Cottonwood Campground
Big Bend National Park
Write a Review Cottonwood Campground Rd. Terlingua, TX 79852 432-477-2251 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 29.1373, -103.5242
Overview of Cottonwood Campground
Last Price Paid: $6
Reported by ReneC on 3/19/2023
Longest RV Reported: 30 feet (Travel Trailer)
Reported by Embracing Detours on 4/22/2018
Number of Sites 22
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 2,099 ft / 639 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Cottonwood Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 432-477-2251
TheBuckners asked on 1/25/2024
Answer questionReviews of Cottonwood Campground 14 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 3/19/2023
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 1/19/2022
“oasis in Big Bend ”
Reviewed 4/1/2024
| Days stayed: | 3 |
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| Site Number: | 16 |
| RV Length: | 21' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
we loved it here. after driving down through the mountains and desert you reach this lovely well irrigated green space. all the sites look very level, with enough privacy for us. the rangers check a couple of times a day to make sure everyone is ok, and to answer any questions. oh and to make sure your dog is leashed and there is no... more
we loved it here. after driving down through the mountains and desert you reach this lovely well irrigated green space. all the sites look very level, with enough privacy for us.
the rangers check a couple of times a day to make sure everyone is ok, and to answer any questions.
oh and to make sure your dog is leashed and there is nothing hanging from the trees.
water spigots thought out campground but the only potable water is the filtered water at the entrance of the campground . i understand the water throughout the park is not filtered and has a high mineral content?
toilets are clean and well maintained
we had a white wing dove visit us each day hoping to get a treat. and a road runner came wandering through our site one afternoon.
site 16 and 17 seem to have the most shade,
and i’m guessing to say no site would disappoint.
if your camping in a tent be advised that they move the irrigation area around, so a posted high ground
notice will be placed at the sites that are affected.
camper-788630 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Inexpensive, nice level sites - good base camps for a few hikes”
Reviewed 3/19/2023
| Nightly rate: | $6 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 25 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
Arrived in Big Bend National Park during a snowstorm, luckily our first night was in Cottonwood, in lower elevations. Roads got better as we went down to Cottonwood. Nice level sites, not too close together (I forgot to take pictures). There is NO cell reception in the campground even with a booster; however, if you drive up the hill... more
Arrived in Big Bend National Park during a snowstorm, luckily our first night was in Cottonwood, in lower elevations. Roads got better as we went down to Cottonwood. Nice level sites, not too close together (I forgot to take pictures). There is NO cell reception in the campground even with a booster; however, if you drive up the hill to the visitors center, they offer Wifi (I did not confirm as I did not walk in), and I was also able to get AT&T cell service from the visitor center parking lot; NO Verizon.
I paid $8 with senior pass, normally $16; vault toilets only, there is potable water tap.
Small store near visitors center.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon
ReneC would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Shady sites and quiet (except for the coyotes!)”
Reviewed 4/12/2022
| Nightly rate: | $8 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
This is a simple campsite with only vault toilets and no running water. Pluses: raised pads with lots of shade widely spaced so it was VERY quiet. Negatives: no running water and when I was there (Jan 2022) lots of standing water which made some site unusable. Also only water in one location which I did not use. I also had no cell (v... more
This is a simple campsite with only vault toilets and no running water. Pluses: raised pads with lots of shade widely spaced so it was VERY quiet. Negatives: no running water and when I was there (Jan 2022) lots of standing water which made some site unusable. Also only water in one location which I did not use. I also had no cell (verizon) coverage.
Finally the campground is fenced to keep out the javelinas (wild boars). I did not see any while I was there.
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Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Best campground in Big Bend”
Reviewed 1/19/2022
| Nightly rate: | $8 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 07 |
| RV Length: | 16' |
Overall Rating
We stayed first in Rio Grande Village, which was more crowded and noisy with generators audible even in the No generator zone. We had NO cell signal there at all. Reservations only, online and we made ours six months in advance. Then we moved to Cottonwood, also reservation online only, but TWO WEEKS ahead! So we made the reservations ... more
We stayed first in Rio Grande Village, which was more crowded and noisy with generators audible even in the No generator zone. We had NO cell signal there at all. Reservations only, online and we made ours six months in advance. Then we moved to Cottonwood, also reservation online only, but TWO WEEKS ahead! So we made the reservations exCtly 2 weeks before. We DID have cell service at Cottonwood. Weak but serviceable on our T-Mobile hotspot. One bar on each of our phones, one Verizon and one AT&T. That was with our WeBoost booster!
