiful campground near Santa Elena Canyon. It is a wonderful place. The caretakers are very kind. One of them asked a truck with loud music to turn it off—that was excellent. These remote places are meant to be listened to, not invaded. Great campground. Very adequate restrooms.
Vera agostina L
VerifiedJanuary 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 029 ADA, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
I wish the bathroom had electricity because I was scared of the snakes
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.
Elevation: 649 feet
Nearby National Park
In Big Bend National Park
Approximate driving time: 48 min
549 mi drive to downtown Big Bend Nat. Park (about 8 hr 58 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: September 9, 2026
