Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park, near Redford, Texas, is a rugged escape for those seeking solitude and adventure in the heart of the desert. This campground offers a unique experience with its clear, level sites that are perfect for pitching a tent or parking an RV, though you'll need a high-clearance vehicle to navigate the rocky roads leading in.

Visitors rave about the stunning views and the sense of isolation, making it an ideal spot for families and those looking to disconnect. As one camper noted, “The site was clear and pretty level,” which is a plus for setting up camp. You’ll find picnic tables and fire pits at your site, but don’t expect shade—this place is all about embracing the sun and the open sky.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the surrounding area is a hiker's paradise, with trails that lead to breathtaking scenery and opportunities to spot wildlife like coyotes and big horn sheep. Just remember to bring plenty of water and supplies, as amenities are limited. Campers have shared tales of exhilarating drives along the 4x4 trails, with one saying, “If you care about your paint, don’t drive these roads,” highlighting the adventurous spirit of this location.

Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Interior Primitive Sites offers a chance to immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Texas, making it a memorable destination for those ready to embrace the great outdoors.

Big Bend State Park interior sites are and along the River Rd., and allow a max. of 8 people per site. These sites are, Casa Ramon, Chorro Vista, Fresno Canyon, Fresno Vista, Guale 1 and 2, Javelin, La Monilla, La Mota 2, La Posta, Las Burras 1 and 3, Los Alamos, Los Cuates, Los Hermanos, Los Ojitos, Lower Alamito, McGuirks Tanks, Mexicano 1 and 2, Ojo Escondido, Papalote de la Sierra, Papalote Encino, Papalote Llano, Papalote Llano Nuevo, Papalote Nuevo, Papalote Rancho Viejo, Papalotito Colorado, Paso al Solitario, Pila Montoya 2 and 3, Pila de los Muchachos, Rancherias, Rincon 1 and 2, South Leyva, Tascate 1 and 2, Vista del Bofecillos, Vista del Chisos, and Yedra 1 and 2.

 Picnic table
 Fire ring
 You must have a permit to camp at primitive road and front country campsites, and in the backcountry zone. Day-use visitors must obtain a permit before entering the park. If you plan to use the 4X4 unmaintained road, pick up and sign an Acknowledgement of Use of Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles and Motorcycles.

 Get park information and permits for day use and camping daily, in person, at three locations:

 Sauceda Ranger Station - (432) 358-4444 - in the interior of Big Bend Ranch State Park
 Barton Warnock Visitor Center - (432) 424-3327 - in Lajitas, TX
 Fort Leaton State Historic Site - (432) 229-3613 - in Presidio, TX

 Place tents in designated areas only. Desert resources are fragile. You must haul out both your human waste and trash. You can buy a portable privy at all permit-issuing stations. Downed wood is critical to desert ecology. Gathering firewood is prohibited; you must bring your own. Charcoal cooking fires and containerized fuel stoves are allowed. Pack out your ashes or deposit them in the fire ring. The maximum stay per permit is 14 nights. Individual campsites have an eight-person and three-vehicle limit. Group campsites have a 12-person and five-vehicle limit. Equestrian staging campsites have a 24-person and 12-vehicle limit.

 Highway-access camping areas are along River Road (FM 170) at Arenosa, Lower and Upper Madera (Monilla) Canyon, and at Grassy Banks River Access. One campground is on the north side of FM 170 at the Contrabando West Trailhead; it does not have river access or a toilet facility. Self-composting toilets are at Colorado Canyon, Madera Canyon, Grassy Banks and the Contrabando Movie Set site.

 No other facilities, water/electrical hookups, or dump stations are available. Due to road conditions, motor homes and large recreational vehicles may not be able to enter backcountry park areas. The Visitor’s Center at Sauceda Headquarters has shower and restrooms..

Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

Redford, TX is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Redford campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Texas camping adventure.

Redford

The Best Camping Near Redford, Texas

Big Bend Ranch State Park was pretty neat. I stayed out there 4 days and 3 nights. The nights were nice and cool but the days were pretty hot! Maybe around 110? 113? There is hardly any shade out there so make sure to take a big hat a LOTS of water!! One place worth visiting in the park is the Salitario! It is pretty amazing!! But before you go and see it make sure to find a picture of an aerial view! It is pretty fascinating to see it from a different point of view. Wildlife- we only saw a snake, javelinas, and deer when first entering the park. At night coyotes surround you and it sounds creepy but yet so neat! This park is very peaceful and quiet. If you love the desert life, defiantly a great place to get away and take some time off!

Big Bend Ranch State Park

When I stayed at Big Bend Ranch, we stayed at the Escondido Pens camp site.  We went there for the Thanksgiving break.

There was no water on site, we had to bring it from the ranger station.  There also wasn't a lot of shade, despite the shade structure that was on site.  There was a composting toilet near by.

The roads were a bit rough, but we did it with our 15 passenger van.

We did a few hikes, which were quiet enjoyable.  

Over all, a nice park that is more primitive than most.

