Cottonwood Campground is located in the southwest section of Big Bend National Park between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon.
Cottonwood Campground is the smallest of the three NPS run developed campgrounds in the park and the only one that does not offer any reservable sites. It has 24 campsites and one group campsite. The individual campsites cost $14 per night with a discount for Senior and Access pass holders. They are first come, first serve year round.
Cottonwood is located near the banks of the Rio Grande and does have some shade trees. However, it is still located in the desert at a low elevation (2,169) so it can get very hot in the summer.
There is one group campsite with a minimum occupancy of 9 people and a maximum occupancy of 25 people. It is available by advance reservation only.
The campground is on the western side of Big Bend National Park. It is located about 35 miles from Maverick Junction and the western entrance to the park via Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.