After staying in the Chisos Basin and then the Rio Grande Village campgrounds, we headed west to a part of the park that we’ve never been to- Castolon Historic district and Santa Elena Canyon. The campsite there is called Cottonwood which is 24 spots nestled under said trees. Here is an overview from the NPS site on the different RV options: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/rv-camping.htm.
The drive there takes you along the 30 mile long Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. There are numerous stops or turn-out/lookouts. One of the best for sunsets is Sotol Vista (Sotol is regional spirit distilled in northern Mexico). Also Tuff’s canyon is good with two observation decks. We visited the local ranger station, camp store and several historic structures and displays, bought some ice since our refrigerator had decided it needed a reboot.
About 8 miles past the Cottonwood campground the road ends and you are at Santa Elena Canyon the towers 1,500′ above the Rio Grande. There is a lookout for the canyon right before you arrive, but the hike into the canyon is excellent.
The local “camp host” or ranger stopped by our campsite a couple of times. The first because Douglas hung a clothes line onto a tree limb- a no-no. And the second time to chit-chat.
The next day we woke up to an amazing sunset and leftovers for breakfast!
Our next stop is an old historic Calvary post now turned into a fancy golf resort and spa, Lajitas Golf Resort as we make our way to Marfa, Texas.
