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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX).
Rates, Sites & Availability
29 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
29 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Gabriel M
VerifiedDecember 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Wonderfully maintained campground. Camped here during thanksgiving holiday and had an amazing time with my fiancée. The campground is a little isolated from the main hustle and bustle of the park, so very nice for people looking for some peace and quiet. Campsites are very well maintained, each with a picnic table and a small coal grill. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Both potable and non-potable water taps work very well throughout the grounds.
Kameron I
VerifiedMay 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Ranger Jean watching over the campground deserves accolades for being informative, kind, and thoughtful!
brad h
VerifiedApril 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
not much river for being wild and scenic
Eric G
VerifiedApril 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Very nice campground near Santa Elena Canyon. Well kept, large level sites and decent bathrooms. We went in mid-April and the weather was nice - highs near 90 and lows near 70.
Daniel G
VerifiedApril 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Amazing views from Emory peak and the south rim trail. Campgrounds were nice, just wish they had showers.
Jennifer S
VerifiedApril 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
2nd time staying at this campground. Great little gem in the big state of Texas!
Emeterio R
VerifiedApril 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Outstanding! One of my favorite campgrounds. You are close to Santa Elena Canyon and many, many trails. There is a small store around the corner, and you can get some cell service from this spot. Only 25 or so spots. It's very quiet and there are many birds in the trees. This is a dark sky park, and I was able to capture some pictures of the Milky Way.
Guy T
VerifiedApril 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
One Of The best National Park 👍
Kevin S
VerifiedApril 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Cottonwood is a quiet little campground with easy access to the main road. It is conveniently located close to a ranger station and the Santa Elena Canyon overlook and access. Plenty of shade to be had. Bear-proof lockers at each campsite, water spigots, drinking water, and toilets are amenities available.
Found a woodpecker nest above my tent. Lots of bird activity right in the campground.
I would stay again. Tent or travel trailer (pretty soft ground to sleep on).
Morgan G
VerifiedApril 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Cottonwood (TX)
Great location! Short drive to Santa Elena canyon and old Maverick road! Site 17 is close to toilets, water spigot and has decent shade. Would stay at this one again
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
