How to Camp in Big Bend National Park: Tent & RV Camping Guide

Our recent Big Bend National Park RV camping trip was unforgettable—expansive desert landscapes, rugged mountain views, and some of the best stargazing we’ve ever seen! With a variety of RV and tent-friendly campgrounds both inside and around the park, it’s a camper’s paradise. But with so many options, making a decision can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ve broken down the pros and cons of all of Big Bend’s campgrounds to make choosing the right one easy!

🏕️ Campgrounds in Big Bend National Park

You have 6 options when it comes to camping in Big Bend: 3 developed campgrounds, 1 full-hookup RV park, backcountry campsites, all within the park, and then campgrounds outside of the park. Click on the name to jump down to an extended section where you can read more, see photos of each campground, and reserve your spot!

1️⃣ Chisos Basin Campground – Our favorite! Cooler mountain temps and easy access to top hikes like Lost Mine and Emory Peak.

2️⃣ Rio Grande Village Campground – Best for staying near the east side, with easy access to the Hot Springs and Boquillas Canyon.

3️⃣ Cottonwood Campground – Generator-free campground, a quiet retreat near Santa Elena Canyon on the park’s west side.

4️⃣ Rio Grande Village RV Park – The only option with full hookups inside the park, ideal for large RVs.

5️⃣ Backcountry Camping – Ultimate seclusion with epic night skies. Permits are required, and some areas need high-clearance AWD/4×4.

6️⃣ Outside the Park – Nearby campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping options to the north and west are great alternatives if the park fills up.

1. Chisos Basin Campground

✅ Open Year Round, Tent + RV Camping, Restrooms
❌ Not suitable for Trailers 10+ feet or RVs 24+ feet, No Hookups, No Showers, No Laundry
📍Close to Lost Mine Trail, South Rim Trail, Window Trail, and great sunset views of The Window

Located in the heart of Big Bend, Chisos Basin Campground was our favorite campground in Big Bend! We stayed here for 3 nights in March and loved its cooler temps, thanks to the higher elevation, which keeps it about 20 degrees cooler than the lower campgrounds. The drive up to the campground is gorgeous in and of itself, but due to how narrow and winding it is, access is limited to trailers under 20 feet and RVs under 24 feet.

Nestled in the rugged Chisos Mountains, it offers stunning views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak, plus easy access to top hikes like the Lost Mine Trail, the South Rim Trail, and the Window Trail.

As far as facilities go, the campground has restrooms, though they were replaced with porta-potties during our visit, drinking water every few sites, covered picnic tables, grills, and bear-proof food storage lockers, but no hookups, showers, or laundry. For tent campers in larger groups, there is also a separate tent-only section available for groups of 9-20 people to reserve.

The sunset at Chisos Basin Campground was magical, with the last light fading over the mountains as stars emerged. Wildlife was also quite active—we spotted deer, Mexican Bluejays, and even heard a mountain lion at night! After dark, you also have the nearby amphitheater that hosts free ranger-led evening talks, which is the perfect way to end a day in Big Bend.

📍 Location: Window View Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX
📅 Open: Year Round
💰 Price: $16/night for a standard 1-8 person site (up to 2 vehicles)
🎟 Reservations: Reservations Required

2. Rio Grande Village Campground

✅ Open Year Round, Tent + RV Camping, Showers, Restrooms, Laundry
❌ No Hookups, Limited capacity (only 25 sites available May–October due to heat)
📍Close to hot springs, Boquillas Crossing, and Boquillas Canyon

We spent a night at the Rio Grande Village Campground, nestled on the east side of Big Bend near the Rio Grande and the Mexican border. In the summer, the campground is limited to just 25 because of the heat, but in the winter, this tree-lined campground is ideal since it has a lower elevation compared to Chisos Basin Campground. You’re close to Boquillas Crossing, Hot Springs Trail, Ernst Tinaja Trail, and tons of other attractions found on the east side of the park.

Set in a cottonwood grove, the campground provides great birdwatching, hiking, and moderate privacy, though some sites are more secluded than others. For a quieter stay, opt for a campsite toward the back. If you prefer a more social atmosphere or are camping with family, sites near the entrance may be a better fit.

Each campsite comes with picnic tables, grills, bear boxes, and nearby drinking water. There was also a nearby dump station, coin-operated showers, and even a laundry station! Like Chisos Basin, it has a tent-only group camping area for larger parties (9-40 people).

📍 Location: South East Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
📅 Open: Year Round, Reduced Capacity (25 sites only) from May 1 – October 31 due to heat
💰 Price: $16/night for a standard 1-8 person site (up to 2 vehicles)
🎟 Reservations: Reservations Required

3. Cottonwood Campground

✅ Closed May – October, Tent + RV Camping, Restrooms
❌ No Generators Allowed, No Hookups, No Showers, No Laundry
📍 Close to Santa Elena Canyon, Castolon Historic District, and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

Cottonwood Campground is a quiet, more primitive campground on the west side of Big Bend. It offers easy access to Santa Elena Canyon, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and several hiking trails like Tuff Canyon, Mule Ears, and The Chimneys. Cars access this campground from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

While we didn’t stay overnight, we stopped by and found it to be spacious, but with less privacy than Chisos Basin or Rio Grande Village. The no-generator rule makes it a great spot for those seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid experience. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and bear box, but the rest of the amenities are minimal—there are no showers or laundry stations.