Primitive and Huge

Primitive campsites only $5 a night. You choose your own location and have to be at least a quarter mile from all other established sites. If you're looking for a good campground with amenities, this probably isn't for you. Pack in all you need and pack it back out. The views are awesome.

Cheap!

bring a 4x4 and head into the open country. Stare up into the beautiful night sky to view more stars than you've ever seen. Very hot in the summer. visit in the late fall or early spring.

Miles and miles of open space

We went in late May and only saw park staff until we left. Fresno Vista has one campsite, amazing views, and is (relatively) close to El Solitario (sp?), which is the geographic highlight of the park. Also, the park staff is mind blowingly friendly and helpful.

Fresno Vista Solitude

Big bend state park is the same terrain as the National except it is less landscaped. The campsites are rough ones that you have to hike to. No pets on those.

Rugged and fun 

BBRSP is quite possibly our favorite park in Texas. The draw is that there is far fewer foot traffic than BBNP - so much solitute. We camped at Fresno Vista and backpacked the Rincon Loop from the Barton Warnock Station... about 30 miles in 3days/2nights. Wifi at the Ranger stations and a shower at the Sauceda Station. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call the Ranger stations. Water near the Crawford Smith house.

BBRSP!

Plenty of campgrounds to choose from, some that need high clearance vehicles, but plenty that don't and that still offer great views. I came here for an overnight bike-pack trip and the base camp I stayed at had a picnic table, fire pit, and a nice cliff with the river running just behind it. There are also restrooms close by.

Back-country dispersed camping was everything you'd expect. No amenities and camping under the stars.

Be prepared for extreme heat, cold (at night), and unpredictable weather. I had all of this.

If you forget any gear there is a small town just outside of the park where you should be able to find whatever you need and also get your tourist needs in.

Rolling Skies, Mesas, and Rivers.

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.  

Incredible Desert Camping 

We camped at Yedra 1 for 2 nights during our trip to BBNP, Guadalupe Mountains NP, Carlsbad Caverns NP. This was our favorite spot of the whole trip and in my top 3 camp spots I've ever been to. Yes, the road to get here is rough but not bad. Sedans would be fine on the main road but side road to Yedra was tight with some large pits (our wrangler was fine). Each camp site has a nice fire pit and picnic table. As you can see Yedra 1 has spectacular views. I was worried about the proximity to Yedra 2 and papalitto but there are miles between each site and you truly feel alone. Yedra sits in between the main road and ranger station. The ranger station and showers are amazing! Staff is super friendly and helpful. Bathrooms were clean and water was hot.

One of my favorite spots I've ever camped, Yedra 1

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!

Isolated tucked away in the foothills

We camped at las Buras 3 it was quite the drive in and a very rough do not attempt if you do not have 4x4 and don’t mind getting a few new scratches. It takes a good 2.5hrs to get to the camp site. It is a beautiful spot and very very secluded. 

Amazing

We went out here for a four day primitive site stay in Javelin. If you love solitude this place is right up your alley. We chose Big Bend Ranch over the National park primarily for an adventure and the fact that they allow camp fires. It was a long drive out in the desert. The main road is well maintained. Once you hit the side roads to your campsite you need to pay attention to what vehicle they tell you, you need to get to the campsite. They aren’t fooling around😆we had two wheel drive high clearance and it is exactly that. One thing we didn’t realize was that the brush grows close into the road so if you go out to Javelin you will scratch your vehicle. But you are rewarded with the solitude and beauty of the area. In four days we saw no one. We heard wildlife (coyotes) but never saw anything. It had plenty of trails close by to explore if you want to stay put.  They require your own waste disposal. The site includes tent sites (they are rocky), picnic table and a fire pit/grill. 
Just a beautiful awesome place that I hope to return to soon. 

Awesome Primative Escape

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. 




Rio Grande Access

If you are looking to get out into the backcountry of Big Bend and truly experience it’s vast remoteness &amp; beauty, then this is one of the best places to do just that. The hiking is incredible &amp; 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.

The Other Side Of Nowhere  

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

Tascate

Great campsite! Site is located 1.3 miles off the main road. High clearance needed. Site has a table and near box. No cover for shade. Great views - definitely recommend this site.

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&amp; 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.

Chorro Vista

We decided to take our off-road pull along trailer down to Las Burras 3. Let me tell you. I have never underestimated a challenge so thoroughly. Once we got down to the campsite, the views were like a postcard, and we were the only ones there. It was awesome. Unless you have a vehicle that is 4x4 and high clearance, absolutely don’t try this. We manage many 4x4 roads in 2 wheel drive…not this one. If you choose to accept the challenge, don’t get too attached to your paint, drive slow, and most importantly, have fun. 

With a trailer?

You definitely need 4x4 to get there but the site itself is clear and pretty level. Very rocky, but no problem if you have a decent sleep mat. Great for kids because it is fairly clear, no sharp drop offs, has fire pit, and a picnic table. No shade cover. Watch for cactus. 

Photos of Interior Primitive Sites — Big Bend Ranch State Park

Real photos from real campers