Description

Texas, Cottonwood Campground Big, Bend National Park(BBNP)

The nearest freeway to the national park is Interstate-10 located 100 miles north of the entrance on Highway-385.  BBNP is an extremely remote park.  100 miles into the park plus an additional 50 miles to the closest Campground.  Make sure your vehicle is in perfect operation before entering this area.  Also, gas stations in the area are far and few in between.  Make sure you have sufficient fuel when entering this remote area. 

Directions:

From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and onto Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 miles south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 miles to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right at the intersection and go 13 miles west. Take a left at the Santa Elena Canyon turn-off and drive 23 miles to Cottonwood Campground.

Please see the Campbase map tab for the exact location. 

Comment

Cottonwood Campground Big Bend National Park, 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.   Located along the Rio Grand River the campground is open all year with 24 RV or tent camp spots.  RV hookups are not available, dry camping only.  There is also a group campground at this location.  There is not a RV dump station at this location.  One option might be the Rio Grand Village dump station but, it's quite a distance away.  Campbase estimates 60 miles.  Some camp spots have shade trees.  This location is quite remote and there are no services including fuel in the area.  Cell service is not available. 

The Rio Grand River runs along the southern edge of the park.  The river is designated a Wild and Scenic river for 196 miles along part of the parks southern boundary.  Swimming in the Rio Grand River is not recommended due to submerged snags, strong currents, dropp-offs and limited exit and entry points.  Should the fast current sweep you down river there are limited places to exit the water due to tall reeds.  Do not swim or wade in the river.  There are no river equipment rentals in the park.  

The best time of year to visit the park is in the fall, winter, or spring.  Summer temperatures tend to be to extreme.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two busiest weekends of the year in the park. 

Be bear and mountain lion aware when visiting this park.  Please secure all food.  

Pets are prohibited on trails and in the back country.