Cottonwood Campground
The Quick Take
Cottonwood is Big Bend's best-kept secret campground, tucked at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive where most visitors never bother to go. With barely two dozen sites and a strict no-generator policy, it delivers the kind of desert silence that Chisos Basin -- the park's most popular campground -- simply cannot. The trade-off is real: no showers, no flush toilets, no cell service, and a solid 36-mile drive from park headquarters. But you get cottonwood trees for shade, potable water on-site, and you're minutes from Santa Elena Canyon, arguably the most dramatic hike in the park. The seasonal closure from May through October means you're camping during Big Bend's most comfortable months. Choose Cottonwood if you want the quietest sleep in a park that already feels like the edge of the world.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 22 sites are reservable.
Book at Big Bend LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
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. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Rules to Know
- Fires:Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood Campground.
- Generators:Generators are not allowed in Cottonwood Campground.
- Bear Safety:Pets may not be left unattended for their safety and for the safety of other visitors and wildlife.
Pro Tips
Reservations open just 14 days in advance and there are only 21 individual sites, so mark your calendar and book the moment your window opens -- especially for February and March weekends, which sell out within hours of becoming available.
Santa Elena Canyon trailhead is a short drive from camp. Hit it at sunrise before the day-trippers arrive from Chisos Basin -- you'll have the canyon walls and Rio Grande reflections almost entirely to yourself.
Stock up on firewood alternatives before you enter the park. Wood fires are banned, so bring a propane campfire or a good camp stove. The nearest reliable grocery run is Alpine, roughly two hours away, so pack as if you're provisioning a backcountry trip.
Photos
NPS
NPS
NPS / C. HoytGetting There
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.
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