📍 Location: South West Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
📅 Open: November 1 – April 30
💰 Price: $16/night for a standard 1-8 person site (up to 2 vehicles)
🎟 Reservations: Reservations Required

4. Rio Grande Village RV Park

✅ Open Year Round, RV Camping Only, Full Hookups, Showers, Restrooms, Laundry
❌ No Tent Camping, No Bear Boxes
📍Close to hot springs, Boquillas Crossing, and Boquillas Canyon

If you’re looking for a Big Bend National Park RV camping experience with full hookups, Rio Grande Village RV Park is your spot. Run by a concessionaire, it sits at the end of Rio Grande Village Road, offering water, sewer, and electric hookups—a huge plus if you’re visiting in the hotter months. We also were happy to see a dump station nearby!

Unlike the more scenic campgrounds, this is a simple parking lot setup, with RVs backed into spaces that each have a small grassy area, picnic table, and grill. It’s also right next to the camp store, making it convenient for picking up supplies.

Expect a busier atmosphere, especially during peak times like spring break, when we saw families and kids playing throughout the area. It’s more expensive than the other campgrounds, at $36/night, but for those needing hookups, it’s the best (and only) option in the park.

📍 Location: 460 Park Rte 12, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
📅 Open: Year Round
💰 Price: $36/night for a vehicle with 2 people, $3 additional person charge
🎟 Reservations: Reservations Required or call 855.765.1324

5. Backcountry Camping

✅ Tent + RV Camping, Bear Boxes at Primitive Roadside Campsites
❌ No Amenities
📍 Locations Vary

For those craving seclusion, epic night skies, and a true wilderness experience, backcountry camping in Big Bend is the way to go. Although there’s the added step of getting a permit, backcountry camping is also the most affordable way to camp in the park, at only $10/night!

We spent two nights at a primitive roadside campsite off Old Maverick Road, a gravel road lined with designated backcountry sites marked by metal signs. Before heading out, we checked with an NPS ranger to confirm our lifted AWD Sprinter van could handle the road—always a good idea since high clearance or 4×4 vehicles are required on some backcountry roads.

This was our favorite spot for stargazing and night photography in the entire park! We had a blast setting up the camera and capturing photos of the stars once the sun went down. Not to mention the peaceful solitude we experienced and the stunning sunrise/sunset views we got over the Chisos Mountains and Santa Elena Canyon.

How to Get a Backcountry Permit in Big Bend

If we’ve sold you on going backcountry camping, you’ll need a permit to do so. Luckily, they’re not as complicated to get as you think. Backcountry permits for Big Bend can be obtained in two ways:

1. Online Permits: Most backcountry campsites (Chisos Mountains Backpacking & Primitive Roadside Campsites) are available for reservation up to 180 days in advance through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The permit itself is acquired online along with your reservation.

1. In-Person Permits: For desert wilderness backpacking, primitive roadside sites along Old Maverick Road, and river campsites, permits are available 24 hours in advance at the Panther Junction or Chisos Basin Visitor Centers. River permits can also be obtained in person, up to 7 days in advance.

💰 Price: $10 per night ($5 with a Senior or Access pass).
🕰️ Visitor Center Hours: Panther Junction: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Chisos Basin: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (closed for lunch)

6. Tent and RV Camping Outside Big Bend

If campgrounds inside Big Bend are full or you want more amenities, like pools or free showers, there are great options in the surrounding area. Below we’ve popped in three RV Parks and campgrounds, plus some glamping options we noticed when driving outside the park.

1. Maverick Ranch RV Park – 20 minutes from the park entrance, offering full hookups, showers, laundry, and a pool ($50/night). Reserve here or call 432-424-5182.
2. Stillwells Store and RV Park – Just 8 miles from Big Bend’s northern entrance, with tent sites ($10/night) and RV sites ($24/night). Reserve here.
3. Big Bend Ranch State Park – Offers primitive & developed sites ($10-16/night + $5 park entrance fee), but is 3 hours from Big Bend.
4. Glamping – Unique stays like domes, yurts, and luxury homes can be found just outside the park. Two we spotted nearby were Camp Elena and Stardust Luxury A-Frame Homes.

🗺️ Map of Big Bend Campgrounds

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

💡 4 Things to Know Before Camping in Big Bend

Before hitting the road to Big Bend National Park, there are some key things to keep in mind to make your tent-camping or RV experience smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Reserve Your Spot in Advance

Reservations for Big Bend campgrounds can be hard to secure, so it’s best to plan in advance. You can reserve campsites up to 6 months ahead. Alternatively, you can try for last-minute availability—sites are released 2 weeks in advance at 9 am CST.

