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Big Bend National ParkBiking past the Chisos Mountains
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Big Bend National Park
Croton Spring roadside campsites

Two primitive campsites are located along the Croton Spring Road, which begins nine miles west of Panther Junction. The two campsites are adjacent and share a common parking area. This area is suitable for a large group if the sites are combined.

 
Site Name CS-1 CS-2
Vehicles 2 2
Persons 6 6
Horses no no
 

How to Get There
The Croton Springs Road is located 9 miles west of Panther Junction Visitor Center on the north side of the main park road. The access road is dirt and 1 mile in length.

Usual Road Conditions
Generally the Croton Spring Road is in good condition and accessible to all vehicles most of the year. Beyond the campsite area a gate closes the road to further travel due to heavy erosion in Croton Wash. Ask a Park Ranger for the latest road conditions.
Current road conditions...

Ground Cover/Shade
No shade available. There is very sparse vegetation at this site.

Views
Good views of the Chisos Mountains and typical desert terrain. Croton Peak and Slickrock Mountain are visible to the north. Croton Spring and Wash are within a short walking distance from the campsite area.

River Access
None. 

Cautionary Notes
Do not attempt to drive a vehicle or ride a bike past the closed gate at the end of the road near the campsites. This section of road is extremely eroded and open to foot traffic only.

Remarks
Croton Spring is a reliable source of water for wildlife year-round.

The two campsites are adjacent and share a common parking area. This area is suitable for a large group if the sites are combined.

A backcountry use permit is required (available at visitor centers). Campers are responsible for regulations listed on the permit. Camping is in designated sites for minimal impact on the surrounding vegetation.

 
 
Horseback rider in Tornillo Creek, 1930s  

Did You Know?
Tornillo Creek drains the eastern portion of Big Bend National Park. The usually dry creek bed is named for the screwbean (tornillo) mesquite. For brief periods after summer thunderstorms, this desert stream roars. Tornillo Creek joins the Rio Grande at Hot Springs.
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Last Updated: March 02, 2007 at 16:47 EST