Camper submitted image from Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park - 4
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park - 5
Buildings

Established Camping

Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park

About

National Park Service

Big Bend National Park

Overview

The Rio Grande Village Group Campground sits on the banks of the Rio Grande, the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. The four group campsites are great options for groups of nine people or more and is one of the most popular campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. It is located close to Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs, and acts as a launch point for visitors accessing the river or the endless miles of backcountry roads. Rio Grande Village has an outstanding view of the Sierra del Carmen Mountains, located in Mexico to the east, which light up with hues of red and orange during sunset.

Recreation

The river offers ample opportunities to explore its shores and water. The river put-in allows easy access to canoeing and kayaking on the river. Birders flock to the river banks to spot such rare and unique species often found only in Big Bend. Hiking trails are also found nearby the campground and many backcountry roads are located near the campground.

Facilities

The group campsites are tent-only; RVs and trailers are not allowed. There are no hook-ups available in the group sites and generators are prohibited. Each site is provided with a picnic table, charcoal grill and bear-proof food storage locker. All four group sites are within easy walking distance to water spigots and restrooms. Showers and laundry facilities can also be found close by at the Rio Grande Village Store.

Natural Features

The mountain views, proximity to the river and shade from the surrounding cottonwood trees make Rio Grande Village Campground irresistible to visitors. This facility is at an elevation of 1,850 ft. Because cold air tends to sink into lower valleys during the peak seasons of fall and winter, temperatures are cooler here than in other parts of the park during these times. However, temperatures from March to September can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park is located in Texas

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Interstate 10, take State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 miles south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 miles to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn left and proceed for 20 miles to the Rio Grande Village area. At the stop sign, turn right, then veer right for the group campground.

Address

P.O. Box 129
Big bend nat. park, TX 79834

Coordinates

29.180793 N
102.957194 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

38%
50%
10%
10%
0%

4.0

out of 5

16 Reviews

Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 1, 2024

Too developed for me

This is a nice campground if you are in a class A or C and want all the conveniences. Paved sites, full hookups, showers, gift shop. On the east side of the park do it is a drive to get to many places. But Big Bend is very big. Everything is a drive. Reservations are required made through US.gov website.

Month of VisitMarch
Shana D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 30, 2023

Classic National Park camping

We had an amazing time camping at the Rio Grand Campground. Posting my review of the Primative campground here as it is not to be confused with the privately owned parking lot RV campground next to the store and laundry house. . I love the fact that we could access the Nature Trail from camp. Sunrise and sunset hikes to the top of the lookout were incredible! . The wildlife in camp was great! So many different birds! It was also fun to see the javelinas and the grazing cows. . The bathroom was relatively clean and there is a separate sink for washing dishes. No showers, flush toilets only. Showers can be purchased at the camp store. . We will definitely stay here again!

Site43
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Shana D., May 30, 2023
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Shana D., May 30, 2023
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Shana D., May 30, 2023
  • (17) View All
Tyler D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2023

The stars at night are big and bright

Six stars if we could. Not to be confused with the nearby private campground, which has full hookups and is much less interesting IMO.

We stayed on the southern edge of the campground and used Starlink with a pole for the internet we needed to keep our jobs. This would be possible at most sites, but some others in this outside ring had tall enough mesquite that you might have a bad time. Site was a little bit tight for our 27' trailer and full-size truck—we were definitely pushing the limits of what that part of the campground could accommodate.

It's the largest campground in the park, with a wonderful nature trail nearby. In a few minutes, you can walk from your campsite, through reeds, into the desert, and out to the Rio Grande. Birds abound. You'll see coyote and, if you're up late, javelina. 

We'll be coming back for sure, but also want to check out Cottonwood next time.

Site30
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Play button icon
Chip K.
Reviewed Feb. 21, 2023

Great Spot

Great campground to unplug and relax. Immaculately kept grounds, bathrooms by our spot (93) was very clean.

Site93
Month of VisitMarch
Erika P.
Reviewed May. 4, 2022

Amazing Getaway

Wow! This campground was great and SPACIOUS. We went camping here just around the time winter was starting and had a very nice experience with highs of 60 and lows of 40. There is plenty of wildlife that is heard at night (ie. Coyotes, donkeys, and raccoons). While we were there a coyote visited our campsite during the day. However it was great to have the security of a bear box to keep our food and other belongings safe. Would definitely come back here.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Erika P., May 4, 2022
  • Play button icon
  • Play button icon
  • (8) View All
B
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2022

Too Windy

We reserved two nights in the NPS no hookup campground. Large sites. Ours #1 turned out to be in the sun-little shade. Great nature trail for sunset/sunrise. No host or visible staffing. The night was so windy we couldn’t sleep. Also, folks drove in all night long. We cut our stay after that night. WiFi is only available at the store which is a walk when it’s over 100 degrees! Store has showers and laundry. It’s well stocked and prices are good!

