What to Know About Camping in Big Bend National Park

Find the perfect spot for your next overnight trip.

Big Bend National Park has it all — vast amounts of open space, rivers, canyons, pictographs, and hot springs. Located in southwest Texas, the park offers access to some of the most beautiful terrain in the state, and while it can be unbearably hot in the summer, it's often wonderfully warm in the winter. Big Bend National Park is where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Chisos Mountains, and it's where you'll find the Santa Elena Canyon, a limestone cliff canyon artfully carved by the Rio Grande.

Thanks to the park's varied terrain, you can choose between desert, mountain, and river hikes, or hop in your car and explore the park on four wheels. Those looking to cool off from the summer heat can book a multi-day trip down the Rio Grande or find a shady spot and try their hand at bird watching (Northern Cardinal, Green Heron, and Green Kingfisher birds all frequent the park).

When night falls, you'll want to have an already reserved campsite so all you have to do is settle in and look up — Big Bend National Park is said to have the least light pollution of any national park in the lower 48, making it a go-to destination for stargazers. Here's everything you need to know to secure that perfect Big Bend National Park camping spot.

Related:More national park trip ideas

Big Bend National Park Campgrounds

There are four campgrounds inside Big Bend National Park — three park-operated camping areas with various services and one RV park run by an outside company. The three park-run campgrounds are Chisos Basin Campground, Rio Grande Village Campground, and Cottonwood Campground. All Big Bend camping sites require advance reservations booked (up to 6 months in advance) through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Chisos Basin Campground sits in a scenic mountain basin with views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby, including Window Trail, a popular place to watch the sunset. The year-round campground has 60 sites with access to flush toilets, running water, and a dump station. There are no hook-ups, and trailers over 20 feet and RVs over 24 feet are not recommended.

The year-round Rio Grande Village Campground is nestled in a grove of trees near the Rio Grande. This is the place to go if you want access to more amenities — a store, laundromat, and visitor center are nearby. The campground has 100 sites with access to flush toilets, running water, showers, and some sites with overhead shelters. A dump station is nearby.

The small Cottonwood Campground is more remote than the other campgrounds and has fewer services, but tends to be quieter, with plenty of shade. Though capacity is limited in the summer due to extreme heat, this campground is open year-round and has 24 camp spots — all without hook-ups or generators.

Big Bend National Park RV Camping

While certain park-operated campgrounds allow RVs, you'll want to head to the Rio Grande Village RV Campground (operated by Forever Resorts) for an experience tailored to RV campers.

All 25 sites at Rio Grande Village have full hook-ups — water, electrical, and sewer — and are built for RVs. (Keep in mind a few sites cannot accommodate rigs 40 feet or longer.) The campground sits adjacent to the Rio Grande Village Store and allows pets. For reservations, you must call 432-477-2293.

Backcountry Camping in Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park has plenty of vast open space, making it perfect for those willing to get off the beaten path and try their hand at primitive backcountry camping. Inside the park, you'll find roadside campsites (great for car camping) as well as rugged spots for backpackers or those on a river or horseback riding trip.

Before you head into the park's open space, make sure you've secured the proper backcountry permit. Permits for designated backcountry sites (like the Chisos Backpacking Campsites and most roadside campsites) are available online at recreation.gov, while permits for backcountry camping and roadside sites along Maverick and River Roads must be secured in-person at either the Panther Junction Visitor Center or Chisos Basin Visitor Center.

Big Bend National Park Camping Reservations

Reservations are required for all four campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. Reservations can be made up to 6 months (180 days) in advance and can be made for up to 14 consecutive nights.

Chisos Basin Campground and the Rio Grande Village RV Park operate at full capacity year-round, while Rio Grande Village Campground and Cottonwood Campground limit capacity during the heat of summer (May 1 to October 31).

Big Bend National Park Camping Regulations

All campsites share the same basic regulations. Visitors are allowed to stay in the park for up to 14 consecutive nights, but are limited to a total of 28 days in a calendar year. You can bring your pet to the campground, but they must stay on leash at all times and never be left unattended. Pets are not allowed on trails in the national park, so take this into consideration when you make your plans.

Generators are permitted at Chisos and Rio Grande, but not at Cottonwood, which is a dry campsite. If you do plan to use a generator, you must abide by the designated hours and areas in which you are allowed to use it. All food must be securely stored away in your vehicle or in an animal-proof locker. Wood and ground fires are forbidden in all sites.

Tips for Camping in Big Bend National Park

All the campgrounds inside the park tend to fill up quickly, so making an advance reservation is key, especially during the busy season: January 1 through April 15. In addition, winter holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Texas spring break — tend to be popular times to visit the park.

When exploring the park, be prepared for the road conditions you might find and consider whether or not your vehicle is suited for them. There are many areas you can get to by paved road, but other routes require four-wheel drive. While hiking, avoid the hottest parts of the day and bring plenty of water and food to keep your energy up.

If you're looking for a quieter camping experience within the park, head to Cottonwood Campground or look into one of the more primitive backcountry options. There are also campgrounds outside (but nearby) Big Bend National Park.

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