Established Camping
Ernst Tinaja — Big Bend National Park
About
National Park Service
Big Bend National Park
The Ernst Tinaja primitive roadside campsite (ET-1) can accommodate up to two vehicles, 10 people, no horses.
Primitive sites offer nice views, solitude, and a small flat gravel space to set up camp next to your vehicle. No shade, toilets, or other amenities are provided. The use of generators is prohibited in the backcountry.
Given the trails close proximity to this campsite, do not leave valuables unattended for long periods of time. Expect frequent passing vehicles.
Please leave no trace - pack in pack out.
Fee Info
Fee info - the fee is for a back country permit that's required to camp here.
Reservation Info
The use of generators is prohibited in the back country.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
Secluded with hiking traffic
This is an awesome site that is somewhat excluded. You are going to experience some traffic due to this campsite is also at the trailhead for the Tinajas. According to a park ranger, Old Ore Rd is the 2nd roughest road in the park. It requires a high clearance 4x4. We aired down our tires and averaged about 9 miles per hour. It took us about an hour to drive the 4 miles starting from the South driving North. There is no shade at this site.
- (11) View All
Long drive, but worth it.
So we underestimated the time driving down Old Ore Road from the north end takes to this campground. It took us four hours.
Old Ore Road definitely requires 4x4, and if you’re starting from the north side, plan ahead a few hours to get here.
It would be faster to take the main paved road to the south side of Old Ore, then travel north up it until you reach the campsite.
The campsite is very secluded with fantastic views.
This campsite is part of the attraction by the same name that people drive past your campsite to see, though.
- (9) View All
Ernst Tinaja
Good primitive site with cover to the north and close to the tinaja trailhead. Lots of choices for tent placement in the sandy floor. One star knocked off because if you stay later than 9am you will start to see lots of traffic going to the tinaja trailhead. Site is directly next to the trailhead road. We didn't see anybody until morning came.
Location
Ernst Tinaja — Big Bend National Park is located in Texas
Directions
The Old Ore Road is rough and rocky. It is maintained for high clearance vehicles only. Following rains and heavy use, the road becomes extremely rutted and requires 4-wheel drive. Past the Ernst Tinaja campsite, the Old Ore Road becomes roughter. Always ask a park ranger for current road conditions. Ernst Tinaja 1 (ET-1) is located near the southern end of Old Ore Road, 4.5 miles north of the paved road. A short, 0.2 mile access road leads to ET-1. A short distance beyond the site is the trailhead to Ernst Tinaja, an interesting geologic feature.
Coordinates
29.25748772 N
103.009789 W