CASTOLON CAMPGROUND - Reviews (Big Bend National Park, TX)

We really liked this camp. Nice and quiet, only 20ish sites, no generators allowed. The sites were grassy and flat with plenty of shade trees. We didn't mind the pit toilets because they were kept super clean. We visited in March though, so I can imagine in the heat of summer the smell could get pretty bad. There are regular toilets and a store and visitor center about a 5 min drive away. Close to several trails and 7 miles from Santa Elena Canyon. Beautiful sunsets both at the campsite and a 5 min drive out if you want to see it without the trees. If you are going at the busy season, you need to be there at 8 am and check for people leaving. This goes for any campsites in Big Bend. We checked out the other 2 camps during our week stay and decided to stick with Cottonwood. …

Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled

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ERL972 wrote a review Oct 2017

Texas535 contributions195 helpful votes

Could use some imrpovements

If you are in an RV and have your own toilet and shower it is a good location for access to the park. If you are tent camping, there are no showers, pit toilets and no wood fires. Still though you do have access to a great park if all you are needing is a place to place your tent.

Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled

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roadtramp56 wrote a review Oct 2017

Quartzsite, Arizona55 contributions12 helpful votes

Big bend disappointment

I so looked forward to visiting this park...I phoned the park service phone number ahead of time to find out about methods of paying for camping...I was told I could pay by credit card, so I did not stop to get cash... I arrived big bend and the woman at the entrance stated, at my query, the campground has a self-pay station... I drove the hour to my chosen campground...the scenery was gorgeous and the road is very nice...I used just ahead app and learned lots about the area... Eagerly anticipating camping and exploring, I arrived at cottonwood campground and found a lovely spot... immediately after this, I began to experience the big disappointment... First, the only self pay station is a system of envelopes stuffed with cash (bills - no coins) or a check...no where was there ability to pay using credit card...second, when I walked to the self pay area, there were no envelopes....I could not comply with the written orders to put the stub of the pay envelope at my campsite within thirty minutes of arrival.... The next morning a ranger came and restocked said envelopes - and I still had the same problem - no cash and no credit cards can be used at campground... I stayed two nights with the specter of being harassed by the ranger...indeed, I cut my visit short because of this...(i'd anticipated 10-14 days)... Another disappointment is the campground being touted as "right on the river"...in actuality, it is a bit of a walk down the road and a small alleyway and you can see the water - no area conducive to staying at the water for anything other than a quick distant look...and there is a barbed wire fence surrounding the campground - between the sites and the river... The area was beautiful - lots of big trees - and wildlife (owls, javelina, roadrunner, large praying mantis), and it was quiet and people were friendly...the views of the Milky Way were spectacular... All in all, big bend was a big bust...I can't give a high rating, due to the campground issue...I think big bend would be far more suitable to a day trip scenario...…

Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled

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Wade W wrote a review May 2017

Greenwood31 contributions17 helpful votes

Going against the grain!

I'm going to go against the other reviews for this campsite. I guess if you have a self contained camper, it's ok, however, when tent camping, this campground leaves alot to be desired. First, the toilets. They are pit toilets, with no inside lights, and were swarming with nats! At night, when you had to go in there with a headlight on in order to see, your head was covered with nats! Second, because all of the middle campsites are low-lying, the smell from the toilets just hung there all night. Third, there were few trees and the sun is quite brutal there. I've camped at a lot of places across the country, and this might be the worst campground i've stayed in. Stay at Chisos Basin and drive to Santa Elena Canyon, that's my recommendation.

Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Travelled

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Brenna R wrote a review Apr 2017

Minneapolis, Minnesota522 contributions216 helpful votes

Make sure to get a spot with trees, but watch for bees

Overall we really liked this campground! The spots were all extremely spacious, especially when compared to the other two campgrounds in the park (we drive through to check them out). We were lucky that when we got there, there were a couple spots to chose from so we got a spot with some shade but there were a few spots without any. We did have some flies and bees, but not real issues. We also had nightly visits from Javelina and one night forgot to take in the dog food (our fault) and they ate it. Oops. But a very nice campground. The rangers were around all the time to answer questions. No water was available when we were there and one of the bathrooms was a little backed up with a rancid urine smell.

Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Travelled

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