Elliot scored us our 3-day spot at Chisos Basin by booking exactly at 9 a.m. two weeks before. We also scored backcountry camping by asking rangers at the Panther Junction Visitor Center about recent cancellations the morning of our visit. Lastly, we found a last-minute cancellation for Rio Grande Village by checking Recreation.gov after finishing our sunset hike.

All this is to say that while booking early is recommended, it’s still possible to get a spot last minute!

2. Stock Up on Groceries

Big Bend is remote, and while there are a few convenience stores inside the park, your options are limited. Be sure to stock up on food, especially fresh produce, before entering the park.

• Inside the Park: Castolon Store, The Basin Convenience Store, and Rio Grande Village Store are inside the park and can handle basic needs, but don’t expect much fresh produce or a big grocery run.
  
• Closest Big Grocery Store: Blue Water Natural Foods in Alpine, located about 1.5 hours away, is your closest big supermarket. If you’re planning to stock up on fresh items like produce, this is your best bet!
  
• Smaller local stores: You’ll also find smaller stores in Terlingua (Cottonwood General Store) and Marathon (The French Company Grocer), with more selection and fresh produce than the park’s general stores, but less variety than Alpine.

3. Check Gas Prices

There are two gas stations within Big Bend, and during our Big Bend National Park RV camping trip, we found gas to be less expensive inside the park. Be sure to check gas prices outside the park beforehand so you can compare and decide the best place to fill up. The two gas stations in the park are:

• Panther Junction Gas Station
• Rio Grande Village Store Gas Station

4. Conserve & Safely Dump Water

Big Bend National Park is in a desert environment, and water resources are limited, so it’s important to conserve water during your visit. There are water stations at the frontcountry campgrounds, but it’s still a good idea to arrive with a full water tank.

As far as safely dumping water goes, most campgrounds do not have full hookups, but there are designated sites for water fill and gray/black water dumping. During our visit in March 2025, the freshwater fill and dump station at Chisos Basin was closed, but we were permitted to use the station just outside of the Rio Grande Village campground.

☀️ Best Time of Year to Camp in Big Bend

The best time to camp in Big Bend is November 1st to April 30th, when daytime temperatures are mild, nights are cool, and all campgrounds are open. Summers in the park are brutally hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C). If you do visit in the summer, Chisos Basin is your best bet as temperatures are about 20 degrees cooler than other campgrounds.

🦺 5 Safety Tips in Big Bend

Camping in Big Bend offers incredible views and a true wilderness experience, but staying safe requires preparation. Keep these 5 safety tips in mind when camping in the park:

1. Food & Wildlife: Store all food, coolers, and scented items in a hard-sided vehicle or the provided bear boxes. Never feed wildlife. Dispose of trash in bear-proof bins.
   
2. Fire & Cooking: Open fires are prohibited. Use gas stoves or charcoal grills with caution, and check for fire restrictions. For the most up-to-date information, we recommend checking the information placards near the entrance of every campground or asking an NPS Park Ranger.
   
3. Nighttime Precautions: Always carry a flashlight. Inspect shoes and bedding for snakes, scorpions, and spiders before use. Shake out their shoes for scorpions.
   
4. Water & Hydration: Bring at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Natural water sources are unreliable. We carried water bladders and water bottles to ensure we had enough water.
   
5. Emergency Preparedness: Cell service is limited. Let someone know your plans and carry a map, first aid kit, and whistle for signaling if needed. We recommend carrying a Garmin InReach for emergencies.

❓ FAQs

Are RVs allowed in Big Bend National Park?

Yes, RVs are allowed in Big Bend National Park, but size restrictions vary by campground. For those looking for a Big Bend National Park RV camping spot with full hookups, Rio Grande Village RV Park is the best option and can accommodate larger rigs. Other campgrounds in the park are more limited, with a maximum length of 24 feet.

Can you camp anywhere in Big Bend National Park?

No, camping is only allowed in designated frontcountry campgrounds or in the backcountry with a backcountry permit. Dispersed camping outside of marked areas is prohibited.

Are there free campgrounds in Big Bend?

There are no free campgrounds inside Big Bend National Park, as all developed campgrounds require a fee for camping. However, backcountry camping is the most low-cost option. The backcountry campsites, such as where we stayed along Old Maverick Road, do have a small fee (typically around $10 per night) and require a permit.

Which Big Bend campground is best?

It depends on what you’re looking to do in Big Bend National Park! We stayed at three different campground locations and enjoyed different things about each of them. Our favorite campground was Chisos Basin as it was close to so many hiking trails, full of wildlife, and surrounded by mountains—making it one of the best campgrounds we ever stayed in!

Does Big Bend National Park have electric hookups?

Big Bend National Park RV camping is mostly dry camping, as the park itself does not provide electric hookups. However, Rio Grande Village RV Park, operated by a concessionaire, offers full hookups for RVs. All other campgrounds in the park are dry camping only.

What is the maximum RV size for Big Bend?

Maximum RV size varies by park and campground, but for Big Bend National Park RV camping, RVs longer than 24 feet may struggle with the winding roads leading to Chisos Basin. For larger rigs, Rio Grande Village RV Park is the best option, as it’s the only campground in the park with full hookups and space for big RVs.

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