Big Bend National Park12
Campsite #12 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
$16
Campsite #12
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 30 ft | Back-in |
| 2 | weak |
4/30
Campsite #12 Features: Drive-In access, Back-in parking, 30ft driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (12)
3.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 75% |
| 4 star | | 8% |
| 3 star | | 17% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@GeorgeW7407057 · Camped on Dec 29, 2024 at Campsite #12
I was able to get a smidge of T-Mobile signal with 4.5 Mbps download and 0.1 Mbps upload. That was with a roof mounted Pepwave antenna. It was usable for basic web browsing, but nothing else significant. Starlink worked well. Site quality varies for both the view and solar. No generators allowed so the best sites for solar are 19, 28, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14.Decent enough campground but out site wasn't great. It's backed up against another site and had shading during early morning and evening for solar purposes. Some inconsiderate neighbors during the New Years holiday period. We needed every inch of the site to fit our 30 foot rig in, but it was doable. The site was gravel/dirt and levellable with standard techniques.You access the campground via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The road is in good shape, but it's two lane and curvy. Not a huge deal besides the bad drivers that seem to cross the center line around every curve. The access road to the park is dirt but in good shape and not notable. There's a moderate amount of highway noise, but it dies off in the evening.We saw Javelinas, various birds, and a gray fox.This place is far from everything else except the Santa Elena Canyon area. There is no dump station, the closest one would be an RV park in Study Butte. Potable water is available at the campground entrance, but not for filling up RV tanks. Non-potable spigots are throughout.The only propane fill is either at Rio Grande Village in the park (an hour drive) or the Alon station in Terlingua (45 min). The Alon station apparently only fills on the weekend - we called many other RV parks and other places without success.Vault toilets are available, along with dumpsters and recycling cans. Camp hosts were on duty across the highway in a separate area. No wood fires were allowed but propane fire pits were.I don't think we'd stay here again vs. planning farther in advance and getting a backcountry site or staying in Big Bend Ranch.
@bradf2551374 · Camped on Nov 21, 2024 at Campsite #12
Nice camp space with trees and level lots. Clean bathrooms.
@FrancesD9DB326 · Camped on Feb 15, 2024 at Campsite #12
This is a fantastic campground. It is quiet, close to many hiking opportunities, and conveniently located to the Castolon visitor center. There is some Wi-Fi and cell reception at the visitor center. The bathrooms were the cleanest bathrooms Ive ever seen in 9 months of being on the road.
@HansPeteF5AD1D · Camped on Dec 19, 2023 at Campsite #12
nicely crested gravel spot perfectly leveled.
@GageDB4F64C037 · Camped on Dec 12, 2023 at Campsite #12
Such a cozy and beautiful spot. Very quiet and clean. The bathrooms were astonishingly clean as well. Amazing spot.
@Katherine94445 · Camped on Dec 8, 2023 at Campsite #12
Beautiful campground. I have stayed here several times over the years and have always had a good experience. This time we did the lost mine trail, and the santa elena trail. Both were beautiful!
@LeahKatieT686 · Camped on Apr 11, 2021 at Campsite #12
This was such a great campground. It’s the perfect place to camp if you plan on staying on the west side of the park or spending a lot of time at the Santa Elena canyon. It’s definitely quite a long (but beautiful) drive to and from the campground if you’re spending time in other areas of the park, so be prepared for that. We drove the Old Maverick Road half the time, and while it’s a dirt road and takes as long to drive as Ross Maxwell, it’s a beautiful drive and it’s fun to see other parts of the park you wouldn’t otherwise see. The bathrooms were clean, the park rangers were super friendly, and the stars were incredible.
@KathyM918 · Camped on Mar 23, 2021 at Campsite #12
While the campground is very well maintained and has great (flat/spacious) campsites, it's significantly more rustic than I've experienced. Rustic sites are not bad in general, but this is not advertised as rustic. There is 1 location for drinking water, which "trickles" (10 minutes at best to fill. Standard water bottle. The next drinking water is 60 min away. All other water is non-potable. There is not utility sink to wash dishes or drain cooking water, yet it is a location that experiences javelinas and other wildlife including warnings for bears. It is unclear where to dispose of cooking water or simple Grey water. Camp rangers site is a 1/2 mile down the road.
Because of a fire a few years ago, there is no camp store within 60 miles.
Sites are great though. All else is no comparison for the other equivalent campgrounds at 13 other national parks I've camped at.
Because of a fire a few years ago, there is no camp store within 60 miles.
Sites are great though. All else is no comparison for the other equivalent campgrounds at 13 other national parks I've camped at.
@RebeccaM773 · Camped on Mar 1, 2021 at Campsite #12
An amazing experience! I plan to be back.
@PaulineB758 · Camped on Feb 8, 2021 at Campsite #12
11th year I've stayed here. First time I've needed reservations.
@PaulaW581 · Camped on Jan 26, 2021 at Campsite #12
Cottonwood was a treat. Nice clean bathrooms and great service from campground hosts. I was traveling with my dog so I was unable to hike on trails but spent hours walking on the gravel roads- River road, Glen Springs and the Old Ore road. I spent too much time in the car because to see the whole park required I do a lot of driving. I had three days in the park. My advice is to stay longer so you can spend more time relaxing and still see it all in its amazing beauty.
@ErinB626 · Camped on Jan 18, 2021 at Campsite #12
Cleanest Pit Toilets I've use. Campground was very clean. Beautiful cottonwood trees. We saw an Owl.
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