• Sierra del Carmen

    Big Bend

    National Park Texas

Backpacking in the Chisos Mountains

Backpacking in the Chisos Mountains
Backpacking in the Chisos Mountains
NPS Photo/Jennette Jurado
 
Backpackers in the Chisos Mountains can choose from forty-two designated campsites. Some are surrounded by trees deep in Boot Canyon, while others lie in fairly open Laguna Meadow. Some are perched high near the South Rim, while others sit lower and closer to the trailhead. Some sites have spectacular views, while others are more sheltered and protected.
 

Backcountry Permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips.

Water
Big bend is a desert park; water is precious, ephemeral, and unpredictable. In addition, the dry desert air quickly uses up the body's water reserves. Carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day.

No Fires/No Smoking
Campfires are prohibited. Use only gas/propane backpacker stoves. Smoking is prohibited along all Chisos Mountain trails.

Pack it in/Pack it out
Preserve the park's natural beauty by packing out every thing you pack in.

Composting Toilets
Four composting toilets are located in the High Chisos: at Toll Mountain, Boot Canyon, South Rim, and Laguna Meadow. Toilet paper is not provided.

Seasonal Closures
The Southeast Rim Trail and a portion of the Northeast Rim Trail from the Boot Canyon/Southeast Rim junction to a point just north of Campsite NE-4 is closed during the peregrine falcon brooding season from February 1 through May 31 each year.

Bears and Lions
Black bears and mountain lions live in the Chisos Mountains, and their presence requires special considerations. Never leave food unattended. Overnight campers must use bear proof food lockers available at each campsite. Know what to do if you encounter a bear or a lion.

 
Chisos Mountains Backcountry Campsites
Use this workbook to see pictures and locations of the backcountry campsites.

Did You Know?

Creosote

The predominant shrub found in Big Bend National Park is creosote. While most shrubs lose their leaves in winter, creosote maintains its resinous foliage year round. After a rainstorm, the shrubs "green-up" and produce small, yellow flowers several times a year. More...