Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)
Big Bend National Park — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: BIG BEND NAT. PARK, TX, TX
Price: From $16 per night
Price range: $16–$60 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (569 reviews)
Season: May through October
Cottonwood Campground is a quiet desert oasis in the southwestern corner of Big Bend National Park. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 30 sites campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 30 individual sites.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cottonwood-big-bend-tx to be notified when sites open up.
Cottonwood is a quiet, remote desert campground in Big Bend National Park's southwestern corner with large individual sites near Santa Elena Canyon and the Castolon Historic District. Real campers praise it as a secluded experience with minimal crowds and convenient access to scenic attractions.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions, collared peccaries, American hog-nosed skunks, and various raptors including great horned owls inhabit the area within 8km.
Insider tips for Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx): Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Sites are large and suitable for self-contained RVs despite lack of hookups Located 30 minutes from Santa Elena Canyon, 30 minutes from Castolon, and roughly 1 hour from Rio Grande Village
Skip Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx) if: You require RV hookups—none available at this campground. You need shade—most cottonwood trees were recently removed. You rely on generators—not permitted.
Best time to visit Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx): May-October — Official operating season for Cottonwood Campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Chisos Basin — Big Bend NP (Big Bend National Park, TX), Big Bend Backcountry Camping (BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX), Rio Grande Village Group Campground (Big Bend, Tx) (BIG BEND NAT. PARK, TX).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)
Cell signal at Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx) (BIG BEND NAT. PARK, TX): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Cottonwood Campground is a quiet desert oasis in the southwestern corner of Big Bend National Park. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 30 sites campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 30 individual sites.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Sites are large and suitable for self-contained RVs despite lack of hookups
Located 30 minutes from Santa Elena Canyon, 30 minutes from Castolon, and roughly 1 hour from Rio Grande Village
Official operating season for Cottonwood Campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 u
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Big Bend National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Big Bend National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx) cost per night?+
What season is Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx) open?+
Does Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)?+
How do I make reservations at Cottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)?+
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●Data sources on this page
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