Big Bend Camping
category : Camping
Most campsites in Big Bend National Park are on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. The National Park Service operates 3 campgrounds at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and Castolon. The cost is $10.00 per night for a site.
A limited number of campsites in Rio Grande Village and the Chisos Basin campgrounds will be reservable from November 15 to April 15 each year. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance by visiting www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Big Bend National Park cannot make reservations.
Camping is also available at primitive backcountry campsites in the Chisos Mountains and along backcountry roads. High clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles are necessary to reach most road sites. Big Bend's unpaved roads are generally unsuitable for RVs and trailers (check current conditions with a ranger). Overnight camping in any of the primitive road sites requires a backcountry use permit, obtained in person at park visitor centers up to 24 hours in advance.
Camping areas are often full during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, as well as during spring break in March or April. The only public showers and laundry facilities in the park are located at the Rio Grande Village store. The Village store is open daily and offers groceries, gas, a laundromat, and coin operated showers. There is no food service at Rio Grande Village.
The only hookups available in Big Bend National Park are at Rio Grande Village in the 25-site full-hookup campground operated by National Park Concessions, Inc. The hookups provide water, sewer, and electricity. You must have a three-inch sewer connection to stay at the RV area. Register at the store. No advance reservations are taken. The cost is $18.00 per night for a site.
Near the RV park is the 100-site Rio Grande Village Campground operated by the National Park Service. Although there are no hookups, water and flush toilets are available. Set in a large grove of cottonwoods, the campground is adjacent to the Rio Grande. Many of the sites are pull-throughs. Generator use is limited to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. A no-generator use area is also designated. Each site has a picnic table and grill (for charcoal only--wood fires are not permitted). Some sites have ramadas and all are located within walking distance of restrooms and water spigots. An RV dump station is available. Campsite #14 and the adjacent restroom are fully accessible for wheelchair users. During busy periods, the accessible campsite will be held until 6 p.m. and will then be released
Reservations for 43 sites in the Rio Grande Village Campground may be made for dates between November 15 to April 15. Contact www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
The 65-site Chisos Basin Campground is rugged and hilly. The sites are small and most are not suited to recreational vehicles or trailers. The road to the Basin is steep and curvy, especially at Panther Pass—the road's highest point. The road into the campground is a 15 percent grade. Trailers longer than 20 feet and RVs longer than 24 feet are not recommended.
Each site has a picnic table and grill (for charcoal only--wood fires are not permitted). Some sites have ramadas and all sites are located within walking distance of restrooms and water spigots. An RV dump station is available. Campsite #36 and the adjacent restroom are fully accessible for wheelchair users. During busy periods, the accessible campsite will be held until 6 p.m. and will then be released for general use. Generators may be used between 8am to 8pm. There is also a "no-generator" section for tenters.
The Chisos Basin Visitor Center is open daily and offers information, exhibits, book sales, and an interactive touch-screen video system. Backcountry use permits are available. The Chisos Basin store is open daily and offers groceries and supplies. A U.S. Postal Service station is located in the store.
Reservations can be made for 26 sites in the Chisos Basin campground for dates between November 15 to April 15. Contact www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Cottonwood Campground, near Castolon Historic District, is located near the Rio Grande. The campground has pit toilets and potable water, but no hookups or dump station. The use of generators is not allowed in Cottonwood Campground. Each site has a picnic table and grill (for charcoal only--wood fires are not permitted). The historic La Harmonia Store in the Castolon Historic District is open daily and offers groceries and supplies.
Admission: $10.00 - Full Hookups, $18.00
Hours: Year Round
Address: Big Bend Country - Extreme SW Texas
Phone: 432-477-2251
Our Website:www.nps.gov/bibe/camping.htm
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