Campgrounds of Big Bend
There are three developed campgrounds within Big Bend National Park. They are at greatly varying elevations, and that has a large effect on what time of year they are busy and popular. Details are in each listing below.
Chisos Basin Campground
Size & Cost: 56 sites, $16 per site
Open: All Year
Reservations: Online at recreation.gov
Location: Near the end of the six mile narrow and winding road to Chisos Basin
Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, dump station
Demand: High. This campground is at higher elevation than most of the park and therefore cooler. It can be tolerable even in summer. It is often full during peak visitation. Reservations are suggested.
Cottonwood Campground
Size & Cost: 22 sites, $16 per site
Open: All Year
Reservations: Online at recreation.gov
Location: Off of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive near Castolon
Amenities: Running water, vault toilets, grills and picnic tables
Demand: High. This campground has a lot of shade, but is at a relatively low elevation, so it can be quite hot in the summer. During peak winter season it often fills.
Rio Grande Village Campground
Size & Cost: 93 sites, $16 per site
Open: All Year
Reservations: Online at recreation.gov
Location: At the end of the eastern park road in Rio Grande Village
Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, dump station, showers and campstore nearby
Demand: High. This campground is the primary camping area in the park, and it is almost always full during peak visitation. It is an extremely hot area during the summer.
