Campsite AtlasCottonwood (Big Bend, Tx)
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.
Campsites
| Standard, no hookups | 28 |
| Host/management | 2 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
| Total | 31 |
Amenities & rules
Fees: 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.).
Compiled from site-level records; individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
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.
Campgrounds nearby
Data source: Recreation.gov RIDB, retrieved August 30, 2026. The Campsite Atlas is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Recreation.gov or any federal agency. Always confirm critical details on the official Recreation.gov page before you travel.