Cottonwood Campground
29.1368, -103.5225 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Cottonwood Campground is a quiet oasis in the western corner of Big Bend National Park. Reservations are required. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 22-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 21 individual sites. This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted.
- Every day
- All Day
-Cottonwood Campground is open November 1 through April 30. -Plan ahead. Reservations are required for all sites and can be made up to 14 days in advance. -No first-come, first-served camping. -During the extreme heat of the summer months (May 1 - October 31), the campground is closed.
- Closed for Summer · May 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 · Closed
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Per night. Reservations required through www.recreation.gov Pit toilets, picnic tables, grills, and water are available. No dump station, no generators allowed. Campsite capacity is maximum of 8 people and two vehicles. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Plan Ahead: there are NO first come, first served campsites Reservations required. All campsites are reservation only, up to 14 days in advance. Campground is operated at a reduced capacity during the heat of summer (May 1- October 31) Reservations for Cottonwood Campground are made at: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234078
- Amphitheater
- Yes - year round
- Camp store
- Yes - year round
- Drinking water
- Yes - year round
- Food storage lockers
- Yes - year round
- Host on site
- Yes - seasonal
- Ice for sale
- Yes - year round
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets - year round
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - year round
- Cell reception
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Allowed
- Trailers
- Allowed
- Access roads
- Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
- Classification
- Limited Development Campground
Two campsites are fully accessible with a flat paved surfaces, and paved pathway to the nearby accessible vault toilet. Most other campsites are very level and useable by people in wheelchairs.
Cottonwood Campground is a semi-developed camping option. Road and campsite surfaces are gravel and level. Two campsites are fully accessible with flat paved surfaces, and paved pathway to the nearby accessible vault toilet.
No wood or ground fires. Charcoal grills provided.
No generators allowed at Cottonwood Campground.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Big Bend National Park is located in Southwest Texas, a considerable distance from cities and transportation hubs. Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles east to park headquarters), or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles south to park headquarters). From park headquarters, head west 13 miles, take a left at the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and drive 23 miles to Cottonwood Campground.
The campground is at an elevation of 2,100 ft. It is relatively cool in the peak seasons of fall and winter due to cold evening air sinking into the lower elevations along the Rio Grande. In the spring and summer, this campground is extremely hot, with temperatures normally exceeding 100 degrees F from mid-March through August.
Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood Campground. This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted. Visitors may stay in the park up to 14 consecutive nights, with a limit of 28 nights in a calendar year. During the busiest time of the year, January 1 through April 15, visitors are limited to 14 total nights in the park. Pets are permitted in the campground, but must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be six feet (1.8 m) or less in length. Pets may not be left unattended for their safety and for the safety of other visitors and wildlife. Pets are NOT allowed on trails. Wood and ground fires are prohibited. All food items must be stored inside a vehicle or animal-proof food storage locker.
Cottonwood Campground is a quiet oasis in the western corner of Big Bend National Park. Reservations are required. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 22-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 21 individual sites. This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted.
Drive to Cottonwood Campground
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