Big Bend National Park3
Campsite #3 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
$16
Campsite #3
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 36 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | no signal |
4/21
4/25
Campsite #3 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 36-foot driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (20)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 95% |
| 4 star | | 5% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@FeliciaM4EEE49 · Camped on Mar 4, 2026 at Campsite #3
Close to Santa Elena Canyon & Castalon so good location for those areas. Smaller campground, but nice spacing. Sadly the big cottonwoods had to be cut down so there isnt much shade at many sites. Restrooms, but didnt use. Fresh water spigots in park. Had a weird experience, hopefully isolated someone briefly opened and slammed my van rear door in middle of night. I generally always lock doors! By time I looked outside, no one around. Maybe a kid prank. Otherwise, all good!
@lisag1860020 · Camped on Feb 20, 2026 at Campsite #3
This is a nice, quiet area of Big Bend. Very few campsites, so very few people. Water spigots were clearly marked with potability of water. Vault toilets were clean. Would definitely stay again.
@GabrielM971453 · Camped on Nov 27, 2025 at Campsite #3
Wonderfully maintained campground. Camped here during thanksgiving holiday and had an amazing time with my fiance. The campground is a little isolated from the main hustle and bustle of the park, so very nice for people looking for some peace and quiet. Campsites are very well maintained, each with a picnic table and a small coal grill. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Both potable and non-potable water taps work very well throughout the grounds.
No Service
@EricG3571303 · Camped on Apr 18, 2025 at Campsite #3
Very nice campground near Santa Elena Canyon. Well kept, large level sites and decent bathrooms. We went in mid-April and the weather was nice - highs near 90 and lows near 70.
No Service
@KevinS8513228 · Camped on Apr 1, 2025 at Campsite #3
Cottonwood is a quiet little campground with easy access to the main road. It is conveniently located close to a ranger station and the Santa Elena Canyon overlook and access. Plenty of shade to be had. Bear-proof lockers at each campsite, water spigots, drinking water, and toilets are amenities available. Found a woodpecker nest above my tent. Lots of bird activity right in the campground.I would stay again. Tent or travel trailer (pretty soft ground to sleep on).
No Service
@JustinP9530522 · Camped on Feb 17, 2025 at Campsite #3
The lady there was no nice and accommodating. Place was clean and well organized.
No Service
@TimF3815900 · Camped on Feb 2, 2024 at Campsite #3
Nice quiet campground with easy to access, level sites. Wide spacing between sites provides distance, if not privacy. Good spot to see various birds and wildlife - notably a great horned owl and a javelina during my stay. Pit toilets are the best - clean, stocked, private. This is a great place to relax after a day driving and exploring the park.
@ReneW364C3AC4A · Camped on Jan 19, 2024 at Campsite #3
Very quiet, lot of room (at least in January)
No Service
@MichelleP94407 · Camped on Dec 23, 2023 at Campsite #3
Great for birding, easy to pitch the tent, smaller number of sites, so we met many of the other campers! A bit remote from some of the other spots in the park, prepare for some driving
@boor4736280 · Camped on Apr 9, 2023 at Campsite #3
Make sure you bring a red headlamp for stargazing. Plan to pack in and pack out your trash and keep in mind that water is scarce. I would've brought more water from home had I been more conscious of that fact. Lots of cool critters around and easy access to a multitude of trails on the west side of the park. Easy access to town in case you need gas or groceries as well. Great campsite, extremely pleasant volunteers (shout out Bonnie!), indiscribable star watching, and nice shade on hot days. I can't wait to come back and backpack :)
@TraciV11694BB0 · Camped on Mar 5, 2022 at Campsite #3
We stayed at all three campgrounds in Big Bend and Cottonwood was our favorite! No hookups or generators so very remote and quiet. We were able to see the owls, javelinas, and road runners. The Santa Helena hike is a must not far from here.
@ChihWeiWCFB101 · Camped on Feb 20, 2022 at Campsite #3
Small but clean/nice campground at a perfect location. Each camp site is nicely separated. Camp hosts are super friendly and helpful. Extra note: not much shade here, and the wind could be very strong in this location.
No Service
@ShirleyS228134 · Camped on Jan 17, 2022 at Campsite #3
Bathrooms were very clean.Drinking water was available.
No Service
@ShirleyS581 · Camped on Jan 17, 2022 at Campsite #3
Bathrooms were very clean.
Drinking water was available.
Drinking water was available.
No Service
@DavidH622 · Camped on Jan 10, 2022 at Campsite #3
the NPS volunteers where great, very friendly, knowledgeable and nice.
No Service
@JESSICAC320 · Camped on Nov 14, 2021 at Campsite #3
We stayed here for 3 days and had a great experience. The camphosts were great, bathrooms, sites, and land overall maintained beautifully.
No Service
@AlanB870 · Camped on Feb 25, 2021 at Campsite #3
I love Cottonwood campground. It hasn’t changed since my first trip there in 1982.
No Service
@AlanB7325973 · Camped on Feb 25, 2021 at Campsite #3
I love Cottonwood campground. It hasnt changed since my first trip there in 1982.
No Service
@Christina16941 · Camped on Nov 28, 2020 at Campsite #3
The campground is very spacious! Traveling in November, we enjoyed the warmer temperatures than in the Basin. Also, grassy fields make setting up the tent very easy. The bathrooms are very clean and we enjoyed our private picnic table and grill. There was a water spout for non-drinking water right next to our spot and drinking water close-by.Driving into the basin takes about 45+ minutes. The Santa Elena Canyon is close and we will try the river activities next time.
No Service
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