• Sierra del Carmen

    Big Bend

    National Park Texas

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  • PANTHER JUNCTION VISITOR CENTER TEMPORARY CLOSURE

    The Panther Junction Visitor Center will be closed Tuesday May 28 and Wednesday May 29 for needed maintenance. Information, backcountry permits, and entrance fee payments can be taken care of at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center.

Zone Camping

Mesa de Anguila
Mesa de Anguila
NPS Photo/Reine Wonite
 
Zone camping is available throughout much of the park's desert elevations. The scenery varies from Rio Grande floodplain and arid badlands to sotol grasslands and rugged volcanic peaks. Some areas are regularly used and easily accessible while other more isolated areas are seldom used.
 

Things to Know

  • Zone camping requires a backcountry permit.
  • You must specify a particular zone for for each night of your itinerary.
  • Individual group size is limited to 15 people. Larger groups must split up, and may not camp in adjacent zones.
  • Camp must be at least 0.5 mile from the road and out of sight of any road.
  • Camp must be at least 100 yards from any trail, historical structure, archeological site, dry wash, water source, or cliff edge.
Backcountry Zone Map [220k PDF File]
Map of backcountry zone camping areas with names, codes, and capacities. Formatted to fit on legal-size paper.
 

Hiking the Outer Mountain Loop, Mesa de Anguila, or the Marufo Vega Trail

The most remote areas of Big Bend National Park are best left to experienced backpackers. Each year, park rangers respond to desert emergencies when hikers are not prepared for the heat and extreme conditions of the desert.

Due to the complex topography and vague trails, detailed 7.5 minute topographical maps and a compass are necessary for most hikes.

  • Topographic Map Index Topographic Map Index

    Index to topographic maps for the park Read More

  • Going Solo? Going Solo?

    Information on Big Bend's solo backcountry user program. Read More

  • Leave No Trace Leave No Trace

    Learn more about the Leave No Trace program Read More

  • Survive the Sun Survive the Sun

    Heat safety information Read More

Did You Know?

Ocotillo and bluebonnets

Found throughout Big Bend National Park, the ocotillo is not a cactus. Following significant rainfall, leaves will sprout, regardless of the time of year, and they will remain on the plant as long as it has adequate moisture to sustain them. More...