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
“Perfect quiet place to see the west side of the park”
Reviewed 2/14/2017
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 27' |
Overall Rating
Old-school NPS campground with everything you need (water, bathrooms, space) for a weekend or week-long trip to this side of the Park. The cottonwood trees that you camp under are amazing as well as the daily visits from the local Javelina family. As others have mentioned, the place can and does flood, so if you are tent camping, p... more
Old-school NPS campground with everything you need (water, bathrooms, space) for a weekend or week-long trip to this side of the Park. The cottonwood trees that you camp under are amazing as well as the daily visits from the local Javelina family.
As others have mentioned, the place can and does flood, so if you are tent camping, plan accordingly. The RV spaces are elevated. Our 27' trailer would only really fit in a few spots, so anything longer may be at risk of not having a large enough spot on holiday weekends.
We did get a fairly good Verizon signal down there with a booster.
Van-Tramp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good location within Park for hiking”
Reviewed 11/7/2016
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 26 |
Overall Rating
Sites are gravel and very short. Had to park in at a diagonal. No dump and limited fresh water access. Also, be aware that they flood the lower areas at night. There are signs but it was odd waking up next to water. Pit toilet bathrooms but very clean. No cell or wifi service. Probably would stay Croton Springs CS1 or CS2... more
Sites are gravel and very short. Had to park in at a diagonal.
No dump and limited fresh water access. Also, be aware that they flood the lower areas at night. There are signs but it was odd waking up next to water.
Pit toilet bathrooms but very clean. No cell or wifi service.
Probably would stay Croton Springs CS1 or CS2 if we ever come back. Chisos Basin looks great but I would not take a trailer longer than 20'.
KenneysSeeAmerica would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good overall campground”
Reviewed 12/27/2015
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 22' |
Overall Rating
We chose Cottonwood to be a bit off the beaten path. It worked out great - the other campers were friendly, the bathrooms spotless, and we enjoyed exploring this end of the park. Sites were a little small so we had trouble cramming our truck in our spot without blocking views from the trailer. However the camp hosts came by and invited... more
We chose Cottonwood to be a bit off the beaten path. It worked out great - the other campers were friendly, the bathrooms spotless, and we enjoyed exploring this end of the park. Sites were a little small so we had trouble cramming our truck in our spot without blocking views from the trailer. However the camp hosts came by and invited us to park the truck near the bathrooms (we were at the far end...). Camp hosts came out each day to make sure all was ok and offer any help/advice for the area.
Meg and Ben would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, peaceful spot, far from civilization”
Reviewed 12/20/2014
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | N/A |
Overall Rating
There are three campgrounds in Big Bend: Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, and Cottonwood. Rio Grande is like a commercial campground, with full hookups, showers and a store. It and Cottonwood are closer to the river, so they are much warmer. Chisos is at a much higher elevation and is significantly colder. We went to BBNP a co... more
There are three campgrounds in Big Bend: Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, and Cottonwood.
Rio Grande is like a commercial campground, with full hookups, showers and a store. It and Cottonwood are closer to the river, so they are much warmer.
Chisos is at a much higher elevation and is significantly colder. We went to BBNP a couple of years ago in late February with reservations at Chisos and quickly moved to Cottonwood for warmth. Cottonwood is a great spot if you like dry camping. Only facilities are pit toilets and good water. There are no reservations at Cottonwood, but we’ve never had a problem getting in. Typically, we’ll take a spot for a night, then get one of the better, shadier spots for a week. Generators are not allowed.
The campground borders the river, but very rarely floods. In the springtime, river water is allowed into the campground, area by area, to irrigate the trees. When approaching the campground from the north, you’ll appreciate the contrast — a beautiful, lush set of trees suddenly pops out from the dry desert just north.
There is no wifi at all. There is a store about a mile away that picks up one bar on Verizon. Drive north about a mile or two and you can get email or texts.
Birds are plentiful, highlighted by a pair of great horned owls. We’ve seen fox, road runners and a bobcat. Javelinas are plentiful at times.
Santa Elena Canyon is not far and the hiking is great. After Santa Elena, Upper Burro Mesa Canyon trail is recommended.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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16 reviews
Big Bend part 2 - Continuing our Big Bend Adventure. - Full Time RV Living
We continue exploring all that Big Bend National Park has to offer. We get our 4x4 van dirty with some mild off-roading on River Road on our way to Mariscal Mine and we travel to the Chisos Basin again...
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Big Bend National Park – West – Tales from a Van-Tramp couple
Our time in the Western part of Big Bend National Park was spent camping at the Cottonwood Campground. It is a no-frills campground, but the only established campground nearby the Saint Elena C...
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Birthday in Big Bend
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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