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Big Bend National ParkYoung boy viewing fish in the beaver pond
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Big Bend National Park
Gravel Pit roadside campsites

Four primitive campsites are located in the Gravel Pit area, just a short distance down the River Road East.

 
Site Name GP-1 GP-2 GP-3 GP-4
Vehicles 1 1 2 3
Persons 6 6 12 15
Horses no no no no
 

How to Get There
Via River Road East, 1.8 miles from the junction with the main park road to Rio Grande Village. The access road to the campsite is 1.4 miles in length.

Usual Road Conditions
The River Road is maintained for high-clearance vehicles only! After rains, the River Road and Gravel Pit road are extremely muddy and may quickly become impassable to ALL vehicles. Ask a ranger about current conditions.
Current road conditions...

Ground Cover/Shade
GP-1,2,3 have NO shade available. Open desert scrub and cactus with a gravel base.
GP-4 has shade from a large tamarisk tree, and has a sandy base.

Views
GP-1,2,3 have beautiful views of the Sierra del Carmen and Sierra San Vicente. GP-4 is close to the river, but has no view of the river.

River Access
The river bank is steep with much cane along the slopes. It is accessible by foot, but a boat launch would be very difficult. 

Cautionary Notes
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
Check current road conditions with a ranger.

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.

 
 
Size comparison between pterosaur and a modern automobile  

Did You Know?
The second largest flying animal ever documented on the planet was found in Big Bend National Park. Fossilized remains of the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus northropi, with a wingspan of 35 feet, were first found in the park in 1971.
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Last Updated: March 01, 2007 at 17:55 EST