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Best Tent Camping near Redford, TX

157 Reviews

Big Bend Ranch State Park surrounding Redford, Texas offers diverse primitive tent camping opportunities along the Rio Grande River corridor. Fresno Vista, located directly in Redford, provides tent-only camping with excellent views and significant distance between sites for privacy. River District Arenosa in nearby Terlingua features tent campsites adjacent to the Rio Grande with spectacular night sky viewing. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, Rancherias Spring on the Rancherias Loop Trail offers a unique experience with a cottonwood forest grove in the high desert environment, approximately 7 miles from the West trailhead entrance.

Many tent campgrounds in this region require high-clearance vehicles for access, particularly after rain events. Fresno Vista specifically requires 4x4 capability, with campers reporting they "barely got away with being in a 2WD SUV." Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with some featuring shelters over tables to provide shade in the desert environment. Tent pads vary significantly, from flat designated areas to rocky surfaces where campers report using rocks instead of stakes to secure tents. Backcountry permits are required for many sites and must be obtained at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center between 8am and 4pm. Most primitive tent sites lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies.

The tent camping experience in this region is defined by exceptional solitude and dramatic landscapes. According to reviews, Fresno Vista provides "quite a bit of solitude" with sites positioned far from neighbors, though campers should prepare for potentially windy conditions. At River District Arenosa, one camper noted that "night sky views are spectacular and the daytime views are just as beautiful." Walk-in tent sites at Rancherias Spring offer unique terrain features including a high desert mesa and cottonwood grove. Wildlife encounters are common, with coyotes frequently heard and sometimes seen near campsites. The region's remoteness creates ideal conditions for stargazing, with minimal light pollution throughout the area.

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Best Tent Sites Near Redford, Texas (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Redford, TX

19 Photos of 20 Redford Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Redford, TX

157 Reviews of 20 Redford Campgrounds

  • Mario D.
    May. 31, 2022

    Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park

    Good Campground in the wrong place for summer, all other times OK

    Cottonwood Campground is a quiet oasis in the western corner of Big Bend National Park. Reservations are required. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 22-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 21 individual sites. 

    This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted. 

    • Cell Phone Reception, No 

    • Internet Connectivity, No 

    • Trash/Recycling Collection. Yes, Year-Round 

    • Food Storage Lockers, Yes, Year-Round 

    • Laundry, No Dump Station, No 

    • Potable Water, Yes on site

    The campground is one of the lower places in elevation, 2200 feet in the national park, it is hot in sprint and summer, over 100F at summer afternoons. Not recommended from May to September, use instead Chisos Basin Campground(5,400 feet) where the temperature is lower 15 to 20 degrees than any campground near the Rio Grande

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2019

    Seep Spring on the Rancherias Loop — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Seep Spring on the Rancherias Loop

    Seep Spring is a dispersed primitive campsite on the Rancherias Loop Trail. 

    The main attraction of this site is that it is relatively close to the trailhead entrance. Also, camping in the river wash on soft sand with high bluffs surrounding us was a fun experience. On route to this site you will pass through desert brush, see a variety of high mountain flora and weave your way through ocotillo forest. 

    There are no facilities nor amenities at this campsite. Leave No Trace principles should apply. Purchase gas and supplies in Fort Stockton, Alpine or Terlingua before entering the park because there are no supplies within the park. Prior to visiting this site it is required that you check in to the Barton Warnock Visitor Center from 8am to 4pm and secure a backcountry permit. Backcountry sites are$10 per night with a limit of 6 people. Sites must be at least 1/4 mile from any other existing campsite; at least 300 feet from water sources and prehistoric or historic cultural sites; at least 3/4 mile from trailheads or roads. 

    At the trailhead and once you enter the trail, there is no cell phone signal. This is a remote area of the park which has few visitors, so take appropriate safety precautions for self-rescue if needed. This site is about 4 miles from the East trailhead entrance for the Rancherias Loop Trail. Along the trail you will cross over mountains, valleys and river washes. During our trip there had not been rain and there was a forecast of zero rain. We elected to set up camp and sleep in the river wash on the sand. This is not advisable if there is rain or a forecast of rain because this area could flash flood. 

    The main attraction of this site is that it is relatively close to the trailhead entrance. Also, camping in the river wash on soft sand with high bluffs surrounding us was a fun experience. On route to this site you will pass through desert brush, see a variety of high mountain flora and weave your way through ocotillo forest.

  • Matt T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 14, 2021

    Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    The Other Side Of Nowhere

    If you are looking to get out into the backcountry of Big Bend and truly experience it’s vast remoteness & beauty, then this is one of the best places to do just that. The hiking is incredible & the wildlife is amazing, back bears, mountain lions, javelinas, coyotes, big horn sheep, rattle snakes, are just some of the wildlife you might encounter. Remember to follow the “ leave no trace” principle when visiting. We only have one world, let’s keep it beautiful.

  • Kristin K.
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Rancho Topanga

    Not Many Measure Up

    We stayed at Rancho Topanga for 4 nights during our unforgettable trip to Big Bend National Park in December 2019. The campground was thoughtfully designed and is lovingly maintained. The sites are very spaced out with gorgeous views. Each site has potable water and a fire pit. The individual showers have hot water and the dishwashing stations at the bathhouse were something I wish more campgrounds had! We saw wildlife and amazing sunsets during our visit. No electricity and primarily tents only. We can’t wait to visit again!

