Canyon explorers will find Cottonwood Campground positioned at the entrance to Canyon De Chelly National Monument, providing direct access to both the North and South Rim scenic drives. The campground operates seasonally from October 31 to April 1, accommodating RVs up to 40 feet on paved roads and pads.
Large cottonwood trees dominate the interior sites, creating substantial shade during warmer months and displaying bright yellow fall foliage in autumn. Sites lack privacy barriers between them, and spacing varies throughout the campground's layout. Catherine S. notes the campground features "well-spaced sites under gorgeous cottonwood trees." Several reviewers mention stray dogs wandering through the area, though they typically remain non-aggressive.
The campground provides flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire grills at each site, though campfires are prohibited within the monument boundaries. A dump station and water fill station serve campers, but water gets turned off during winter months. Some restroom facilities also close seasonally. Payment operates on a cash-only system using envelope drop boxes, with tent sites at $14 per night and RV sites at $20.
Cell coverage varies by carrier, with AT&T providing LTE service while Verizon and T-Mobile users may experience roaming. The Thunderbird Lodge sits across the street, offering a gift shop and cafeteria for supplies and meals. Laura M. emphasizes that visitors should "pre arrange with an authorized tour guide, if you want to go down into the canyon."
The campground serves as the primary overnight option for exploring Canyon De Chelly's rim drives and accessing guided canyon floor tours, making it essential for multi-day monument visits despite its basic amenities.
Description
The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NPRD) manages the Cottonwood Campground and collects fees for camping. There are about 90 individual campsites available and 2 group tent sites. Each site includes a parking space, picnic table and grill. There are 3 restroom facilities that include sinks and flushable toilets, but no showers. No hookups are available, but a dumpstation is located in Loop 1. Limited services are available during winter months. GROUP SITES: Reservations for group campsites are required. Sites are for tent camping only. No reservations are accepted for RVs. RVs: Sites cannot accommodate vehicles more than 40 feet, including vehicles-in-tow. Full hookups are available in the surrounding areas of Gallup, NM; Monument Valley, UT; and Holbrook, AZ.
Fee Info
Camping: $14.00 per night (up to 7 people) FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS
NO RV Hookups Group Camping: $50.00 per night (14-30 people) BY RESERVATION ONLY
Day Use/Water/Dump Station: $5.00
Backcountry Permits: (issued 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily)
NPS Backcountry Permit: $2.00 per person, per tour (with authorized guide; only for Canyon de Chelly National Monument) Navajo Nation Backcountry Permit: $12.00 per person/24-hour period.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Private CampgroundCottonwood Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
1/2 mile South of Canyon de Chelly National Monument Welcome Center
Coordinates
36.14876229 N
109.53966328 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/12/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 19 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/12/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 19 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 36 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 17 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 49 min from Prescott Valley, AZ


























