The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Big Bend National Park

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read the full disclosure policy here

Big Bend National Park is a hidden gem along the United States / Mexico border. This massive park is a diverse mix of desert, mountains, and rivers. It is a geological wonder that charts the movements of tectonic plates like no other national park. The park is home to the tail ends of both the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains and been further shaped by volcanos and rivers. The park is covered with the diverse plant life of the Chihuahuan Desert, Chisos Mountain range, Rio Grande River valley. Get a jump on exploring the park by camping in Big Bend National Park.

Here is everything you need to know about front-country camping in Big Bend National Park.

Planning a Trip to Texas? Download your free Texas National Park Map HERE.

Does Big Bend Trip Planning Leave You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Jump right into booking your Big Bend National Park trip with our expertly designed, pre-made, downloadable National Park itineraries.

Get Yours Today!

Big Bend National Park Camping

Things to Know about Big Bend Camping

• All campgrounds are open year-round. Reservations are available from November 15 – April 15. All sites are first-come-first-serve for the rest of the year.
• Only Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin Campgrounds have ADA specific sites. The Rio Grande RV Village has paved sites for RV users. All campgrounds have ADA accessible toilets and other campsites are level and may be usable by people in wheelchairs.
• Reservations are released 6-months rolling basis. Make your reservation as early as possible.  Space can fill up fast, especially around spring break.
• RV’s are limited to the Rio Grande Campground and RV Park. RV’s under 24 feet and trailers under 19 ft are allowed in Chisos Basin Campground.
• Quiet Hours are from 8 pm to 8 am.  Generator use is limited to specific sites or the RV Park.
• Most campsites can have up to 8 people.  You are allowed a maximum of one-wheeled camping vehicle and one tent or four tents and two passenger vehicles per site. Please note some of the smaller sites are unable to accommodate eight people.
• All wood and ground fires are PROHIBITED including pressed wood logs or wood chips. Charcoal grills and gas grills are permissible, provided they are attended at all times. Do not place charcoal grills on tables.
• Store all food items in your car or bear box.  Please do NOT leave any food, utensils out, or any scented items.  This includes toothpaste, toothbrush, chapstick.  Pretty much put everything but what you are going to sleep in your car.  Big Bend National Park is in bear country. Properly secure all items so no wildlife can get it.
• Be prepared for gusty winds. Ensure all items are properly secured. These winds have been known to blow tents around.
• Pay attention to the weather. Low areas near the Rio Grande River are subject to flooding.

Getting to Big Bend National Park

The closest airport to Big Bend is the Midland/Odessa Airport (MAF). Midland/Odessa Airport is located about 3 hours from the park’s Persimmon Gap entrance. The closest mid-sized commercial airport is El Paso International (ELP). El Paso is about 4.5 hours from Big Bend.

While there is no public transportation to Big Bend National Park, Amtrak’s Sunset Unlimited and Greyhound buses stop in Alpine, Texas. You can rent a car in Alpine and make the hour drive to the park.

Estimated Drive time to Big Bend National Park

• Alpine, Texas – 1 hour
• Midland, Texas – 3 hours
• El Paso, Texas – 4.5 hours
• San Antonio, Texas – 6 hours
• Dallas, Texas – 8 hours
• Houston, Texas – 9 hours

Where to camp in Big Bend National Park?

Big Bend Campground Map

Campgrounds in Big Bend National Park

• Chisos Basin Campground
• Cottonwood Campground
• Rio Grande Village Campground
• Rio Grande Village RV Park

Campgrounds near Big Bend National Park

• Big Bend Resort and Adventures 
• Big Bend State Park
• BJ’s RV Park 
• Longhorn Ranch Motel 
• Marathon Motel and Trailer Court 
• Maverick Ranch RV Park 
• Rancho Topanga Campgrounds 
• Stillwell’s RV Park/Store
• Study Butte RV Park

Camping at Big Bend National Park

** All Campground prices are valid as of 19 November 2019.

Big Bend Campgrounds

Chisos Basin Campground

Chisos Basin Campground is the prime campground for those looking to explore the Chisos mountains. The campground is located on a small plateau in the mountains with an epic view of the desert. The campground is perfectly located for hikers looking to hike the Window Trail, Lost Mine or Emory Peak. The sites are fairly private and most of the sites have a covered shelter for shade.

The road to the campground is narrow and windy. Vehicles are restricted to 24 ft in length and 19 ft trailers.

Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground is the smallest campground in the park. This campground is a tent-only campground near the Rio Grande River and Castolon Historic District. The campground is set in a stand of cottonwood trees and provides shade.

Rio Grande Village Campground

Rio Grande Village Campground is located near the Rio Grande River and the Mexican town of Boquillas. This large campground is has a fair amount of shade and some sites offer great privacy.

This campground tends to be really hot during the summer.

Rio Grande Village RV Campground

The Rio Grande Village RV Campground is a concessionaire run RV park with full hookups. The RV Campground is basically a parking lot for RV’s. The lot is surrounded by cottonwood trees but the trees don’t provide any shade in the campground.

This campground tends to be really hot during the summer.

Get help planning your trip to Big Bend National Park

• National Parks of Texas
• All about Big Bend National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Big Bend National Park

Get your National Park Obsessed gear!