  • N
    Apr. 29, 2020

    Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Isolated tucked away in the foothills

    Great site tucked in-between foothills.  Nice sized space with picnic table and fire pit.  Plenty of room for multiple tents and additional vehicles.  Could bring small camper but one washout in road could prove challenging unless have short tongue and higher clearance.  Old windmill and tank make for nice scenery.  No bear box.  About 20-30 mnts from ranger station on dirt and bumpy roads.  Nice solitude and very peaceful!

  • Doug W.
    Jan. 10, 2022

    Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park

    Off the beaten path and away from everything

    We loved it. No hookups, no generators. Just quiet. Zero cell service so don't even think about it. We camped there in the new year. Did a bunch of hiking and bird watching.

    Not big rig friendly. Smaller trailers, tents and van life.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2019

    Casa Reza Farmhouse and Creek on the Rancherias Loop Primitive Camping — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Casa Reza Farmhouse and Creek on the Rancherias Loop

    Casa Reza Farmhouse is a dispersed primitive campsite on the Rancherias Loop Trail. 

    The main attraction of this site is the ability to see a bit of pioneer history at the farmhouse. Also, having a perennial water source in this remote area is a nice luxury. You’ll also scamper over rock formations, through desert brush and around a myriad of desert flora. 

    There are no facilities nor amenities at this campsite. Leave No Trace principles should apply. Purchase gas and supplies in Fort Stockton, Alpine or Terlingua before entering the park because there are no supplies within the park. Prior to visiting this site it is required that you check in to the Barton Warnock Visitor Center from 8am to 4pm and secure a backcountry permit. Sites must be at least 1/4 mile from any other existing campsite; at least 300 feet from water sources and prehistoric or historic cultural sites; at least 3/4 mile from trailheads or roads. 

    At the trailhead and once you enter the trail, there is no cell phone signal. This is a remote area of the park which has few visitors, so take appropriate safety precautions for self-rescue if needed. This site is about 7 miles from the East trailhead entrance of the Rancherias Loop Trail. It is recommended and encouraged to not camp at the farmhouse site, but rather collect any needed water from the spring and walk further down the trail to camp. Reportedly this spring is a perennial water source. When we visited the water was freely running and we were able to collect and filter water easily. 

    The main attraction of this site is the ability to see a bit of pioneer history at the farmhouse. Also, having a perennial water source in this remote area is a nice luxury. You’ll also scamper over rock formations, through desert brush and around a myriad of desert flora.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2019

    Rancherias Spring on the Rancherias Loop — Big Bend Ranch State Park

    Rancherias Spring Campsite on the Rancherias Loop

    Rancherias Spring is a dispersed primitive campsite on the Rancherias Loop Trail. 

    The main attraction of this site is the unique opportunity to walk through a cottonwood forest grove in the high mountain desert. There is not much water in this region, but there is apparently sufficient water to sustain a grove of trees. You also have the opportunity to cross over a high desert mesa. 

    There are no facilities nor amenities at this campsite. Leave No Trace principles should apply. Purchase gas and supplies in Fort Stockton, Alpine or Terlingua before entering the park because there are no supplies within the park. Prior to visiting this site it is required that you check in to the Barton Warnock Visitor Center from 8am to 4pm and secure a backcountry permit. Sites must be at least 1/4 mile from any other existing campsite; at least 300 feet from water sources and prehistoric or historic cultural sites; at least 3/4 mile from trailheads or roads. 

    At the trailhead and once you enter the trail, there is no cell phone signal. This is a remote area of the park which has few visitors, so take appropriate safety precautions for self-rescue if needed. 

    This site is about 7 miles from the West trailhead entrance of the Rancherias Loop Trail. The spring itself was just a trickle when we visited. We were able to collect and filter water. Some in our group camped in the river wash. Others and I elected to camp up the hill on the rock surface. The surface on the hill was almost all rock, so instead of tent spikes I used large rocks to secure down my tent. 

    The main attraction of this site is the unique opportunity to walk through a cottonwood forest grove in the high mountain desert. There is not much water in this region, but there is apparently sufficient water to sustain a grove of trees. You also have the opportunity to cross over a high desert mesa.

  • Aliza N.
    Jan. 15, 2023

    Cottonwood Campground — Big Bend National Park

    Basic but friendly staff and close to Santa Elena

    Cottonwood Campground is nothing very special, in our opinions but served it’s purpose! It’s very close to Santa Elena and a great spot as a home base for exploring the west side of Big Bend. The campground is right off Ross Maxwell road and a few miles before you reach Santa Elena. The sites are in a long loop. They had just created several more sites when we were there - 29 in total I believe. Pit toilets, potable water and trash are available, as well as a bear box in every site. There was a couple serving as camp host that were very kind and happy to lend advice. Campground was quiet and calm when we were here in January. A gentleman next to us set up a big telescope at night and let everyone gaze at Jupiter and the moon and such. Was really lovely!

Guide to Redford

Tent camping near Redford, Texas, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of Big Bend Ranch State Park. With a variety of well-reviewed spots, campers can enjoy the beauty of the desert while experiencing the tranquility of nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Rincon 1 — Big Bend Ranch State Park, you'll find a shaded area perfect for relaxing after a day of exploration, although be prepared to bring your own firewood.
  • The River District Arenosa features picnic tables and fire rings, making it an ideal spot for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • Chorro Vista offers a remote camping experience with the option to bring pets, ensuring your furry friends can join in on the adventure.

Local activities for adventurous campers

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $20

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Redford, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Redford, TX is River District Arenosa — Big Bend Ranch State Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Redford, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Redford, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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