Cottonwood is lovely. Quiet. Spacious. Great birding and close to all the West side sites including Santa Elena Canyon. We LOVED it here. Water available at entrance. But no hookups. Great place to get away from it all.
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T-Mobile 4G
RudiOnTheRoad would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful”
Reviewed 1/11/2022
| Nightly rate: | $16 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 3 |
Overall Rating
Well spaced sites. Well patrolled. Clean vault toilets. Near great hikes. Water available.
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AT&T
basecamper would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet”
Reviewed 1/9/2022
| Nightly rate: | $6 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 5 |
| RV Length: | 27' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
We loved. Way off grid, not a hint of cell service. Small rigs, tents and van life fit best.
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Verizon
kartdoug would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Secluded, easy access to trails.”
Reviewed 1/13/2021
| Nightly rate: | $16 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 17 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
Great campground at the south end of big bend. No hookups but that works for us in our camper van. Hiking in the area was fantastic. WanderingWakes.Net
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T-Mobile
WanderingWakes.Net would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Enjoy the west side of Big Bend”
Reviewed 11/13/2019
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 13 |
| RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
After spending 5 nights in Rio Grande Village Campground, we moved to the west side so we could enjoy the hikes and drives on the other side. This is a smaller campground - all dry camping. There are maybe 2 dozen spots. It was relatively empty when we arrived 10/31 and spent 4 nights. We were able to find one suitable for our 27 ft TT... more
After spending 5 nights in Rio Grande Village Campground, we moved to the west side so we could enjoy the hikes and drives on the other side. This is a smaller campground - all dry camping. There are maybe 2 dozen spots. It was relatively empty when we arrived 10/31 and spent 4 nights. We were able to find one suitable for our 27 ft TT. We preferred the more open space of this campground. No flush toilets or dish washing station like RGV but they did have vault/pit toilets and a place to refill water bottles.
Perfect location to explore Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Chisos (we couldn't fit there), and Santa Elena Canyon.
No cell, no internet, no TV, not even a radio station - perfect place to unplug!
From Gridlock To Boondocks would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful campground suited for smaller rigs.”
Reviewed 4/22/2018
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We stayed here for one night in mid-February. This is beautiful campground just minutes away from Santa Elena Canyon(one of the most beautiful spots in the park). Be advised the rows in the campground are very narrow and most sites are meant for smaller rigs. We were able to shoehorn our 30' Airstream into one of the larger spots, but ... more
We stayed here for one night in mid-February. This is beautiful campground just minutes away from Santa Elena Canyon(one of the most beautiful spots in the park). Be advised the rows in the campground are very narrow and most sites are meant for smaller rigs. We were able to shoehorn our 30' Airstream into one of the larger spots, but any larger rigs may have some trouble. This campground is a NO GENERATOR ZONE, so you must be self-sufficient to stay here. There is water available at the entrance and vault toilets if needed. Very quiet and peaceful. A great place to stay to check out the western side of the park. Many great hiking trails and if the clouds will cooperate get up early and try to catch the sunrise at Santa Elena Canyon. Although we weren't able to fit it in, there were also rafting trips on the Rio Grande that looked like an interesting way to explore.
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Embracing Detours would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful!”
Reviewed 12/19/2017
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
No generator campground! Absolutely love that. Under the cottonwoods and very widely spaced spots. The spaces are not very deep, though, so long rigs might have trouble. The bathrooms are clean. The reverse osmosis drinking water is at the spigot on the building at the entrance. Other water is potable, but has a lot of minerals. ... more
No generator campground! Absolutely love that. Under the cottonwoods and very widely spaced spots. The spaces are not very deep, though, so long rigs might have trouble. The bathrooms are clean. The reverse osmosis drinking water is at the spigot on the building at the entrance. Other water is potable, but has a lot of minerals. We didn't find the reverse osmosis stuff very good either. Sites are gravel but roads are paved. The Vermillion Flycatcher that claimed our site as his home was so great. He hung around the whole time we were there.
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AlVie AlBums would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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16 reviews
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When we arrive at our desired campground Cottonwood, on the Saturday before MLK day, all the campgrounds are full. It’s a one-and-half hour back out of the park again to find a space outside the par...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- picnic area
Site Amenities
- picnic table
Facilities
- group sites
- restrooms: vault
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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