The National Park Service operates three developed frontcountry campgrounds at
Rio Grande Village, the
Chisos Basin, and the
Cottonwood campground, near Castolon. The cost is $14.00 per night for a site. A concession-operated
full hook-up RV campground is also available at Rio Grande Village.
Campground Reservations
A limited number of campsites in Rio Grande Village and the Chisos Basin campgrounds are reservable; these sites are reservable for the time period from November 15 to April 15 each year. Reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance by visiting recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Big Bend National Park cannot make reservations.
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Camping Limits
Visitors cannot camp at developed campground sites for more than 14 consecutive nights, or for more than 28 nights (including both frontcountry and backcountry camping) in a calendar year, or at any one site for more than 14 nights in a calendar year. Occupying developed frontcountry campsites for more than 14 nights during the period from February 1 through April 15 is prohibited.
Backcountry Camping
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.
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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.
Campground | Elevation | Sites | Fee | Facilities | Registration | Comments |
Chisos Basin | 5,401 ft. | 60 | $14* | flush toilets, dump station | self-pay | Surrounded by rocky cliffs. Many hiking trails nearby. |
Cottonwood | 2,169 ft. | 35 | $14* | Pit toilets, generator use not allowed | self-pay | In a shady grove along the river. Grassy. Good birding. |
Rio Grande Village | 1,850 ft. | 100 | $14* | flush toilets, dump station | self-pay | Largest campground. Shady sites. Laundry and showers nearby. |
Rio Grande Village RV | 1,850 ft. | 25 | Starts at $26.00 | Full hookups | at RGV camp store | Concession-operated. Adjacent to store. |
*$7 with applicable passes. |