Big Bend in late Feb

[Padlin]

Looking to stay a couple weeks, late Feb into early March, thinking I might like Cottonwood with it's no generators. Can anyone tell me if this campground, or any of the others for that matter normally fills up? I see most of the reservation sites at the other campgrounds are full but there are a lot more sites that are not reservable.

[huachuca]

2gypsies wrote:

pnichols wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
There is also a no-generator area in Rio Grande Village campground which is also very nice with large sites.

Does that mean a hookups area? If not, I've never heard of a drycamping area that did not allow any generator usage at all.

Cottonwood does not allow generators. Rio Grande Village dry campground has a section for no generators.... unless they've changed it.

RGV still has the 'no generator' section and, even where gensets are allowed, the hours are limited.

[2gypsies1]

pnichols wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
There is also a no-generator area in Rio Grande Village campground which is also very nice with large sites.

Does that mean a hookups area? If not, I've never heard of a drycamping area that did not allow any generator usage at all.

Cottonwood does not allow generators. Rio Grande Village dry campground has a section for no generators.... unless they've changed it.

[frizzen]

I think that Chisos Basin has one loop that allows generators and one that doesn't.

[pnichols]

2gypsies wrote:
There is also a no-generator area in Rio Grande Village campground which is also very nice with large sites.

Does that mean a hookups area? If not, I've never heard of a drycamping area that did not allow any generator usage at all.

[huachuca]

If you visit before spring break, mid to late March, you shouldn't have a problem finding a site.

Things may have changed since our last visit (2015), but there was a faucet on the left as you enter the campground next to a small structure (pumphouse??) that provided potable water.

[2gypsies1]

Cottonwood is a lovely campground. If you need the dump station, laundry or showers, plan on a hike in the same area at the time and it won't feel like a wasted trip. There are plenty of trails to choose.

There is also a no-generator area in Rio Grande Village campground which is also very nice with large sites. Then you'd be close to the showers, laundry and dump station.

[Padlin]

Thanks folks. You are correct PawPaw, we only have 30 gallon tanks, for us that's 4 or 5 days if we use the on board shower, 7 or so without.

Good info on the water situation and the need to drive to the dump station at least once a week. Maybe worth looking at a tote of some sort.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

The pay shower facility at the RVG store is run by a concessionaire. It and the laundromat should still be available.

I just mentioned the lack of showers in the NPS campgrounds restrooms because that seems to be the main complaint people have.

The water shortage alert is still in force, with visitors 'limited' to 5 gallons per day. The Chisos Basin is so short of water and dry that smoking is prohibited on trails and discouraged elsewhere as a fire danger.

EDIT - I was mistaken. The OP eggshell trailer has a 30 gallon black tank and a 28 gallon grey tank. A two week stay with careful management of water would be possible without dumping even though there is no dump station at/ near Cottonwood. The closest is the one at Chisos Basin.

The NPS restrooms do have a dish washing sink. One can use those or a tub in the trailer for dish washing and dump the water in the restroom sink to save tank capacity.

It will be a 50 mile drive / over one hour to the RVG pay showers, and likely a wait for one of the three showers to be available.

[BrentB]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:


Be aware there are no showers at any NPS campground in the park and water is in short supply.

I didn't know the water situation had gotten so bad. Do they still let you use the showers at RG Village?

[fulltimedaniel]

I was just in Big Bend and stayed at Cottonwood. It's a beautiful CG but my recollection is that Cottonwood is 100% NO reservations. So checking the reservation site may no do you any good.

In any case it did fill up by late afternoon (this is Jan). But if you arrive there in the morning you are pretty sure of finding a good spot.

I would spend one night just outside the park in Marathon then get up early and drive in to the park.

Cottonwood is great with HUGE sites right next to the river I enjoyed it a lot.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

The winter is the busy time which you have indicated you can tell from your checks of the Recreation.gov website. However the really full time is spring break, and you will be before that.

You should not have an issue getting a campsite at Cottonwood. Check at the entrance station or the Park HQ at Panther Junction when you arrive. They will know in the CG is full or has been full in recent days. Chisos Basin is the CG which fills first most of the time.

Be aware there are no showers at any NPS campground in the park and water is in short supply. I would advise arriving with enough bottled water for drinking and cooking needs for your stay.

While bear have been sighted a couple times near Santa Elena Canyon in recent years, they do not frequent the Castalon/ Cottonwood area. Javalina are the big concern along the river. Keep food, and things like dish soap and deodorant, safe in a bear box or hard sided vehicle.

With your small trailer, might want to consider a couple nights at one of the vehicle accessible back country sites. Do make a recon with your truck before pulling the trailer down one of those dirt roads.

[Phancy]

We were in Cottonwood last mid February with one other camper.

[agesilaus]

Winter is the busy season down there, why don't you log on recreation.gov and check the dates you are interested in.