Best Equestrian Camping near Big Bend National Park

The crown jewel of the Lone Star State is Big Bend National Park. This spot of southwest Texas is the pinnacle of all things outdoors in the state of Texas. Whether you want to explore the history of the state, spot wildlife, or just enjoy a hike, Big Bend is the place to be.

There are a number of campgrounds associated with Big Bend. Some are run by the park, and one is an RV park operated by a resort. The busy season here is actually November to April, where campsites will be harder to come by. Make sure to reserve your campground ahead of time, especially during peak season. The best camping near Big Bend is in the park itself, as Texas has little BLM land to make use of. Study Butte, TX, and the surrounding areas offer some accommodations if you can't get a spot in the park.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Big Bend National Park (11)

    1. Rio Grande Village RV Campground — Big Bend National Park

    19 Reviews
    Terlingua, TX
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 477-1121

    $16 / night

    "If you want full hook ups for camping it is the only one in Big Bend National Park. they only have 25 sites all back in. Pay for showers if you don't have your own. But catch the sunrise and sunsets."

    "This is a large campground with multiple types of spots, with access for even some of the largest rvs and tow behinds."

    2. La Noria — Big Bend National Park

    2 Reviews
    Big Bend National Park, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 477-2251

    3. Hannold Draw — Big Bend National Park

    3 Reviews
    Big Bend National Park, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 477-2251

    $10 / night

    "It’s close to the main road but not too close. Be aware that back country sites like this one must be reserved on Recreation.gov as of Jan 1, 2021."

    4. Black Dike — Big Bend National Park

    3 Reviews
    Big Bend National Park, TX
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 477-2251

    "Among these are bring (and consume) enough water, and the 4-wheel drive, high clearance recommendations of certain back-country camping sites."

    "Drive up to site. Incredibly quiet and amazing stars. Saw a few snakes (none dangerous), deer, lots of birds. Pretty shady, near water. Great views nearby."

    5. Stillwell Store & RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Big Bend National Park, TX
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 376-2244

    "Our goal was to visit big bend national park and this is the nearest park we could find. It is about 9 miles to the park entrance.

    All sites are dirt, but connections are good. Wifi is good."

    "Great place to stay if you want to get away from it all. Be prepared for slow internet an NO Cell Signal at all. We stayed on the full hookup side of the road."

    6. The Goat Pens

    3 Reviews
    Terlingua, TX
    24 miles
    Website

    $40 / night

    "Not very big area but it was ok, voices echo so night time you might have difficulty sleeping it was 1am and group of people were being rowdy the person near us had to yell at them to quiet down and those"

    "Very close to big bend! did look and look twice. Would have been 5 stars but man had to haul out my trash bags in my car as there was no dumpster."

    7. Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    20 Reviews
    Redford, TX
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 229-3416

    "Síť there in total privacy and watch canoers maneuver the little rapids, turtles sunning on River rocks, birds and ducks coming and going and a few hundred feet across in Mexico see three horses and a"

    "This is one of my favorite Texas campsites. If you love the desert and big Texas sunsets this is the place to camp."

    8. Red Bluff at Terlingua Ranch

    1 Review
    Terlingua, TX
    34 miles
    +1 (713) 503-9281

    $20 - $30 / night

    9. Rincon 1 — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    3 Reviews
    Terlingua, TX
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (432) 229-3613

    $12 / night

    "Most of the path is easy until you leave normal roads at the La Posta site.  After the first descent on a very rocky ledge, its mostly managing to keep on the path and navigate a few obstacles. "

    "Incredible location deep within BBRSP. The majority of the route is straightforward until you deviate from regular roads near the La Posta site.
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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Big Bend National Park

1 Photos of 11 Big Bend National Park Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Big Bend National Park

71 Reviews of 11 Big Bend National Park Campgrounds


  • r
    Jan. 3, 2022

    Stillwell Store & RV Park

    Good Location, Crummy Place

    Proximity to Big Bend National Park keeps this place in business.  It does have electric and water hookups, but overall the place is dirty and dumpy.  Poor wifi near the store only, not at the campsites.  If they had any competition, they'd fold.  The gal working the sad little store was friendly, at least.