SiteLoop 1 Site 1 near river.
Month of VisitMay
Norrie W.
Reviewed Mar. 3, 2022

Huge National Park

We had a wonderful stay at the RV Village. It is a paved RV parking area with full hookups including water and sewer. We felt very safe. We stayed for 5 days and still couldn't see it all. Great back country hikes and lots of off road trails that require a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle (We saw regular cars on the trails as well) and the roads are well graded at this time of year. There are so many places to bike as well. Kids will enjoy the fossil exhibit. The night sky was incredible.

Site18
Month of VisitMarch
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Norrie W., March 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Norrie W., March 3, 2022
  • (7) View All
Nancy B.
Reviewed Nov. 12, 2021

Rio Grande Village campground

We stayed in the campground that has no hookups. It’s really quiet after dark. The stars are amazing!!! They do have 2 sections…1 with generators allowed and 1 not. We are spaced far enough that you don’t seem to be sitting on top of each other. We were supposed to stay 10 days and would have to move 2 times but we cut our visit short and only moved once.

Month of VisitDecember
Rare E.
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2018

Rio Grande Village Star Gazing

Rio Grande Village Campground was awesome. They have bathrooms with showers, running water, flushable toilets. They also have potable water all around the campsite. Rio Grande Village Nature Trail is close by and its a short but sweet hike. Sunsets on that trial over the Rio Grande is amazing. Wildlife is abundant. All kinds of animals and birds. Beavers, cranes, horses in the horizon was very welcomed. You can see Mexico and Boquillas village from the top of a cliff off the Nature trail. So bring your camera! I really had a good time. The campground was well maintained and it can get a bit crowded but it’s all good. A Hot springs is near by and the Rio Grande Village store is very convenient and cheap. They even have wi-fi if for some reason you need to check your email or facebook. Overall great experience!

Missy G.
Reviewed Nov. 23, 2017

Last resort

We drove 8 hrs from Dallas to Big Bend hoping to stay at Chisos Basin but heard it was full so the park ranger suggested Rio Grande for the night. We got to the campground which has tons of sites but many of the sites that were covered and more private were taken. We actually had a rough experience to start with when we started to set up our tent only to find out someone paid for the site and left without leaving anything to show it was already taken. The majority of sites were wide open and felt like a state park rather than a comfortable campground. There were lots of trees and it got really dark but couldn't see the stars clearly through the trees. The campground felt like it was geared towards RVs rather than tent campers. The campground itself had a convenience store, laundry facility and the only showers in the whole Big Bend park. It's also nearby the Mexican border which we did visit. It was super convenient. $5/pp to get across the river and then you had options to get a ride in to town but it was only a quarter of a mile walk. BEST. TACOS. AND MARGS EVER!!!. You stop at a trailer to get a visa from border patrol once in Mexico and then stop at a self service terminal when you get back in to Texas. Anyway, back to the campground, I didn't like this campground but it was nice to know that there were plenty of sites available if needed.

Site33
Month of VisitDecember
K
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Big Bend Camping

This is a group site so you can only stay if you have a lot of people. We did a family mini-reunion and it was just ok, the heat just really got to all of us and the grounds were on the crowded side but the sites had ok shade. We could take showers there and it was nice. We had planned to use the hot springs but were already too hot. I bet visiting in spring or fall (or winter if it’s open) then it’d be nicer.

Brian V.
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2016

A pleasant place in a great park

Camping at the Rio Grande Village Campground is fairly nice. It has washrooms, water, and fire rings.

Some of the sites you can reserve in advance (they go quick though) and some are first come first serve. There is also a section where generators are not allowed, so people can better enjoy the nature.

There is a trail from the sites to the hot springs, which is nice.

The campground is rather far from most other trails in the park, but that gives you time to enjoy the views as you drive around.

  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Brian V., August 23, 2016
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Brian V., August 23, 2016
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Brian V., August 23, 2016
  • (4) View All
Darrin L.
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2016

Not what I expected

This area was hot and the bugs were pretty terrible. The Rio Grande itself was pretty underwhelming too. There are some cool trails around the area but it was hard to enjoy in the heat. The nights and mornings were pretty nice but around 11 AM it got pretty bad. There are some hot springs close by too if you feel like a hot soak on a hot day.

  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Darrin L., June 21, 2016
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Darrin L., June 21, 2016
  • Review photo of Rio Grande Village Group Campground — Big Bend National Park by Darrin L., June 21, 2016
  • (8) View All
k
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2016

Rio grande

`The hookup campground is right next to the store where you will find objects like that of a 7-11. It is really hot because it is mostly asphalt. The second time I went was at cottonwood campground which was perfect. There was shade and a restroom. the view is unbelievable especially at night.

Jon T.
Reviewed May. 4, 2016

Not bad...crowded but has showers!

Biggest campground in Big Bend NP with like 100 sites. Pros - store with gas, ice, beer & showers! Closest campground to Boquillas crossing. Great birding. Cons - campsites very close together; not much privacy, can get noisy. Hotter in the PM than higher elevation sites.

Not all of these sites are reservable in advance, & we did not have a problem getting a first-come, first-served site in early PM on a busy Saturday, but it does fill up. YMMV. Extra credit: Take the 3-mile hike along the river to Langford Hot Springs. Great moonlight walk/soak!