Big Bend National Park21
Campsite #21 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
$16
Campsite #21
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 30 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | weak |
4/23
4/24
Campsite #21 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 30-foot driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (22)
1.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 73% |
| 4 star | | 9% |
| 3 star | | 14% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 5% |
@CharleneMA80E2 · Camped on Apr 13, 2026 at Campsite #21
This is a big dry open field with dry vegetation and VERY FEW trees. VERY hot and no way to escape the heat. Lots of construction visitor center not open.
@BelyndaWBB3EC2 · Camped on Mar 8, 2026 at Campsite #21
The location is everything. Very close to Santa Elena Canyon, plus many hikes and overlooks on the way to and from the campground. Also, easy to walk to the Rio Grande and see Mexico a few feet away. Birds were great - woodpeckers, vermillion flycatchers, ravens, and doves comfortable enough to walk right up into the campsite. Easy rectangle campground, simple to navigate and walk. We found it noisy - children playing and people talking, it was almost like eating in a restaurant with people seated at nearby tables during dinner. Filtered water was available at a station near the entrance, and non-potable water spigots were located every few sites. Two bathroom areas featured pit toilets. Showers and power are not available here, as expected.
@CurtisB5654421 · Camped on Jan 14, 2026 at Campsite #21
very spacious small boon docking park. mostly tents and small campers. spaces were large and mostly level. the outer spots seem to be flatter than the inner spots. nice bathrooms with potable water for jugs only and non potable around the park for cleaning. nighttime was perfect for stargazing.
No Service
No Service
@CurtisB5654421 · Camped on Jan 14, 2026 at Campsite #21
very spacious small boon docking park. mostly tents and small campers. spaces were large and mostly level. the outer spots seem to be flatter than the inner spots. nice bathrooms with potable water for jugs only and non potable around the park for cleaning. nighttime was perfect for stargazing.
No Service
No Service
@maureenm112503 · Camped on Jan 24, 2025 at Campsite #21
This is my favorite campground. Its kept immaculately clean, even the toilets which is hard since they are long drops. Its so pretty and peaceful. The only negative is other campers let their dogs bark which scare the Javelinas and Roadrunners away and breaks the peace. I really wish the National Parks would ban all pets or make a separate pet friendly campground. We are here to enjoy the wildlife and nature. Other than that it was wonderful.
No Service
@GeraldineA96BF · Camped on Jan 18, 2025 at Campsite #21
Great location for this very nice campground in Big Bend. Beautiful views at sunrise and perfect clear night to admire the sky. Great host, very caring!
Some Coverage
@SamanthaO2B7C4 · Camped on Jan 10, 2025 at Campsite #21
Our stay at Cottonwood in Big Bend was fantastic. Within five minutes of our arrival we were completely surrounded by what Big Bend has to offer; uninhibited nature. Wild horses appeared just outside our door, quickly followed by a small group of Javelinas. Cottonwood on the Southwest side of the park was wonderful home base location to explore that side of the park.
No Service
@SanjivH30FF39A · Camped on Mar 17, 2024 at Campsite #21
Good backup when you can't get a campsite in the Chisos Basin. Good viewpoint of Cerro Castellan and easy to get to Santa Elena Canyon. Be wary of flooding and wildlife on the scenic drive in this part of the park.
@MadsA524F7F70F · Camped on Feb 16, 2024 at Campsite #21
Beautiful campground that is secluded. The trees were a nice addition to an otherwiseArid region. The campground was well maintained and enjoyed that there was no generators or dogs barking.
No Service
@KristinW521304 · Camped on Jan 31, 2024 at Campsite #21
This is our second stay here and was just as great as the first. Quiet, clean and lots of hiking nearby. Camp volunteers were very informative and welcoming. Rest rooms very clean every day
No Service
@SHEILAAM161890 · Camped on Apr 24, 2023 at Campsite #21
Very quiet pretty campground. The Santa Elena Canyon hike was beautiful. The Lost Mine hike has spectacular views.
No Service
@PeterB9363957 · Camped on Feb 16, 2023 at Campsite #21
We (two people) were there for a birding trip covering most of Texas and some parts of New Mexico. Although the weather was relatively cold (32oF at night; low 50oF during the day) our stay at Cottonwood was very good. The irrigation that was going on at the campground brought in many different birds (owls, woodpeckers, doves, warblers, catbirds, etc) and made up for the relatively low bird activity (due to the cold) in the desert parts and Chicos mountains. I personally was impressed with Helana Canyon.
No Service
@LauraB4922005 · Camped on Feb 10, 2023 at Campsite #21
The staff was very nice here, otherwise there is nothing noteworthy about this campground. You have to drive to everything as there are no hiking trails in the immediate vicinity.
No Service
@MattF1509261 · Camped on Feb 4, 2023 at Campsite #21
We only used the space for half a day. Clean, nice campground. In February the black flies were unmerciful. Saw two great horned owls in the cottonwoods.
Some Coverage
@SherryB7007703 · Camped on Jan 3, 2023 at Campsite #21
Sites are pretty close together with no obvious places to put a tent (maybe in the drainage ditch that runs between the parking spots)?? Our site was across from a spigot that was spewing out water continuously. Regardless, this is a good location for bird watching, star gazing, and visiting Santa Elena. And the pit toilets were remarkably clean and well maintained. Walk into the exit of Santa Elena canyon, picnic at the Santa Elena take-out, and if you want to see other birds, visit the Sam Nail Ranch. I wouldn't miss the walk down to the Chisos Mountain Window (sunset!) or the Lost Mine Trail (scenic overlooks into Mx; bring a picnic!) Enjoy this beautiful rugged park!
No Service
@JamesT8733204 · Camped on Oct 16, 2022 at Campsite #21
Campground is a little out of the way, but is nice and has some welcome shade trees. Definitely visit the Santa Elena Canyon Trail nearby. It was worth the waist- deep wade across Terlingua creek. Its an amazing and unexpected place!
No Service
@TimothyNCA123C · Camped on Jan 26, 2022 at Campsite #21
Peaceful place, wonderful sites. Great campground hosts.
@DeniseW6070805 · Camped on Jan 22, 2022 at Campsite #21
So quiet and peaceful I could hear the wind whispering in the trees. The perfect place to unplug and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth.
No Service
@LeighD779 · Camped on Jan 3, 2022 at Campsite #21
Great base-camp for Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and Santa Elena Canyon! Kayaking and hiking the canyon is a must. Most beautiful place we’ve ever paddled in our years of kayaking.
No Service
@LeighDC01BD314 · Camped on Jan 3, 2022 at Campsite #21
Great base-camp for Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and Santa Elena Canyon! Kayaking and hiking the canyon is a must. Most beautiful place weve ever paddled in our years of kayaking.
No Service
@JulieM615 · Camped on Nov 15, 2021 at Campsite #21
The rangers at Cottonwood Canyon Campground were incredibly helpful in getting me to my site, and sharing some very interesting information about the local wildlife (including two great horned owls that were regulars at the grounds)! The sites were clean, as were the bathrooms, and the other campers were very friendly and respectful. I helped one young gentlemen open a can of beans with a manual can opener. Others let me use their campsites to get good photos of the owls and other birds. This site was a haven for numerous bird species, including the owls, vermillion flycatchers, three different types of woodpeckers, doves, etc. The proximity to Tuff Canyon and Santa Elena Canyon make this an excellent spot to spend your time. Also, the view of the night sky was unbeatable. Highly recommend!
Major Issues
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