  • B
    Jan. 29, 2022

    Stillwell Store & RV Park

    Remote location

    Campground has all the basics. We are here in off season so not much activity. Our goal was to visit big bend national park and this is the nearest park we could find. It is about 9 miles to the park entrance.

    All sites are dirt, but connections are good. Wifi is good. No cell service. We don't use park showers, so no idea what they are like.

    Over all it fills the bill.

  • Mary T.
    May. 7, 2019

    Rio Grande Village RV Campground — Big Bend National Park

    It is not the campground it is the Park

    OK the campground is a parking lot and I mean a parking lot. Each spot is 2 parking spots. It is all asphalt. No Cell Phone, No Internet, no TV nothing. But was the best place we have been to. If you want full hook ups for camping it is the only one in Big Bend National Park. they only have 25 sites all back in. Pay for showers if you don't have your own. But catch the sunrise and sunsets. Hike to Boquillas Canyon, the hot springs down the river or all over Rio Grande Village. Drive to all of Big Bend and spend days hiking Mountains, Deserts, River, Canyons. The most beautiful area in the World at least to me.

  • Z
    May. 1, 2017

    Rio Grande Village RV Campground — Big Bend National Park

    Little privacy PLENTY of bugs

    We arrived after traveling the long journey into Big Bend National Park and were excited to camp in the Chisos Basin but the campground was full. We were informed that there were spots open at Rio Grande Village, and we quickly found out why. We were there in early March and the temperature was already into the low 90's during the day with wet and muggy nights in the low 80's.

    The campsites are open with little to no privacy or sound barriers to block out the noise from generators. The one plus side to an open campground is that you can see the Javelinas before you can smell them. The temperature made most day hikes nearly uncomfortable so we resigned to swimming most of the day away.

  • Lisa S.
    Feb. 24, 2021

    Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Rio Grande Access

    Stayed at Grassy Bank (this is not an “interior primitive site”)off and on over a three weeks period in mid to late Feb. 2021. There are 17 designated sites and several dispersed. All numbered sites are large, offer moderate to total privacy, and all have cabanas, picnic tables, and fire rings. #15 is the only camp site directly on the River. Síť there in total privacy and watch canoers maneuver the little rapids, turtles sunning on River rocks, birds and ducks coming and going and a few hundred feet across in Mexico see three horses and a donkey grazing or javelinas coming to drink at the river’s edge. It’s paradise. There’s a canoe launch or go tubing or take a dip. There are two separate but adjacent very clean pít toilets and plenty of open space to walk the dog.

    Cost is $12 pěr day plus $5 park entry fee which unfortunately has to be paid every day you camp. There is no cell service or WiFi. Closest access is seven miles away in Lajitas at the market. The woman Ranger who manages the Bartoň Warnock Center during weekdays where you register should not be dealing with the Public. There’s water and a dump station at the Center.

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2022

    Rio Grande Village RV Campground — Big Bend National Park

    Cramped sites

    Stayed here at the end of May 2022. I knew it would be hot, but I can’t describe the intensity of the heat. The campsite itself was very cramped, luckily there were only a half dozen other campers while I was there… I could see this place being very crowded during peak months. I came here to see the dark skies but had to drive a few miles from the campground to avoid the bright lights of other RV’s. There was gas available at the nearby store as well most things you’d need at the store. You have to pay for showers with quarters so be prepared for that… $2.00 for 5 minutes. I crossed into Mexico via the Boquillas Crossing, rode a Burro into the village and had lunch. Bring small bills to pay for things there… cost to ride Burro, horse or truck. Plus $3 per person once you get to Mexico. Then plan on having cash for lunch and to tip your “tour guide.” Overall the campsite needs more space and shade would help too.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2019

    Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Incredible Desert Camping

    This is one of my favorite Texas campsites. If you love the desert and big Texas sunsets this is the place to camp. You will need a high clearance vehicle and experience camping in dispersed desert sites. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring, otherwise you need to bring everything including water and a toilet. The ranger station is about 25 miles off the highway on a rough washboard road. Sections of the smaller roads which lead to campsites required 4x4 vehicles. Our Sprinter 4x4 has no problem making it to our site which was about 12 miles off the highway. The variety of desert cactuses was amazing. We visited in April and it was very hot in the day. So, you will need to time the visit carefully has the summer temps can exceed 100 most days. We also experienced a lot of bees in the spring from the flowers Ocotillo plants.

  • Russell The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2022

    Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Chorro Vista

    We have recovered from our shake out trip to Big Bend Ranch State Park, Chorro Vista Camp Site. Yes we did a shake out in the most remote camp site, in the most remote State park in Texas. Texas Parks& Wildlife Dept calls this"the other side of No Where" and says bring TWO spare tires and they mean both. The 4x4 trail to get to the camp site was exhilarating, both the scenery and driving what they call maintained road. Want some real fun try the unmaintained 4X4 roads....we had a mountain goat tell us we were crazy for drive up there. If you care about your paint don't drive these roads, but if West Texas Pin Striping is a badge of honor this is for you. The Falcon Pro was awesome, if we would have had the old truck bed tent, it would have been in Mexico after the winds Friday night, as it was I was trying to figure out self rescue when the winds blew the truck over....but we made it. Then Saturday night the temps dropped to 15 degrees and us without a heater again did OK. We got some sleep Sunday night. The days were great some of the most rugged hiking ever...and the views, AMAZING. What a great experience, cant wait to get back out there.

  • C
    May. 26, 2021

    Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Tascate

    We were here 2/20/21 to 2/26/21. Weather was great, mid 70's during the day, 40 to 50 at night. 

    Horrible roads, takes forever to get anywhere! We loved the Isolation, saw very few people unless we went into the Ranger Station. Bathrooms and showers very clean, although never used showers. Bring tons of water! Can get more at Ranger station and also decent WIFI there. Free Ice is a huge bonus!

    Had Texas Longhorns in camp. We have a Truck Camper on a Silverado 3500 and originally reserved Yedra 1. We were talked out of that site by a ranger and ended up in Tascate 1 instead which was just fine. We tried driving into Yedra later in our stay and turned around, so glad we didn't end up there.

    Trails are plentiful and fantastic. The scenery fantastic. Be sure to bring everything you need food and alcohol wise!

    Also, if you have the Texas state park pass, you don't pay the daily fees and you get discounted camping on at least one night plus discounts on gift store items. Was well worth it


Guide to Big Bend National Park

Horse camping near Big Bend National Park in Texas offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With several campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

  • The Rio Grande Village RV Campground provides water hookups and a sanitary dump station, making it convenient for horse campers.
  • At Hannold Draw, you can enjoy a remote setting with ample space for your horse, although it lacks drinking water and other facilities.
  • La Noria features primitive campsites that allow for a true backcountry experience, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature with their horses.

Tips for equestrian camping near Big Bend National Park in Texas

  • Always bring enough water for both you and your horse, as many sites like Hannold Draw do not provide drinking water.
  • Be prepared for rough terrain; accessing sites like Fresno Vista may require a high-clearance vehicle to navigate the roads.
  • Ensure your horse is comfortable with camping environments, as some areas, such as Black Dike, can be quite remote and may not have nearby facilities.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and access

  • The Goat Pens offers open land for hiking and exploring, making it a great base for horseback riding adventures.
  • Tres Papalotes provides a tranquil setting with picnic tables and access to trails, ideal for equestrian activities.
  • Stillwell Store & RV Park is well-reviewed for its proximity to Big Bend, allowing easy access to various riding trails in the park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Big Bend National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Big Bend National Park is Rio Grande Village RV Campground — Big Bend National Park with a 3.9-star rating from 19 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Big Bend National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Big Bend National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.