Developed Campgrounds
There are four campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) operates three developed frontcountry campgrounds that provide drinking water and restroom facilities. The campgrounds use self-registration and the majority of sites are first-come, first-served. In addition, a full hookup RV camping area is operated by the park concessioner, Forever Resorts.
NPS Campgrounds
Concession Campground
- Rio Grande Village RV Campground (run by Forever Resorts. 25 sites with full hook-ups).
located adjacent to the Rio Grande Village Store. For reservations call 1-877-386-4383 or 432-477-2293.
NPS Campground Reservations
A limited number of campsites in the Rio Grande Village campground are reservable from November 15-April 15, and in the Chisos Basin campground from November 15–May 31. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance by visiting recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Big Bend National Park cannot make reservations. For more information visit the campground reservations page.
NOTICE: beginning January 15, 2020 additional sites in the Chisos Basin and Rio Grande Village Campgrounds will be added to the reservation system. Read more
Camping Limits
- Visitors can stay in the park up to 14 consecutive nights in either a front or backcountry site, with a limit of 28 total nights in the park in a calendar year.
- Campers can occupy a specific site up to 14 total nights in a year.
- During the busy season from January 1–April 15, visitors are limited to a total of 14 nights in the park.
Camping Options Outside of Big Bend National Park
There are a variety of options for camping outside the park when Big Bend is full.
Backcountry Camping
Permits for primitive roadside campsites, backpacking, and river-use permits are issued at Panther Junction and Chisos Basin Visitor Centers during operating hours. All permits are issued in person and must be obtained before the backcountry use. Backcountry use regulations and group size limits apply. Please visit the backcountry use page for more information.
Backpacking Group Size Limit
An organized group or individual party may not exceed a 15 person limit.
There are currently only two Chisos campsites that can accommodate a group this size: it may be necessary to split the group to other campsites. Groups of of 5 to 15 may need to split into smaller groups but groups that split up must not exceed the total of 15 people per night for any one or group of sites in the Chisos backpacking zone. As permits are issued only on a first come, first-served basis, it is best to plan ahead, and have alternative itineraries in mind, especially during peak visitation periods.
