Nearby Campgrounds
§ 02 — OVERVIEW
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.
Best Seasons
§ 03 — LOCATION
Elevation
2,145 ft
Directions
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.
Weather Notes
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.
§ 06 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 07 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 08—11 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 09 — REVIEWS
§ 10 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 11 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
Sign the ledger to file a review.
Trip Reports
0 reports
§ 04 — AMENITIES
Campsite Fee
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.
RV Information
§ 05 — TRAILS NEARBY
Nearby Trails
Sign in to add your own photos.
No community photos yet — be the first to share one from your visit.
§ 01 — VITALS
No cell coverage detected at this coordinate.
Thu
107°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 15 mph E
Fri
104°F
Mostly Sunny
10 to 20 mph E
Sat
104°F
Sunny
5 to 15 mph SE
Sun
107°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 15 mph E
Mon
102°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 10 mph NE
Tue
97°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 10 mph NE
Wed
103°F
Mostly Sunny
5 mph E