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Big Bend National ParkPaddling down Santa Elena Canyon
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Big Bend National Park
Elephant Tusk roadside campsite

The Elephant Tusk primitive campsite is located three miles up the Black Gap from the River Road. 

 
Site Name EL-1
Vehicles 1
Persons 6
Horses no
 

How to Get There
The turn-off for the Black Gap Road is 21 miles from the east end of the River Road and 29.6 miles from the west end. The Elephant Tusk campsite is approximately 3 miles north on the Black Gap Road.

Usual Road Conditions
High clearance vehicles required. After any rain, 4-wheel drive is also required. The Black Gap road is no longer maintained and is very rough—extreme caution is required.
Current road conditions...

Ground Cover/Shade
No shade available. Gravel ground cover.

Views
Excellent view of Elephant Tusk Mountain. Good view of Mariscal Mountain. This site is across the road from the Elephant Tusk trailhead.

River Access
None. 

Cautionary Notes
Check current road conditions with a ranger. 4-wheel drive is required after any rain. To minimize the possibility of theft, secure belongings when away from the campsite and while sleeping. Do not leave site unattended for long periods of time.

Remarks
This campsite is near the road (east side) and is across from the Elephant Tusk trailhead. This site is small. The site is easiest to approach from the south along the River Road, as opposed to coming from the north via the Glenn Spring Road.

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.

 
 
Johnnie Ward, 1886  

Did You Know?
Ward Mountain (6,925'/2,111m), which forms the southern boundary of "The Window" is named for Johnnie Ward, a cowboy who worked for the G4 ranch in the Big Bend area in the mid-1880s.

Last Updated: November 30, 2006 at 17:14 EST