Cottonwood Campground — Hotel in Manuel Benavides

We spent a few nights at Cottonwood Campground in May 2022. Generally a very positive experience. Pros: It’s remote but well-tended. Compost restrooms were clean and tended daily, as were recycling bins. Most of the campground is nice and grassy, and most of the campsites are well-spaced and receive shade for part of the day. We stayed at site 13, which has a tree shading part of the pad. Abundant bird life in the area. We saw great horned owls, summer tanagers, scarlet tanagers, mockingbird, and several others we weren’t able to identify. We really enjoyed watching the bats every evening do their aerial acrobatics in search of bugs. There is one potable water hydrant at the shed near the entrance of the campground. It seems to be a gravity-flow, so not really suitable for filling our trailer water tank. There are several non-potable hydrants scattered throughout the camp, which can be used for cleaning, etc. The campground is very quiet and dark at night, which makes for great stargazing. Park maintenance staff, rangers, and firefighters made stops in camp every day. Signs note that bear or javelina could make an appearance, so lock boxes are provided at each site to secure your food items. No generators are allowed, so you can count on quiet. Cons: The camp is very remote, so no WiFi or cell signal (this could also count as a ‘Pro’). Temps were over 100 during the days we were there, so you need to be prepared for that. Even so, nights were pretty comfortable for sleeping. Of course, no showers or sewer dump.

In general, we had no issues and enjoyed the camp. Be prepared to bring what water and food you expect you’ll need. There is a small store up the hill at Castolon that sells limited groceries, ice, and...

Coming to cottonwood campground for over 25 years. We got married here. This is our preferred campground. (The Chisos Basin campground is cooler in warm weather). Cottonwood is more accessible to Terlingua via old maverick road (rough road) or Ross Maxwell scenic Drive for those coming for bike rides or chili cook offs. Right on the River. You can hear it flow at night if the Rio Grande water level isn’t too low. Vermilion Flycatchers are the big draw for bird watchers. Owls as well. Irrigation flooding is an issue for people who put tents up in grassy areas. Chiggers are very bad. I would put a tent up on the built up pad to avoid chiggers and flooding irrigation. Camp hosts over the years have bern informative and friendly. Close to Santa Elena Canyon. Cut this last trip short because of very high winds and gnats. Never had gnats like this before. Sunsets were simply magnificent and after nightfall the sky is the most amazing thing Big Bend offers. Never seen so many stars from horizon to horizon. I highly recommend but be prepared for winds, bugs, hi temps, but the stars, the dessert, and the Chisos mountains will keep you...

Tent camped first week of April 2021 here. Was surprised how HOT is was already. Didn't cool down until 2-ish in the morning. Not every campsite is shaded so choose wisely. No hookups, no electricity, and no lights so it is totally dark at night which is awesome for stargazing. Incredibly quiet too. Pit toilets were as clean as they can be. No sinks, showers, etc. for washing up. Potable water available at one spigot near entrance. Campground was really clean and rangers were helpful. But don't hang your hammock from the trees or you will be reprimanded. :-) I would suggest reserving one of the other park campgrounds if possible after March 15 and before October 1. It is just too darn hot and the sun is brutal here. NOTE: there is a small store and public restrooms with AC & plumbing at the Castolon Visitor Center just around the corner. It was an oasis during our stay! They have ice, sodas, water, ice cream and other grocery items available. Open...