Campsite #6 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX

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Campsite #6

27 reviews
Drive-In 8 people
35 ft Back-In
2 weak
6
3/26
Campsite #6 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 35-foot driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (25)

5.0 out of 5

5 star
64%
4 star
16%
3 star
20%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

@AraceliS14197E · Camped on Feb 21, 2026 at Campsite #6
Beautiful place, well maintained campground
@WilliamA169700 · Camped on Dec 31, 2025 at Campsite #6
This is a great, smaller campground. Camp host was very friendly and helpful suggesting possible hikes. Potable water available along with non-potable spigots if you're willing to boil or treat. The vault toilets could use some solar lights to make using them at night easier. Every site has trees and shade which is a plus. They also have picnic tables and a BBQ grill, no wood fires though. Quiet, even though it's very close to the road. Javelina foraged through the camp and we were able to get fairly close which was a treat.
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@GavinB8514890 · Camped on Mar 3, 2025 at Campsite #6
Well of course Big Bend is an awesome place. However typical of many of the campgrounds in national parks there are no services. All of the campgrounds in big bend basically cater to young tenters but are full of older people in RVs. Texas state parks are much nicer than national parks.
T-Mobile
No Service
@EarlP9651700 · Camped on Feb 8, 2025 at Campsite #6
Enjoyed our 1 night at Cottonwood. Very quiet and campground host very friendly and informative.
AT&T
No Service
@BruceB5637806 · Camped on Jan 25, 2025 at Campsite #6
Nice campground, campsites are not too close together and #6 is level. The restrooms were very clean! Santa Elena Overlook and Santa Elena Trailhead both worth checking out. Chimneys Trail out ~2.5 miles (5 mi out & back) to the petroglyphs is cool!
AT&T
No Service
@RobertO7909406 · Camped on Jan 14, 2025 at Campsite #6
Stayed in site 6 and had a great view of two mountains. Site was mostly level, used one block. Close to bathrooms. This campground was very peaceful.
@LarryB24FBE94A · Camped on Nov 22, 2024 at Campsite #6
We liked the cost and location to trails and Santa Elena Canyon. However it was a bit cramped when full. Also we arrived on a Friday and a sign said full but it appeared 60% full. Needs to be good system to handle no shows and allow a hybrid of First come First served. Overall not a bad site but next trip want to experience the other campgrounds
@NickS9183761 · Camped on Mar 22, 2024 at Campsite #6
Very clean and well maintained.Sites were nice and levelWould like a sign suggesting slow speed through campground as a lot of dust gets kicked up with cars driving by
@CharlesS661433 · Camped on Feb 21, 2024 at Campsite #6
Well kept camping spot. Campground host was very friendly and stopped by to check on us our first and only night. Close to Santa Elena which is a must see if you make it to west side of park.
@MichaelS838841 · Camped on Jan 18, 2024 at Campsite #6
Great hikingClean campground and bathroomsAmazing experience
Verizon
No Service
@KarenG3722457 · Camped on Jan 8, 2024 at Campsite #6
Basic campground, only stayed the night and left at dawn.
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@DERIEKEC7FD743 · Camped on Dec 8, 2023 at Campsite #6
The campground hosts were friendly. My night at the campground was pleasant and quiet.
@MichelleW64922 · Camped on Nov 12, 2023 at Campsite #6
Wish the bathrooms could be upgraded. Camp host was friendly and helpful. Beautiful park!
AT&T
No Service
@BrigidQ1818998 · Camped on Feb 1, 2023 at Campsite #6
very comfortable and private. Do not miss the hike in Santa Elena Canyon
AT&T
Major Issues
@LaneD0B10D9E4A · Camped on Jan 26, 2023 at Campsite #6
Cottonwood Site 6. Excellent experience. Relatively level site, not too close to others, smaller campground, very quiet, beautiful setting. Had an owl hanging out in the Cottonwood tree overhead in the evenings. Close to Santa Elena. Stayed in a 26 ft TT which was fine for the drive in down Ross Maxwell and the site itself, but would not recommend for anything much larger. Stating the obvious - no electric, water or generators; and this is far to the west side of the NP, so be prepared to drive a fair amount to see Chisos Basis and Boquillas (both must-do).
AT&T
No Service
@SandyW2939864 · Camped on Jan 24, 2023 at Campsite #6
Stayed in January. Small-ish campground offers vault toilets, dumpsters, bear boxes, and one water source. Altered our westward trip to avoid having to winterize our Class C coach. On the map, this campground is on the Rio Grande River. However, the river cant be seen from the campground, and access is fenced off. No biggie because beautiful river access and overlooks are found along the road leading to Santa Elena Canyon, which you can see from many vantage points on the drive through the park and through which the river flows. Limestone cliffs to the left of the canyon are in Mexico; to the right, all part of Big Bend NP. Best time to see the texture of these tall cliffs is in the morning. Plan drives through the park when sun is behind you or on your right or left flank.
Verizon
Some Coverage
@KarlaR97F302E1 · Camped on Jan 14, 2023 at Campsite #6
This is like real camping. We love the natural settings. Santa Elena trail was amazing. The history around the area is interesting. The visitor center shows the history if you are interested.
T-Mobile
No Service
@michaelg734741 · Camped on Nov 6, 2022 at Campsite #6
The camp was in the middle of some improvements, so it was a bit torn up. It would be nice to have some paved roads.
Verizon
No Service
@dannyc6A6B713C · Camped on Oct 11, 2022 at Campsite #6
Staff was friendly and helpful.The campground had nice toilet facilities (pit, but cleaner than many with flush toilets) Campsites are far enough away from each other. (Was due for a mowing though)Trails are pretty well marked, the cleanup crew did a great job of making roads passable after the recent rains.Visitor Center events were great, especially the stargazing night.This is a VERY large park, having gas available in Panther Junction (within the park) and reasonably priced was wonderful!We ran off our solar power and potable water was available if needed, would be nice to have some shower facility available.Hope to come back soon and access the Hot Springs (were underwater this trip)
Verizon
Some Coverage
@RobertM1452522 · Camped on Feb 8, 2022 at Campsite #6
LOVELY AREA AND CG WAS NICE AND QUIET!!
Verizon
No Service
@KurtW514 · Camped on Dec 17, 2021 at Campsite #6
No potable water. no phone service
@JohnD784 · Camped on Nov 5, 2021 at Campsite #6
Quiet and clean
@MayN924 · Camped on Mar 13, 2021 at Campsite #6
Not enough parking spaces at the trail heads. Plan to leave for trails early in the morning for parking.
T-Mobile
No Service
@WaltonN823 · Camped on Feb 26, 2021 at Campsite #6
A great campground for dry camping. The pit toilets were clean and well maintained and the sites were in good condition.
Verizon
No Service
@MitchellW803 · Camped on Jan 8, 2021 at Campsite #6
Very scenic campground. Very quiet with no generators allowed. Restrooms were clean. Convenient to Santa Elena Canyon.
Verizon
No Service

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