Camping Near Big Bend National Park
Texas | Established 1944
About Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park encompasses 801,163 acres of Chihuahuan Desert in Far West Texas. Three developed campgrounds serve the park. Chisos Basin Campground (60 sites, $16/night) sits at 5,400 feet with mountain views and the coolest temperatures. Rio Grande Village Campground (100 sites, $16/night) includes a concession-operated RV park with 25 full-hookup sites ($46/night). Cottonwood Campground (24 sites, $16/night) operates November through April near Santa Elena Canyon.
No campground except the Rio Grande Village RV Park has hookups. The park is extremely remote; the nearest full grocery store is over 80 miles away in Alpine. RVs over 24 feet are not recommended at Chisos Basin due to the steep, winding access road. Big Bend holds a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park designation with the darkest measured skies in the lower 48 states. Langford Hot Springs on the Rio Grande offers free soaking in 105-degree mineral water.
Camping Tips for Big Bend
- Reserve campgrounds through Recreation.gov four to six months ahead for peak season (October through April). Chisos Basin fills fastest due to its cool mountain elevation and trail access.
- Rio Grande Village RV Park is the only hookup option in the park (25 full-hookup sites, $46/night, 50-amp). All NPS campgrounds ($16/night) have no electric, water, or sewer connections.
- RVs over 24 feet are not recommended at Chisos Basin. The access road climbs 3,000 feet with tight switchbacks. For large rigs, use Rio Grande Village or Cottonwood.
- The park is extremely remote. Fill your gas tank before entering. The nearest grocery store is in Study Butte (30 miles) with limited selection; Alpine (80+ miles) has full services.
- Soak in Langford Hot Springs (105 degrees) along the Rio Grande near Rio Grande Village. The 0.5-mile trail to the springs is free. No soaps or chemicals are allowed in the water.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Big Bend National Park
1.Stillwell Ranch Store & RV Park
Stillwell Store and RV Park is located just north of Big Bend National Park, approximately 8 miles from the Persimmon Gap entrance near Alpine, Texas. This practical,...
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2.Maverick Ranch RV Park
Maverick Ranch RV Park is a desert oasis located at Lajitas Golf Resort on Highway FM 170 between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park on the banks of the Rio...
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3.Tumble In RV Park
Tumble In RV Park is a small, locally-owned facility located in Marfa, Texas, just 1/4 mile east of the city limits on Highway 90. The park offers 22 RV sites with 20/30/50 amp...
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4.RoadRunner Travelers RV Park
RoadRunner Travelers RV Park is a well-appointed RV park located just 3 miles from Big Bend National Park and 15 miles from Big Bend State Park in the Terlingua area of West...
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5.Marfa Yacht Club Airstream RV Park
Marfa Yacht Club is a 10-acre RV park and glamping destination located at the east edge of Marfa, Texas, offering spectacular views of starry skies, the Chinati and Davis...
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6.Paisano Village RV Park & Inn
Paisano Village RV Park & Inn is Terlingua's newest RV park and inn destination, offering a laid-back and quiet experience for visitors. Located in Terlingua, Texas, near the Big...
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7.Around The Bend RV Park Terlingua
Around The Bend RV Park in Terlingua offers a prime basecamp for exploring the Big Bend region with stunning views of Big Bend National Park. The park features spacious full...
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8.Rancho de los Arboles Muertos
Rancho de los Arboles Muertos is a secluded desert retreat located in far West Texas, just minutes from Big Bend National Park near Terlingua. This off-grid, eco-friendly property...
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9.Tierra del Sol Base Camp
Tierra del Sol Base Camp is a camping destination located in Alpine, Texas, offering elevated campsites with stunning views of distant mountains. The property provides an ideal...
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10.Chisos Basin Campground
Chisos Basin Campground is located in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The campground is situated in a scenic basin surrounded by mountains and offers stunning views of the Chisos...
Show moreShowing 1–10 of 136 campgrounds within 75 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Big Bend National Park?
Big Bend has three NPS campgrounds: Chisos Basin (60 sites, $16/night, 5,400 feet), Rio Grande Village (100 sites, $16/night, year-round), and Cottonwood (24 sites, $16/night, November through April). A concession-operated RV park at Rio Grande Village has 25 full-hookup sites at $46/night.
Chisos Basin is the most popular campground, sitting in a mountain bowl with cooler temperatures and direct trailhead access. Rio Grande Village on the park's east side has the most sites and amenities including showers and a camp store. Cottonwood near Santa Elena Canyon is the quietest option but closes May through October due to extreme heat. All NPS sites require reservations through Recreation.gov.
