Big Bend National Park encompasses nearly a million acres along the Rio Grande, with Cottonwood Campground serving as a gateway to the park's western attractions. This National Park Service facility sits at 2,200 feet elevation along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, providing access to Santa Elena Canyon just seven miles south.
The 22-site loop occupies a low-lying area near the Rio Grande, where recent tree removal has dramatically changed the landscape. Leonard H. notes that "big cottonwood trees are GONE" with "very limited shade from remaining smaller trees that remain." Sites feature compacted dirt surfaces with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes. Vault toilets and potable water for bottle refilling are available, though no dump station or hookups exist.
Campers consistently report quiet nights despite some road noise from Ross Maxwell Drive. The campground fills less frequently than Chisos Basin, offering better site selection during peak periods. A camp host provides information about local trails and attractions. The elevation creates temperature extremes, with summer afternoons exceeding 100°F and winter nights dropping into the 40s.
Access requires navigating 38 miles of park roads from Panther Junction, with the final stretch occasionally rough after weather events. No cell service reaches the area, and generators are prohibited. Wesley A. found "amazing sky views" for stargazing, while the location provides convenient access to hiking trails along the scenic drive.
Reservations are required year-round, with sites ranging from $16-60 nightly. The campground works best as a base for exploring Big Bend's western section, particularly for visitors planning multiple days around Santa Elena Canyon and the Rio Grande Village area.
Description
Overview
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-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 30 individual sites. This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted. There is not a fill or dump station, please come prepared. Cottonwood gets its name from the cottonwood trees that surround and provide shade for the facility nearby the Rio Grande. A general store and visitor center -- a converted former military outpost -- are also nearby. The campground is at an elevation of 1,900 ft. (580 m). It is relatively cool in the peak seasons of fall and winter due to cold air sinking into the lower elevations. In the spring and summer, this campground is very hot, with temperatures normally exceeding 100 F (38 C) from mid-March through August.
Recreation
Particularly popular with bird watchers, Cottonwood Campground is a haven for those wishing to study the abundant bird life in Big Bend while also escaping the more crowded areas in the park. Because of its diverse ecosystems and plant life, the park provides habitats for many rare and unique birds , including the Mexican mallard, Lucifer hummingbird, Mexican jay, black-capped and gray vireos, and Varied Bunting. Hiking trails are located around the campground.
Facilities
The campground has pit (vault) toilets, potable water, picnic tables, bear boxes, and grills. There are no hook-ups or fill and dump stations, and the use of generators is not allowed. The group campsite is a walk-in, tent-only site; no RVs or trailers are allowed. Vehicle parking is restricted to an adjacent parking area, a short walk from the campsite itself. The individual sites are all similar. Each site has a bear box, picnic table, and raised grill. All have dirt/gravel parking spaces and most are well-shaded with some afternoon/evening sun. The individual sites are on a 2-week reservation window, which means you can make the reservation no more than 2 weeks in advance of your arrival.
Natural Features
The national park is named for a curve in the Rio Grande called the "big bend." For 1,250 miles (2011 km), the river is an International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. Due to its proximity to water, many species of birds are in the Cottonwood area, including nesting migratory birds. Santa Elena Canyon is a beautiful river canyon that can be seen from the campground area.
Nearby Attractions
Santa Elena Canyon, Castolon Historic District, and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive are near the campground.
Fee Info
Entrance Fee. Big Bend charges an entrance fee separate from the camping fee. You may pay the fee upon arrival or purchase in advance. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, military, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
A 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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundCottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park is located in Texas
Directions
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.
Address
PO BOX 129
Big bend nat. park, TX 79834
Coordinates
29.1369444 N
103.5222222 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 5/4/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 5/4/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 4 hrs 4 min from Odessa, TX
- 4 hrs 15 min from Midland, TX
- 5 hrs 11 min from San Angelo, TX
- 5 hrs 24 min from Eagle Pass, TX
