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.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Chisos Mountain Lodge (In the park) or Additional Lodging Nearby
📍Complete List of Tours for Big Bend National Park
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Big Bend National Park Camping
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.
Chisos Basin Campground
Location: Located in the Chisos Basin near the Chisos Mountain Lodge
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 60
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
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
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
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
Where to stay if Chisos Mountain Lodge is Full?
There is limited lodging in the Big Bend Area. I would check out the lhotel below if Chisos Mountain Lodge is already full.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A jaw-dropping 27,000-acre luxury resort tucked between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, just 30 minutes from the west entrance to the park!
Choose from Old West-themed rooms, lakeside cottages, or private villas, all with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffee makers. Activities include an 18-hole championship golf course, world class 8-station zip line spanning canyon views, full-service Agave Spa, equestrian center, mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, shooting range, and birdwatching.
Dining options include the Candelilla Cafe, Thirsty Goat Saloon with live music, Boardwalk Bakery and Pizzeria, and a general store deli. Two outdoor pools, fitness center, business center, free parking, and pet friendly!
Click on this link or the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Big Bend NP
Big Bend National Park Tours & Activities
Float the Canyons of the Rio Grande
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (228+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 7.5 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
The signature Big Bend water experience, this full-day guided float takes you down 6 miles of the Rio Grande by canoe or kayak through dramatic canyon scenery along the US-Mexico border. Guides provide expert commentary on the park's geology, plants, and history, and a soak at Langford Hot Springs is a highlight reviewers rave about consistently. Suitable for all ages and experience levels. Booked 10 or more times last month and likely to sell out on peak dates.
Hot Springs Canyon Full Day
⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars (15+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
A perfect blend of paddling and hiking, this full-day tour with Far Flung Adventures takes guests through Hot Springs Canyon on the Rio Grande, with a visit to the famous 105-degree Langford Hot Springs on the riverbank. Professional guides handle all the logistics, a riverside lunch is included, and all river running and safety gear is provided. A newer listing with a perfect rating and free cancellation.
Big Bend & Guadalupe National Parks GPS Audio Driving Tour Bundle
⭐️ Rating: Not yet rated | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 to 8 hours (self-paced) | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
Why visit one park when you can cover two West Texas icons for the price of a tank of gas? This GPS-guided bundle covers both Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains, from the Chisos Basin to McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Peak, Devil's Hall, El Capitan, and the Salt Basin Dunes. Priced per vehicle for up to 4 passengers, it's an exceptional value for road trippers spending multiple days in the region. Free cancellation included.
Make sure to click here for a complete list of tours available at Big Bend National Park!
Big Bend National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$30.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
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.
Check out all of the Texas National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Oklahoma, National Parks in New Mexico, Louisiana National Parks, and Arkansas National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply