Big Bend National Park - Types of Backcountry Use in Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

All overnight backcountry use requires a backcountry use permit. Certain types of day-use (horses/stock or river use) also require a free backcountry permit.

Hiking/Backpacking | Backcountry Roads | Horse/Stock Use | River Use

NPS/Big Bend National Park

Hikers on the South Rim.

Hiking/Backpacking
Big Bend National park is a hiker’s paradise containing the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas. More than 150 miles of trails offer opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. For more experienced hikers, the lure of the desert can be answered by hiking and camping off-trail.

High Chisos Designated sites
Backpackers in the Chisos Mountains can choose from a number of designated backcountry sites along the trails of the High Chisos. You choose a specific site for each night. All High Chisos sites have food storage lockers. It is crucial that all backpackers in the Chisos adhere to the "Food Storage in Bear Country" Rules.

More Information about camping in the High Chisos...

Open Zone Camping
Open zone camping permits are available for backpackers who wish to camp outside of the Chisos Mountains. The park is divided into a number of zones ranging from areas along popular trails to extremely isolated areas. Zone camping requires that you:

camp at least 1/2 mile from and out of sight of any road (including unpaved roads)
camp at least 100 yards from any trail, historic structure, archeological site, dry wash or cliff edge.
camp at least 1/4 mile away from any water source.

More information on Zone Camping...

Camping along the Old Ore Road

Backcountry Roads
For those who wish to camp in the backcountry without having to backpack, Big Bend offers a number of primitive campsites along backcountry roads. Most sites are located in the desert and along the River Road, there are no primitive roadside campsites in the Chisos Mountains. While some sites are accessible to most vehicles, a high clearance and/or four wheel drive vehicle is necessary to reach others. Other than a nice view and a flat gravel space, these sites offer NO amenities.

More information on roadside camping...

Desert horse riders

Horse/Stock Use
For visitors with horses, Big Bend offers a complex riding experience. Trails allow horse access to the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains, and in the open desert you can travel cross-country to explore the region as Comanches and ranchers once did.

More information on bringing horses to Big Bend...

On the Rio Grande

River Use
Imagine drifting down the Rio Grande through sheer walls of limestone, with the occasional sound of your paddle dipping in the water and the song of a canyon wren as your only acoustic accompaniments. A river trip through one of Big Bend National Park’s spectacular canyons can offer you this type of wilderness escape.

More information on floating the Rio Grande...