Big Bend National Park2
Campsite #2 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
$16
Campsite #2
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 33 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | good |
2/19
3/29
Campsite #2 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 33-foot driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (24)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 75% |
| 4 star | | 21% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 4% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@PhilipAW1762D2 · Camped on Feb 7, 2026 at Campsite #2
My husband and i had only one night to spend at Cottonwood but even at that i always looked forward to staying there due to the large cottonwood trees and the birds they attracted. Imagine my shock as we drove in and found so many had been cut down. The campground didn't even look like Cottonwood and of course, the birds were scarce, at least where we were camped. I gave Cottonwood 5 stars because of past memories there. I am hoping that the NP will be planting more trees to take the place of those large old cottonwoods that offered shade and homes for birds. We'd had an owl in a tree over our camper one year and always saw Vermillion Flycatchers there. Not this year.
@DylanM9136853 · Camped on Mar 2, 2025 at Campsite #2
Quiet campground, tucked away near Santa Elena canyon. Feels like a nice retreat away from the center of the park. Beautiful sunrise and sunset views here.
@SarahR6066410 · Camped on Feb 17, 2025 at Campsite #2
Very nice quiet campground near the Rio Grande and Santa Elena canyon. Camp host was very helpful. The bathrooms were clean.
No Service
@BETHANYG406222 · Camped on Jan 17, 2025 at Campsite #2
Nice quiet campground with very clean pit toilets.
Excellent
@MarkH6047851 · Camped on Nov 21, 2024 at Campsite #2
It is an absolute outrage that something as simple as spending the night in a Public Campground requires anything more than choosing a site and dropping a few bucks in a lock box. The Nanny State control freak Fascists demanding 1) computer 2) internet 3) credit card 4) personal ID 5) Further personal ID ( license plate) - That makes SIX! Is the epitomy of an Orwellian police state in utter contempt of the Forth Amendment of our American Blll of Rights, and the polar opposite of brief respite from our sick excuse for culture in the eternal state of nature. Nice job, Comrades!
@AnthoniusE89D4 · Camped on Feb 5, 2024 at Campsite #2
Very nice and quiet campground with clean facilities and a friendly staff.
Good
@KatiaF11C56928 · Camped on Feb 15, 2023 at Campsite #2
Nice and quiet camground. Site numer 2 is unfortunately not very nice because it is at the entrance of the camping. i think sites at the other end were quieter.There was a great horn owl at the campground!The hosts were very nice.
@KeriB7813001 · Camped on Jan 28, 2023 at Campsite #2
We were able to walk right over to the Rio Grande and had a Mountain View on the other side from site 2. Water for drinking was available and also non-potable water. The vault toilet bathrooms were always clean, and the campground was quiet and friendly.
Some Coverage
@CharlesE498863 · Camped on Dec 9, 2022 at Campsite #2
Really a pleasant, quiet and relaxing campground. It may have been unique to our stay, but this campground seemed to attract a very quiet type of camper. It would be really nice if this campground included the shade structures that Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin had. If the weather had been hot, the lack of shade could have been tough. As in the other campgrounds, there are lots of nice options for hiking.
Major Issues
@ScottN8104786 · Camped on Nov 20, 2022 at Campsite #2
Very clean, well taken care of sites. Some construction projects going on which were a bit of an eyesore, but otherwise happy with the experience.
No Service
@monikao17CDFB3 · Camped on Nov 12, 2022 at Campsite #2
stayed at site #2. Loved the camp ground... except for the construction going on.. and the workers not very considered of driving slow in the park.. kicking up dust... etc.. Camp host was very nice. Irrigation guy was very nice and friendly! We had a wonderful stay and we are looking forward to return next year.
Major Issues
@karenc188078F0 · Camped on Jun 1, 2022 at Campsite #2
Wow, it was an incredible experience. We found nothing wrong here. It was peaceful, exciting and the staff was very friendly.
No Service
@CarlaD7660801 · Camped on May 15, 2022 at Campsite #2
This is a small campground with shade available at almost every site. We had site #2 at the entrance, farthest from the toilets which wasn't that far. Mid day shade was not very much but later afternoon was great. No real check in process, just go to your reserved spot and set up camp. No one ever came by to confirm we were even supposed to be there. Sites were spaced out so you didn't feel cramped. Toilets were clean and well stocked, and the only smell was from the outside. We had visits from roadrunners and an owl, but no other critters. This was a great little campground on the west side of the park and highly recommended by us.For future reference, the visitor center is closed for the season in May and the camp store is only open from 10am-4pm
No Service
@RebeccaH696815 · Camped on Apr 13, 2022 at Campsite #2
Incredible birding at the campground, great shade and soft grass.
No Service
@EricS9323236 · Camped on Feb 9, 2022 at Campsite #2
Great campsite, very spaced out from other campers. Santa Elena trailhead a few miles down the road, closet campground to it. There is a small store near by, no gas so be sure you are fueled up coming in (closest fuel 30+ miles away). One of the nicest camp hosts we have met.
No Service
@RodrigoC12285D · Camped on Nov 12, 2021 at Campsite #2
Very nice and open campground just a couple of minutes away from the majestic Santa Elena Canyon. Stayed here for 2 nights and got to see Javelinas walking around the campground and a wide variety of birds. If you're sleeping in tent, be aware, they flood the entire campground to irrigate and this will force you to camp at the parking pad. There's not much dry space left for your tent and your car.
Major Issues
@RodrigoC546 · Camped on Nov 12, 2021 at Campsite #2
Very nice and open campground just a couple of minutes away from the majestic Santa Elena Canyon. Stayed here for 2 nights and got to see Javelinas walking around the campground and a wide variety of birds.
If you're sleeping in tent, be aware, they flood the entire campground to irrigate and this will force you to camp at the parking pad. There's not much dry space left for your tent and your car.
If you're sleeping in tent, be aware, they flood the entire campground to irrigate and this will force you to camp at the parking pad. There's not much dry space left for your tent and your car.
Major Issues
@AnneB822 · Camped on Mar 2, 2021 at Campsite #2
These are tough times, so I don't want to complain needlessly. However, the drinking water spigot was barely a trickle right from the start. That's a problem. On the the 6th of March the water main was apparently broken, so there was NO potable water. It would have been nice to be informed as to where potable water was available. Good thing we were leaving that day!
@DeyaniraM957 · Camped on Feb 28, 2021 at Campsite #2
Lovely campground and very close to Santa Elena Canyon. Very spacious and felt private despite it being open.
No Service
@SandraL587 · Camped on Feb 6, 2021 at Campsite #2
Our group of 4 had a great time. Not sure we would stay at Cottonwood. We preferred to be at RGV, however could not get a spot there. My biggest complaint was the showers were not working. They are very much needed for some. We still enjoyed the park and had many great hikes and made lots of memories. Thanks
No Service
@WadeD252 · Camped on Jan 25, 2021 at Campsite #2
Cottonwood campground is in a stunning location right on the Rio Grande. While not convenient to the Chisos basin area (it's about a 1hr drive) there are still plenty of great hikes to do and its close to the Santa Elena canyon which should not be missed!
No Service
@DavidH214 · Camped on Dec 28, 2020 at Campsite #2
Cottonwood is a beautiful campsite. We watched the full moon rise over Castolon Peak on a beautiful evening, two nights before Big Bend was shut down by the big snowstorm.
No Service
@KimM8115265 · Camped on Dec 9, 2020 at Campsite #2
Cottonwood was a great experience for us. The stars were on full display and the campgrounds were spotless, including the vault toilets! The sites were gravel and level. We highly recommend booking a spot here.
No Service
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