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Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park
Cottonwood is a quiet desert campground in the southwestern corner of Big Bend National Park, shaded by the cottonwood trees it is named for and set near the Rio Grande. It sits between the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. This is dry camping with no hookups and no generators allowed, so it stays peaceful, and at 1,900 feet it is popular with birdwatchers. Fall and winter are the comfortable seasons; from mid-March through August it is very hot.
29 campsitesWest Texas
Short answer
Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park books on recreation.gov up to 6 months out. Camp.land watches this campground for cancellations and emails you a booking link when a site opens.
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Campsite Types
Standard (no hookups)
28 sites
No hookups · no generators · dry campingRV OKTent OK
Group tent area
1 sites
No hookups · tent groups onlyTent OK
Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Cabins and vacation rentals in Terlingua and Study Butte sit just outside the west side of Big Bend.
See cabins & rentals near Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Standard sites in the main Cottonwood loop, close to the shade and the vault toilets; reserve on recreation.gov
For Privacy:Sites on the outer edge of the loop, farthest from the day-use area
For RVs:Small rigs can use the standard sites, but this is dry camping with no hookups, no dump station, and no generators
When to Go
Fall and winter. Cool air settles into the low elevations, so October through February is the comfortable window. Spring and summer temperatures routinely top 100 degrees.
Tips
- →Come fully self-contained; there is no dump station or fill station and no generators are permitted
- →GPS may route you onto rough, unpaved Old Maverick Road, so follow the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive instead unless you have four-wheel drive
- →Santa Elena Canyon is a short drive away and best hiked in the morning
- →Bring your binoculars, the cottonwoods draw a lot of birds
Highlights
Shaded, quiet desert oasis near the Rio GrandeMinutes from Santa Elena Canyon and the Castolon Historic DistrictNo generators allowed, so it stays especially quietOne of the best birding campgrounds in the parkEnd of the Ross Maxwell Scenic DriveDark skies away from any town
Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park — Frequently Asked
Is Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park hard to book?+
Yes — Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park is a federal campground booked through recreation.gov, and its sites fill up on weekends and during peak seasons. Fall and winter. Cool air settles into the low elevations, so October through February is the comfortable window. Spring and summer temperatures routinely top 100 degrees. Reserve early on recreation.gov, and set a Camp.land alert to catch cancellations the moment they open.
How many campsites does Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park have?+
Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park has 29 campsites, including Standard (no hookups), Group tent area.
How far in advance should I book Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park?+
Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park is a federal campground, so sites are booked through recreation.gov — typically up to 6 months in advance — not the Texas state park system. If your dates are already full, set a Camp.land alert and we'll email you the moment a cancellation opens.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park?+
Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park occasionally has same-day or cancellation openings on recreation.gov, especially midweek. Camp.land watches Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park for cancellations and emails you the instant one opens, with a direct booking link.
Parks Near Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park
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