Campsite #7 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX

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Campsite #7

33 reviews
Drive-In 8 people
38 ft Back-In
2 fair
7
3/2
3/22
Campsite #7 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 38-foot driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (25)

3.0 out of 5

5 star
80%
4 star
4%
3 star
16%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

@EllenS9303532 · Camped on Feb 6, 2026 at Campsite #7
Cottonwood is a good basic campground. There was little shade as most of the trees have died because of the severe drought in the area. The pit toilets were good, and staff was willing to assist with any issues.
@JulieL6668775 · Camped on Mar 10, 2025 at Campsite #7
Loved the smaller campground. Lots of space, a friendly host and quick trip to Canyon.
@JeffreyJ698559 · Camped on Mar 5, 2025 at Campsite #7
Lovely, quiet campground. Spots have plenty of space, although desert vegetation provides little privacy. No cell service. The host was friendly and helpful, and the campground was spotless.
Verizon
No Service
@RichardD237266 · Camped on Feb 16, 2025 at Campsite #7
This campground was clean, quiet, and safe. The night sky was spectacular during our stay and good proximity to great hikes including the Santa Elena canyon. Would stay here again!
@JakeH1312886 · Camped on Nov 12, 2024 at Campsite #7
The campground was clean. Nice to have a few trees. We are self contained in our RV so the pit toilets were not an issue. I checked them out and they were clean and well kept. My only gripe is the no generator running and no engine running rule. The campground is beside the road so car traffic noise is there regardless. What's the point?
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@JeannaS55F5020 · Camped on Jan 30, 2024 at Campsite #7
Nice site, wonderful hosts and volunteers, the most scenic drive in the park to get to the campground
Major Issues
T-Mobile
Major Issues
@JeannaS55F5020 · Camped on Jan 30, 2024 at Campsite #7
Nice site, wonderful hosts and volunteers, the most scenic drive in the park to get to the campground
Major Issues
T-Mobile
Major Issues
@TerriM85581540 · Camped on Jan 28, 2024 at Campsite #7
Cottonwood Campground is a gem. Well run, spacious, friendly, and comfortable. I will be back!
@StanSDEA06C429 · Camped on Dec 5, 2023 at Campsite #7
The camping is nice. The policy of saying all the campgrounds are full is quite frustrating due to the very limited Wi-Fi and cell coverage in the parkWhen you can get signal it is extremely difficult for someone who is older and not a computer guru to navigate the website on a phone.I understand the intent is to avoid cash and get folks to reserve but it is very frustrating and the ability to discover which sites are available is not up to,speed..Excellent team of volunteers are trying ..but we found it very frustrating..There were many great sites unreserved but we were forced into the less desirable ones..
AT&T
Major Issues
@GabrielF981287 · Camped on Apr 8, 2023 at Campsite #7
Lovely, calm, beautiful campsite. The least developed of the 3 in Big Bend and in my opinion the best and most peaceful. Access to hikes is obviously a bit better in Chisos but there's plenty near Cottonwood. Flowers were blooming all around our campsite.
@AnneK5209378 · Camped on Mar 4, 2023 at Campsite #7
beautiful quiet campground; helpful friendly volunteers
Verizon
Some Coverage
@JonneSA3F463ED · Camped on Jan 12, 2023 at Campsite #7
Quiet smaller campground. No generator policy helps keep things quieter. Also since smaller sites no big rigs can fit, just a heads up. Ranger came to tell us a male Horned Owl was in a tree and to go look. That owl was huge. No cell service which was known ahead of time. Plenty of shade from the trees. Great overnight stay.
Verizon
No Service
@MarissaG9B94A4 · Camped on Nov 25, 2022 at Campsite #7
Great campground near Santa Elena Canyon. Smaller and more peaceful than other Big Bend campgrounds, but also expect to hear some owls at night!
AT&T
No Service
@Christian78293 · Camped on Nov 11, 2022 at Campsite #7
Nice campground. Small but a lovely area. Good for stargazing.
@PeggyT6EE1EE18 · Camped on Nov 10, 2022 at Campsite #7
Smallish campground in far corner of Big Bend. Lots of construction going on so very noisy 12 hours a day. After that very quiet. Clean vault toilets. Enjoyed the great horned owls and saw our first vermilion flycatcher.
Verizon
No Service
@NickWD1F20E0BC · Camped on May 3, 2022 at Campsite #7
Fantastic campground with large level sites. The only place in the park where you will find shade on the hottest days under the cottonwoods. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Amazing place to see all kinds of birds including two grey horned owls.
AT&T
Some Coverage
@AlB9523023 · Camped on Feb 28, 2022 at Campsite #7
My favorite campground at Big Bend - quiet, cool and near some favorite spots like Santa Elena Canyon and Cerro Castellan and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Love the owls, birds and javelinas too! There is no cell service there which is just fine for us spending a week off the grid. We can get cell service at Panther and Chisos and don't need to have it in camp - it's a good way to keep our phones in our pockets and listen to the owls.
AT&T
No Service
@JerryG8943024 · Camped on Feb 26, 2022 at Campsite #7
Bonnie Winslow, the camp host was friendly and diligent in her duties.
Verizon
No Service
@VinhL3122A2A3F · Camped on Feb 18, 2022 at Campsite #7
Very secluded and quite
T-Mobile
No Service
@DAVIDJ6790409 · Camped on Feb 6, 2022 at Campsite #7
We chose site 7 for tenting. The site along fence at north of campground are large and have greater privacy for tenters. Drop toilets were spotlessly clean and odor free. Sunsets and sunrises were wonderful. Large resident owl kept us entertained. Be aware they regularly flood the sites in sections for irrigation of grass and trees so if your tenting you could be asked to move to the pad beside the bench for a day or so. All the Rangers were very pleasant and helpful. A quiet site, not busy even when full. Thoroughly recommend it.
AT&T
Major Issues
@RuthD266 · Camped on Jan 14, 2022 at Campsite #7
Lovely place for birding, seeing Western half of Big Bend and simply relaxing. Quiet (NO generators!) and wildlife (coyotes, javelinas, etc.) LOVED our stay here!
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@CarlosB926 · Camped on Jan 5, 2022 at Campsite #7
Enjoyed the peace and quiet of this campsite. Santa Elena Canyon very close to this area. The star gazing was incredible. Highly recommend
Verizon
No Service
@EmilieZ969 · Camped on Dec 27, 2021 at Campsite #7
We love how spacious the campsites are at this campground, and we really enjoy the peace and quiet. Very family friendly, nice rangers, saw an owl and a bunch of javelinas.
AT&T
No Service
@CurtisW973 · Camped on Dec 21, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great trip. Great campground. Unbelievable park. Needed way more time.
Verizon
No Service
@CraigF426 · Camped on Dec 13, 2021 at Campsite #7
Great location near river. Much less busy than BB Village area, if you prefer isolation. With our WeBoost we had cell service.
Verizon
Good

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