Camping in Big Bend National Park is not to be missed! From the dark skies to the amazing bird watching that happens right in the campground. Big Bend National Park Camping includes three designated campgrounds and backcountry roadside campsites.
Big Bend NP is located in Southern Texas and can get quite HOT!!! Please make sure you are prepared for the heat and have plenty of water. We visited the park in May and it was 106 degrees near the Rio Grande River. There are Mexican Black Bears found in the park along with Javalenas.
All food and anything that smells need to be kept in a bear-proof container. Javelinas have been known to chew through the plastic to get to food so make sure it is well contained. We also heard that skunks have been known to pull open tents so make sure your zippers are fully shut and moved to the top of the tent.
Big Bend National Park Camping
Chisos Basin Campground
Location: Located in the Chisos Basin near the Chisos Mountain Lodge
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 60
Cost per night: $14
$7 with lifetime interagency pass
Reservations?: 26 sites are reservable from November 15 - May 31st. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on Reservation.Gov
Elevation: 5,401 Feet
Campground amenities: Flush toilets, dump station,
RVs allowed?: Trailers over 20 feet and RV' over 24 feet are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road to reach the campground.
Group Camping: 7 group campsites are available for advance reservation only. Total overnight occupancy for the Chisos Basin group campground is 118 persons. All group sites have a minimum occupancy of 9 persons.
Generator Hours: 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm
Cottonwood Campground
Location: Located between the Castolon Historic District and scenic Santa Elena Canyon.
Open: Year Round
Number of sites: 24
Cost per night: $14
$7 with lifetime interagency pass
Reservations?: There are no reservable campsites at Cottonwood Campground. All sites are first to come, first served.
Elevation: 2.169
Campground amenities: Pit toilets, running water, grills, picnic tables.
Group Camping: One group camp is available with an advance reservation. Maximum occupancy is 25 persons. Minimum occupancy is 9 persons. Group campground is walk-in tent camping only.
Generator Hours: No generators allowed
I have to admit that we do not have any photos of the Cottonwood Campground sites because we were so distracted by the amazing birdwatching in the campground. We saw so many amazing birds all over this campground.
A small picnic area is available across from campsite #23.
Please be aware there are Cottonwood Campgrounds at multiple National Park sites! Make sure you are reading the information on the right park.
Rio Grande Village Campground
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 100
Cost per night: $14
$7 with lifetime interagency pass
Reservations?: 43 sites are reservable from November 15 to April 15th. You can make a reservation by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting Recreations.Gov
Elevation: 1,850 Feet
Campground amenities: Flush toilets, running water, picnic tables, grills, and some overhead shelters.
Group Camping: 4 group campsites are available by advance reservation only. Group campground is walk-in tent camping only. All sites have a minimum occupancy of 9 persons.
Generator Hours: 8 am to 8 pm
Rio Grande Village RV Campground
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 25
Cost per night: $36 and up
Reservations?: 20 sites are available by reservation. 5 sites are held for first come first serve campers.
Register at the Rio Grande Village or by calling 877-386-4383 or 432-477-2293
Elevation: 1.850
Campground amenities: full hook-ups (water, sewer, and 3-inch sewer connection), with an additional $3 per person charge
Some sites may not fit a 40-foot RV due to parking in the campground.
Rio Grande Village RV Campground is run by Forever Resorts.
Campground Regulations
For your safety and enjoyment, and the protection of park resources, please abide by park campground regulations.
Campsite limit is eight people per site
There is a limit of one RV per site with a tow vehicle and one tent, or four tents plus two passenger vehicles; or four motorcycles.
"First-come, first-served" campsites may not be held or paid for prior to an occupant's arrival.
All wood and ground fires are prohibited including pressed wood logs or wood chips.
All food items should be stored inside your vehicle or in an animal-proof food storage container.
Dispose of all trash in animal-proof dumpsters.
Quiet hours from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Rattlesnakes may be prevalent anywhere in the park on warm to moderate evenings.
Primitive Roadside Campsites/Backcountry
Permits for primitive roadside campsites can be issued at Panther Junction and Chisos Basin Visitor Centers during operating hours.
Sites are cleared gravel with a place to park your car and set up your tent. There are NO Amenities at any backcountry campsite aside from bear boxes for your food.
Plan to bring everything you will need including water, share, chairs, and a shovel to bury human waste.
All roadside sites are along unpaved roads. Some sites require high clearance or 4-wheel drive to reach them.
Campfires are strictly prohibited!! All wood fires or ground fires are prohibited.
You can use a cook stove with extreme caution.
Generators are not allowed in backcountry sites.
Pets must be kept on a leash within the boundaries of the campsite.
Visit the backcountry use page for more information
We hope you enjoyed this Big Bend National Park Camping Guide. Make sure to check out all of our articles on Big Bend National Park for more help in planning an epic trip to this great park.
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