Can I bring my RV to Big Bend?
RVs up to 24 feet can access all three NPS campgrounds. Chisos Basin's steep, winding road is not recommended for RVs over 24 feet. Rio Grande Village RV Park accommodates rigs up to 40 feet with full hookups (water, electric, sewer) at $46/night.
The Chisos Basin road gains over 3,000 feet in elevation with tight switchbacks and no guardrails in sections. Rio Grande Village is the best option for large RVs with level pull-through sites and 30/50-amp electric. Cottonwood accommodates RVs up to 30 feet on level sites. Dump stations are available at Rio Grande Village. No propane refills are available in the park; fill up in Study Butte or Terlingua.
How remote is Big Bend and what supplies should I bring?
Big Bend is among the most remote national parks in the lower 48 states. The nearest full grocery store is in Alpine, over 80 miles from the park. Study Butte (30 miles) has a small store and gas. Bring all food, water, medications, and supplies for your entire stay.
There is no cell phone coverage in most of the park. Download offline maps before arrival. A small camp store at Rio Grande Village and the Chisos Basin store carry basic supplies at premium prices. Gas is not available inside the park. Fill your tank in Study Butte, Terlingua, or Marathon before entering. The nearest hospital is in Alpine. Carry a first aid kit and extra water (at least one gallon per person per day).
What is the best time to visit Big Bend?
October through April offers ideal temperatures. March and April bring wildflower blooms and moderate crowds. October and November have pleasant weather with thinner crowds. Summer (May through September) brings daily highs above 100 degrees in the lowlands.
Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet stays 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the desert floor, making it tolerable even in late spring. Winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations. Spring break (mid-March) is the busiest period. The park sees about half its annual visitation between February and April. Fall is the best-kept secret with excellent weather and fewer visitors. Cottonwood Campground closes entirely from May through October.
Can I bring my dog to Big Bend campgrounds?
Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are allowed in all campgrounds, on paved roads, and in parking areas. Dogs are prohibited on all hiking trails, in the backcountry, in the Rio Grande, and at Langford Hot Springs. No kennel services exist in the park.
The strict pet policy protects desert wildlife and dogs from dangerous encounters with cacti, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions. For dog-friendly hiking near the park, Big Bend Ranch State Park (west of the park) allows leashed dogs on trails. Pet boarding is available in Alpine and Marathon. Service animals are exempt from trail restrictions but must be leashed. Never leave pets unattended in vehicles due to extreme heat.
What is the Boquillas Crossing into Mexico?
The Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry operates Wednesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. A valid passport is required (no Enhanced Driver's Licenses). A rowboat ferry across the Rio Grande costs $5 round trip. The small village of Boquillas del Carmen has restaurants and a cantina.
The crossing is located near Rio Grande Village. After clearing US immigration, a boatman rows visitors across the Rio Grande. From the Mexican bank, you can walk or hire a burro or truck ride to the village (about 0.7 miles). Bring small US bills for purchases. No food or agricultural products can be brought back through US customs. Firearms are illegal to take into Mexico. The crossing is closed on major US and Mexican holidays.
What makes Big Bend's night sky special?
Big Bend is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park with the darkest measured night skies in the lower 48 states. On clear nights, the Milky Way casts visible shadows. Over 2,000 stars are visible to the naked eye compared to a few dozen in urban areas.
The park's remoteness eliminates light pollution from any direction. Ranger-led stargazing programs run several nights per week during peak season. The best viewing is on moonless nights away from campground lights. Rio Grande Village and the Chisos Basin window area are popular stargazing locations. Bring binoculars for enhanced viewing of star clusters, nebulae, and the Andromeda Galaxy. The Milky Way is best visible from April through October.
What is the entrance fee for Big Bend?
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass. Motorcycles cost $25 and individual entry on foot or bicycle is $15. An annual Big Bend pass costs $55. The America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers all federal recreation sites.
Entrance fees are collected at the Persimmon Gap entrance (north, from US-385), Maverick entrance (west, from FM-170), and at the park boundary checkpoints. The pass covers all areas of the park including Langford Hot Springs and the Boquillas Crossing approach. Eight fee-free days occur annually. Seniors age 62 and older qualify for the $80 lifetime America the Beautiful pass.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $30/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- October – April
- Nearest Town
- Terlingua, TX, Study Butte, TX, Alpine, TX
- Elevation
- 1,800 – 7,832 ft
- Park Size
- 801,163 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~1.0 million