Big Bend Backcountry Camping
Big Bend's vast undeveloped areas provide excellent opportunities for backcountry experiences if you seek solitude, wilderness, and adventure! The backcountry sites listed here are primitive backcountry road campsites and primitive backpacking sites in the Chisos Mountains. All are designated sites located in remote locations. Campers must be self-sufficient. These are primitive sites and do not offer water, electricity, toilet access, or any amenities. Primitive Chisos campsites are BACKPACK-ONLY campsites with NO vehicle access. Campsites are from 1-6 miles (1.6 to 10 km) from the trailhead.
More like this: reservable in Texas · pets allowed in Texas · dark sky in Texas
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Hike-in | 38 |
| Standard, no hookups | 20 |
| Host/management | 54 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
58 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-Bar 1 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | |||
| K-Bar 2 | Standard | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | |||
| Paint Gap 1 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 4 / 1 | |||
| Paint Gap 2 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | |||
| Paint Gap 3 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | ||
| Hannold Draw | Standard | Gravel | 20 / 4 | No | |||
| Twisted Shoe | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 4 / 1 | |||
| Pine Canyon 1 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | |||
| Pine Canyon 2 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | |||
| Pine Canyon 3 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 4 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Camping Use Fee: $10 per night |
| Dark sky | Inside Big Bend National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
- These are primitive campsites, and require extra trip planning. Please take the time to plan and carefully prepare your itinerary.
- Backpacking in Big Bend offers primitive designated backpacking campsites located along the extensive Chisos Mountains Trails system.
- Primitive Roadside Campsites: offer camping with your vehicle in designated campsites along rugged backcountry dirt roads.
- Roadside campsites are intended for high clearance vehicles only. Trailers and passenger vehicles will not be able to access most of these campsites. High clearance vehicles are defined as an SUV or truck, with at least 15 inch (38 cm) tire rims AND at least 8 inches (20 cm) of ground clearance, as measured from the lowest point of the vehicle (frame, suspension, body, differential).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Big Bend National Park is located in West Texas, a considerable distance from cities and transportation hubs. While the isolation of Big Bend is a draw for many visitors, it also means you must be well prepared for and carefully plan your trip. There is no public transportation to or within Big Bend National Park.
| Nearest town | Big Bend National Park, Texas |
| Coordinates | 29.3278° N, 103.2060° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- Changes/Modifications
- If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
- There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation.
- If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.
- Cancellations
- Customers may cancel their reservation prior to day of arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 cancellation fee will be withheld from any refund due back the customer. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below).
- Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window
- A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will have a $10.00 cancellation fee withheld from their refund AND will forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Backpacking 30 miles on Outer Mountain Loop | Big Bend National Park 4-Day Adventure
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
From an elevation of less than 1,800 feet (550 m) along the Rio Grande to nearly 8,000 feet (2438 m) in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forested mountains, and an ever-changing river. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States
Recreation
Splendid Isolation! Big Bend National Park is beloved as one of the few large public land areas in Texas. Major activities include camping, backpacking, hiking, birdwatching, river trips, enjoying the spring bloom, and adventuring along backcountry roads. The spring months of March and April are the busiest, as well as the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays, although the park is open and visited year round.
Guidebooks for Big Bend National Park and Texas
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Sites at Big Bend Backcountry Camping are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Camping Use Fee: $10 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Customers may cancel their reservation prior to day of arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 cancellation fee will be withheld from any refund due back the customer.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Big Bend Backcountry Camping have?
112 sites, including 38 hike-in sites and 20 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Bend Backcountry Camping. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Bend Backcountry Camping good for stargazing?
Yes. Big Bend Backcountry Camping sits inside Big Bend National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Splendid Isolation! The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Source: Getting there
What if Big Bend Backcountry Camping is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Chisos Basin Group Campground (7 mi), Chisos Basin Campground (7 mi), and Rio Grande Village (18.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Big Bend Backcountry Camping in?
Big Bend Backcountry Camping is a Big Bend National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Big Bend National Park