Chisos Basin Group Campground
Chisos Basin Group Campground, situated high in the rugged Chisos Mountains, is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. It has seven group camping sites available for groups of nine to 20 people (size is site-dependent). At an altitude of 5,400 ft. (1646 m), the campground is surrounded on all sides by tall, rocky cliffs and conveniently located near some of the park's most spectacular and popular trails. The Rio Grande is only a short drive away. Also found in the area is the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, the General Store and the Chisos Mountains Lodge, which houses the only restaurant in Big Bend National Park.
This is the group site. Looking for the main campground? Chisos Basin Campground, 62 sites, is next door.
More like this: reservable in Texas · tent only in Texas · pets allowed in Texas · group sites in Texas · dark sky in Texas
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 7 |
Site guide
7 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 120 | Paved | 20 / 4 | ||
| M | Back-in | 26 | Paved | 10 / 4 | |
| N | 67 | Paved | 14 / 4 | ||
| O | Pull-through | 97 | Paved | 14 / 4 | |
| P | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | 20 / 4 |
| Q | 75 | Paved | Partial | 20 / 4 | |
| R | 50 | Paved | Partial | 20 / 4 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Entrance Fee. Big Bend charges an entrance fee separate from the camping fee. You may pay the fee upon arrival or purchase in advance. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g. annual, senior, military, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). |
| Dark sky | Inside Big Bend National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
- The group campground is located approximately 1/4 mile (.4 km) away from the main Chisos Basin Campground. Each site comes with a picnic table, charcoal grill and bear-proof food storage container and some sites come with picnic shelters for shade. All campsites are within easy walking distance to drinking water and toilets. No RVs, trailers, or generators are allowed.
- Group Site "O" allows for ONE smaller (up to 20 feet/6 m) recreational vehicle (camper van, pickup camper, or small RV) to camp adjacent to the tent area as part of the larger group. All other sites are exclusively walk-in, tents only.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate 10, take highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and then on to Marathon. From Marathon, go 40 miles south on Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight 26 miles (42 km) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right and drive for three miles (1 km).
| Nearest town | Big Bend National Park, Texas |
| Coordinates | 29.2750° N, 103.3042° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tranquility in Chisos Basin Campground | Everything You Need to Know in 5 Mins
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Luna JacalBuilding · Big Bend National Park · 14.5 mi
Natural features
The national park is named for a curve in the Rio Grande called the "big bend." For 1,250 miles (2012 km), the river is an International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. The campground lies at the base of several sloping cliffs amidst montane shrubland; desert plants such as Arizona cyprus and mesquite trees fill the landscape. Maple, aspen, pinyon and ponderosa pines grow at higher elevations just above the campground. Though it is lower than the surrounding cliffs, the Chisos Basin is at a higher elevation than other campgrounds within the park. Summer temperatures here are cool, yet warmer than other areas in fall and winter due to the cold air sinking into lower regions. The Chisos Mountains are a popular nesting site for migratory birds. The mountains provide the only nesting ground in the United States for the Colima Warbler, which arrives in mid-April and departs for its wintering grounds in southwestern Mexico by mid-September.
Recreation
This campground is a hub for hikers. Some of the park's most spectacular and popular Day Hike trails are nearby, including the Lost Mine Trail, the Window Trail, the South Rim Trail and the Pinnacles Trail, with its access to the park's highest point, Emory Peak (elevation 7,825 ft./2385 m). Campers can find the trailheads for most of these trails in the main Chisos Basin area a mile or so further down the Basin road from the campground. Access to the river is approximately 30 miles (48 km) away, where visitors can canoe, kayak and fish.
Nearby
Big Bend National Park encompasses 801,000 acres (324,153 ha) and the Chisos Basin area is centrally located. This allows visitors an excellent opportunity to explore all areas of the park in a relatively short drive. Big Bend offers excellent hiking trails, miles of rugged dirt roads, and endless possibilities for sightseeing.
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 Chisos Basin Group Campground?
Sites at Chisos Basin Group Campground 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 Chisos Basin Group Campground?
Entrance Fee. Big Bend charges an entrance fee separate from the camping fee. You may pay the fee upon arrival or purchase in advance.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Chisos Basin Group Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Chisos Basin Group Campground have?
7 sites, including 7 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chisos Basin Group Campground?
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 Chisos Basin Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chisos Basin Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Chisos Basin Group Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Chisos Basin Group Campground sits inside Big Bend National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Chisos Basin Group Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Chisos Basin Group Campground?
This campground is a hub for hikers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Chisos Basin Group Campground?
Big Bend National Park, Texas. Big Bend National Park encompasses 801,000 acres (324,153 ha) and the Chisos Basin area is centrally located.
Source: Getting there
What if Chisos Basin Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Chisos Basin Campground (under 0.1 mi), Big Bend Backcountry Camping (7 mi), and Cottonwood (16.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Chisos Basin Group Campground in?
Chisos Basin Group Campground is a Big Bend National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Big Bend National Park