Big Bend Backcountry Camping

Big Bend National Park

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. Visit the Big Bend National Park backcountry Use page to learn about proper planning and trip preparation for this remote area.

Backcountry regulations are strictly enforced.

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 from the trailhead. Maximum group size is 15 people. Parking for overnight backpackers is located in the large amphitheater lot adjacent to the Chisos Basin Campground.
Most primitive roadside campsites require a high clearance vehicle, and 4-wheel drive is highly encouraged. Road conditions can change quickly. High clearance vehicles are defined as a SUV or truck with at least 15 inch tire rims AND at least 8 inches of ground clearance from the lowest point of the frame, body, or suspension.

These are primitive campsites, and require extra trip planning. Please take the time to plan and carefully prepare your itinerary.

Backpacking Campsites: Primitive designated backpacking campsites located along the extensive Chisos Mountains Trails system .
Primitive Roadside Campsites: Primitive 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 a SUV or truck, with at least 15 inch tire rims, and at least 8 inches of ground clearance, as measured from the lowest point of the vehicle (frame, suspension, body, differential).

Notifications and Alerts

Fall is the season where bears become very focused on finding food to gain fat storage to survive winter. Visitors have recently reported black bears entering Chisos Mountains campsites while visitors were present. Please remember the following when camping in bear country:
- Keep a clean camp.
- Store food, cooking equipment, and scented items in bear boxes when not in use.
- Do not leave water out unattended.
- Collapse your tent during the day if you are not in the campsite.
- If a bear approaches you:

Need to Know

If you are in a standard passenger vehicle (not an SUV or truck), your option of roadside sites is very limited. It is YOUR responsibility to carefully review all the detailed information of each campsite and book accordingly. The park will not re-book your campsite or provide a refund if your vehicle can not access these remote campsites. Your safety is YOUR responsibility.
THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL OR RECEIPT IS NOT YOUR PERMIT. YOU MUST PRINT YOUR PERMIT PRIOR TO BEGINNING YOUR TRIP (within 2 weeks of arrival).
- To print your permit no more than 14 days prior to your arrival, click on "Reservation Details" on your confirmation email.
- Click on "Print Permit". Confirm that you would like to print.
- After printing, you will not be able to modify your permit unless it's an emergency.
Each campsite has different maximum limits of number of people, number of tents, number and size of vehicles. Read the detailed information of each campsite site very carefully prior to booking. If you exceed the capacity of the site (in any of the categories), you are subject to a fine.
The permit holder must be present, and have a printed copy or PDF available of your finalized backcountry permit to camp in these campsites. Your vehicle information must match the permit.
- No transfer of camping permits is allowed. Permit holder must be present.
- Be prepared to show your permit to Park Rangers.
BIG BEND BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING REGULATIONS

Campers are required to follow ALL Big Bend National Park backcountry regulations. YOU and your group are responsible for protecting YOUR National Park. Regulations are strictly enforced:
- GROUNDFIRES AND WOODFIRES ARE PROHIBITED. Use containerized fuel only in the backcountry. Charcoal grills are allowed only in developed campgrounds or primitive roadside campsites. Pack out all cold charcoal briquets and ash.
- CONTAIN YOUR TRASH AND PACK IT OUT. Animals are attracted to food, trash and other scents. Use bearproof storage lockers when you are away from your campsite and pack out all trash including toilet paper and cigarette butts.
- USE OR DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS IS PROHIBITED. Possession of other weapons, traps, or explosives is prohibited.
- CAMP ONLY WITHIN YOUR DESIGNATED SITE. Prevent resource damage by camping within the area outlined by rocks, logs, or brush.
- GENERATOR USE IS PROHIBITED IN ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES. Natural quiet is a protected resource; help preserve a quiet wilderness experience.
- NO PETS ON TRAILS OR IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. Pets may harm or be harmed by wildlife and attract predators. Pets can go only where vehicles are allowed. Read more about bringing your pet to Big Bend .
- BURY HUMAN WASTE AT LEAST 6 INCHES DEEP. PACK OUT TOILET PAPER. Carry a digging trowel. Holes must be 1/4 mile from any water source and well away from camp. Overnight backpackers at the South Rim (SR) and East Rim (ER) campsites are now required to pack out human waste using a waste disposal kit! Burying of waste is prohibited on the rim.
- DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE. Feeding wildlife is illegal. Keep food, ice chests, and cookgear in a hard-sided vehicle or food storage locker where provided. Read more about backcountry food storage .
- COLLECTING OR DISTURBING ANY NATURAL OR HISTORICAL FEATURE OR OBJECT IS PROHIBITED.
- CONTAMINATING NATURAL WATER SOURCES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS IS PROHIBITED. Soaps, oils, skin lotions, and food residues from bathing or dishwashing can seriously impact water quality.
- NO HAMMOCKS. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.
- MOTORIZED VEHICLES & BICYCLES ARE PERMITTED ONLY ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC ROADS. Off-road vehicle travel causes tremendous damage to desert environments. Only street legal vehicles are allowed on park roads.
- CHECK OUT IS 12 NOON IN ALL SITES. Please be sure to leave your campsite nicer than you found it and depart by 12 noon.
Backpacking Group Size Limit

An organized group or individual party may not exceed a 15 person limit.

Groups of of 5 to 15 may need to split into smaller groups but groups that split up must not exceed the total of 15 people per night for any one or group of sites in the Chisos backpacking zone.
Be safe in the backcountry. Knowledge and preparation can increase your comfort level and reduce your chances of injury. Persons camping at primitive campsites do so at their own risk.
If you have booked a Hike-in campsite in the Chisos Mountains, overnight parking is at the Chisos Basin Amphitheater adjacent to the campground. Do NOT park overnight in the main Chisos Lodge parking lot.
Your camping reservation does not cover the park entrance fees. $30 per single vehicle, valid for 7 days, shall be paid upon entrance to the park.
Please collapse your tent during the day if you are not in the campsite. Bears have been known to investigate standing tents and, in some instances, causing damage to the tents.

Natural Features

From an elevation of less than 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to nearly 8,000 feet 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

Nearby Attractions

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.

Contact Information

PO BOX 129 BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK TEXAS 79834

Physical Address

1 Panther Junction Big Bend National Park TX 79834

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 432-477-1158

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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 your trip must be well prepared and carefully planned. There is no public transportation to, or in Big Bend National Park.

Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles east to park headquarters) or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles south to park headquarters).

Distances between towns and services are considerable. Be sure you have plenty of gas, oil, food, and water for your trip. The park has four camp stores, but supply and selection can be limited. There are also small stores in the communities outside the park. The last major shopping areas (grocery and hardware stores) are Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Del Rio.

Each backcountry campsite is in a remote area of the park. Check the site listing for your reservation for detailed directions on how to get to that specific site.
If you are staying in a backpacking site, park in the Chisos Basin amphitheater parking area, located near the Chisos Basin campground.

Directions to Big Bend National Park

Available Campsites

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