Big Bend National Park spans over 800,000 acres where the Chihuahuan Desert meets mountain terrain, creating dramatic temperature variations between elevations. The park receives less than 12 inches of annual rainfall, contributing to its extremely dark night skies. Campground elevations range from about 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to over 5,400 feet in the Chisos Basin, affecting temperatures by up to 20°F between these areas.
What to do
Hike the Window Trail: Access this popular trail directly from Chisos Basin Campground, making it ideal for early morning hiking. "Window View trail — 'our short mountain hike' —5 and some change miles round-trip out and back. Trail head in the Lodge parking lot but also has a trail head in the campground. Easier hike to a SUPER cool view through a 'window'-like chasm where a waterfall flows when it's rainier," explains Val W.
Visit Boquillas, Mexico: The border crossing near Rio Grande Village Campground allows for day trips to Mexico (passport required). "You have the ability to walk right up to the Rio Grande River and the border between the US and Mexico. It is physically possible to cross the river into Mexico, but technically one must have a passport to travel between the two borders," notes Troy W.
Stargaze from primitive sites: The back roads offer superior stargazing with minimal light pollution. "Late summer this is one of the penultimate places on the planet to photograph the Milky Way. Since you are near to Santa Elena canyon you can drive up and get the iconic picture of the Milky Way stretched across it," shares Charles A. about Cottonwood Campground.
What campers like
Mountain isolation: Chisos Basin offers solitude despite being one of the more popular campgrounds. "There were a couple to pick from when we got there and more opened up over the course of the morning, though all 3 campgrounds in Big Bend were full every night we were there. The site we got was PERFECT! It was on the edge of the camp ground and tucked around a corner," notes Val W.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diversity of ecosystems supports varied wildlife. "We LOVED our stay here! The walk to both canyons were worth the time. We saw lots of animals in our campsite! Bob cat was a real treat!" says Diane M. about Rio Grande Village Group Campground.
Temperature variations: Campers value the cooler temperatures at higher elevations during hot months. "Colder up here at elevation, especially during the nights," mentions Sydney about mountain camping. "During the summer it will be brutally hot during the day, but I have had the entire campground to myself for up to a week," explains Charles A. about lower elevation sites.
What you should know
Big Bend National Park camping reservations: Securing a spot requires advance planning, especially during peak seasons (March-April and October-November). "As typical of the national parks, you have to reserve and you need to know how the system works to get a good spot," advises Doug W. All established campgrounds require reservations through the national park booking system.
Limited facilities in primitive areas: Big Bend Backcountry Camping requires self-sufficiency. "Be prepared to be isolated and tranquil and all the beauty that comes with it! There is one considerable dip in road leading to site that may prevent all but the shortest tongued pull behinds from reaching the site," warns Neal L. about a primitive site.
Road conditions vary significantly: High-clearance vehicles are necessary for many backcountry sites. "You'll need a high-clearance vehicle to get here. It's one of the many back country car camping sites. Most of the time you won't see more than a handful of cars drive by the whole time you're there," explains Whitney L. about remote camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Choose shaded sites: In lower elevations, tree cover makes a significant difference in comfort. "Plenty of trees provide much needed shade, pit toilets, potable drinking water plus different spigots for dishwashing water," notes Rachel S. about Cottonwood Campground.
Pack extra water for all activities: Children require more water than adults in the desert environment. "I arrived just before noon. The plan was to spend 2 nights camping at the Boot Canyon hike in camp ground. Everything I read said that you really need at least a gallon of water per person per day so I left my car at the amphitheater parking lot with 9 liters of water," shares Douglas K., who still ran low despite planning ahead.
Consider alternative accommodations: Pine Canyon offers more accessible primitive camping. "Pretty Awesome primitive camping that doesn't need 4WD! These sites are awesome, accessible, quiet and remote and beautiful. All the things we wanted in primitive camping," recommends Aliza N., noting it's more manageable with children.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions are serious: The mountain roads have tight turns that limit RV size. "The park service recommends that you not try to navigate the road to the campground with a travel trailer longer than 20 feet, but I didn't have any issues getting in and out with my camper. I may have benefitted from a shorter-wheelbase tow vehicle," explains Don T. about Chisos Basin.
Generator restrictions vary by area: Some campgrounds have generator-free zones for quieter camping. "We stayed in site 32 which added a lot to our stay, it was an outer campground with a secluded area and view of the mountains, rather than in the rows of RVs with generators," shares Kerry J. about Rio Grande Village.
Consider nearby private options: When park campgrounds fill up, nearby RV parks offer alternatives with more amenities. "This campground is easy to get to and navigate around in, which is important with a 44' 5th wheel. It quite and dark at night so you can see the amazing stars," mentions Brandon G.
