Big Bend National Park18
Campsite #18 at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
$16
Campsite #18
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 34 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | weak |
2/5
3/1
Campsite #18 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 34-foot driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (23)
3.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 65% |
| 4 star | | 30% |
| 3 star | | 4% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@JeffC9633298 · Camped on Feb 16, 2026 at Campsite #18
Very remote and primitive area. Amazing sunset. Within the BBNP. Very close to trail head for Santa Elena Canyon. Absolutely awesome.
@RobertD9538610 · Camped on Jan 22, 2026 at Campsite #18
Great primitive campground with ample restrooms. 8 miles to the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead, we rode our bicycles there from the campground.
No Service
@WAIKITLE240E9B · Camped on Dec 30, 2024 at Campsite #18
It's small campground with min facilities. Tab water is for washing and drinking water is available from the small house near the entrance. Bathroom is clean with no water. The site is near Santa Elena canyon, so it's more convenient for sunrise, sunset photos.
Major Issues
@GeoffB5977421 · Camped on Dec 24, 2024 at Campsite #18
Loved it!
@Elizabeth93265 · Camped on Nov 8, 2024 at Campsite #18
I loved my stay at Cottonwood Campground. It was so nice to disconnect - and it was nice to be away from electricity but close enough to amenities like the small store. I heard the owls at night and little javalenas snorted around the campground eating mesquite pods. I can't wait to go back!
No Service
@JasminP2399078 · Camped on Mar 8, 2024 at Campsite #18
Beautiful campground right by the Rio Grande. Ive stayed here twice, and loved it both times!
No Service
@CathleenK8139D · Camped on Feb 6, 2024 at Campsite #18
Quiet, secluded campground! Our kind of camping - dry camping with no generators allowed. It was a good launch point to explore the west end of Big Bend Natl Park - Santa Elena Canyon, and numerous other hikes, and Castalon visitor center and area history. If needed, there was limited internet available at Castalon - met our needs.
No Service
@ChristineK9918 · Camped on Apr 16, 2023 at Campsite #18
Campground Volunteer, Bonnie was exceptionally helpful, thorough with explaining do's and don'ts, and the campground was in wonderful condition. Cleanest restrooms and sites were well maintained.
Some Coverage
@JackieC1028353 · Camped on Dec 29, 2022 at Campsite #18
Great park staff. Very clean. These are the best outhouses ever! Great Horned Owls nesting in the tree. We had a great time!
No Service
@FrankM8297302 · Camped on Dec 3, 2022 at Campsite #18
I enjoyed the area and the facilities were nice and clean, but I was in and out too soon to give a thorough review. MY MISTAKE!
No Service
@AliTEEDFA0B393 · Camped on Nov 20, 2022 at Campsite #18
The campground was clean and well maintained. The views are spectacular and it's conveniently located in the park.
No Service
@CedarKB700312D · Camped on Apr 6, 2022 at Campsite #18
Cottonwood was beautiful, clean and quiet. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because of how the road work impacted our stay. We spent a lot of time negotiating long waits to and from the campground which was frustrating and time consuming.
No Service
@VictoriaS57100 · Camped on Feb 28, 2022 at Campsite #18
If you are seeking experiences in nature, birds, insects, mammals this is the place! If you need connection to your devices go elsewhere. Sites are level but not for large rigs. Attentive camp hosts. Immaculate bathrooms.
No Service
@RobinM4289136 · Camped on Feb 12, 2022 at Campsite #18
great place
@TamaraS213BF57 · Camped on Jan 23, 2022 at Campsite #18
My stay at Cottonwood campground was pretty good. Right next to Santa Elena Canyon. Unfortunately the sites were pretty close together, many of the other campers left their trailer lights on all night (hard to enjoy the dark sky with lights around you), and although there was a spigot for potable water, the website was not clear that there is no way to fill your camper with potable water (its only to fill up containers, no hose connection).
No Service
@JamesW973 · Camped on Dec 12, 2021 at Campsite #18
Lovely, quiet, beautiful, lots of space, clean vault toilets.
No Service
@KristinaL751 · Camped on Nov 22, 2021 at Campsite #18
This campground is a bit of a drive from the Chisos Basin and all the main trails but it’s very nice and quiet. Santa Elena canyon is 8 miles away and I highly recommend going there early in the morning. We went late afternoon and had to wait in line about 30 minutes. There’s no service at the campground, some spots while driving had service and I would pull over and use my phone. Overall it was very healthy to forget about social media for a little bit. I totally enjoyed my first camping trip to Big Bend and can’t wait to come back!
No Service
@KristinaL27964 · Camped on Nov 22, 2021 at Campsite #18
This campground is a bit of a drive from the Chisos Basin and all the main trails but its very nice and quiet. Santa Elena canyon is 8 miles away and I highly recommend going there early in the morning. We went late afternoon and had to wait in line about 30 minutes. Theres no service at the campground, some spots while driving had service and I would pull over and use my phone. Overall it was very healthy to forget about social media for a little bit. I totally enjoyed my first camping trip to Big Bend and cant wait to come back!
No Service
@DavidM842 · Camped on Nov 17, 2021 at Campsite #18
Ed was a great camp host to talk with and had tons of information. The restrooms were very clean and even smelled good. Great camping experience.
@LitaF580 · Camped on Nov 10, 2021 at Campsite #18
clean campground & facilities, super nice rangers, and a quiet area! loved seeing one of the owls that lives at the campground and a road runner.
@PriscillaT824 · Camped on Nov 3, 2021 at Campsite #18
Cleanest camp toilets I’ve ever used. The experience was downright borderline pleasant! Polite hosts will chat you up. Sites are pretty close to one another without a very clear demarcation of the boundaries but everyone is very friendly. You can hear road noise from the nearby employee residences but it’s not terrible.
Some Coverage
@PriscillaEBC71 · Camped on Nov 3, 2021 at Campsite #18
Cleanest camp toilets Ive ever used. The experience was downright borderline pleasant! Polite hosts will chat you up. Sites are pretty close to one another without a very clear demarcation of the boundaries but everyone is very friendly. You can hear road noise from the nearby employee residences but its not terrible.
Some Coverage
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