Chisos Basin Group Campground (Big Bend, TX)

Big Bend National Park

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.

• 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.

Notifications and Alerts

• This is the season when bears begin actively foraging to put on weight for the 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: 

  -Group together and pick up small children.

  -Stand tall, appear large, wave arms or jacket.

  -Scare the bear away by shouting and throwing small sticks or rocks.

  -Fight back aggressively if the bear attacks.

Need to Know

• A camper arriving the day AFTER the reservation begins is considered a No Show. A No Show may result in a cancellation of your reservation. Contact the park at 432-477-2251 if you are late or will not be arriving until the day after your reservation starts.

• Vehicle Restrictions. The road to the campground is steep and winding with sharp hairpin turns. The vehicle restriction for the road and campground is 24 feet (7 m) for motor homes and 20 feet (5.8 m) for travel trailers. No RV parking is available at the group campground, with the exception of site O.

• Tents Only. The group campground is tent-only; no RVs or trailers allowed. That includes rooftop tents and camper vans. One exception is Group Site "O" which allows for ONE small (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 tent camping only.

• Tent Size. Tents larger than 8 ft. by 8 ft. (2.4 x2.4 m) are not recommended because of site layout. Sites P, Q, and R can accommodate larger tents if necessary

• No Hookups. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups. 

• Organized Groups. All organized groups in Big Bend require a Special Use Permit. Visit the park website for additional information. Group maximums are 50 people in the park at one time per group. 

• Generators Prohibited. Generator use is prohibited in the group campground area. 

• Group Picnic Shelters. Sites P, Q and R have picnic shelters

• Food Lockers/Bears. Bears frequent the area. All food must be kept in the food storage locker at each campsite or in a hard-sided vehicle. Trash must be disposed of in the animal-proof dumpsters provided. Do not leave coolers or food boxes unattended at any time.

• Are you still here? Please collapse your tent during the day if you are not in the campsite. Bears have been known to investigate and damage standing tents.

• Campfires. No wood or ground fires allowed at any time. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site.

• Pets. Pets are allowed in each campsite, although they must be leashed and restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails or in buildings.

• Minimum & Maximum Occupancy. Group campsites require a MINIMUM of nine people. The park will not honor reservations with fewer people. Maximum group size varies by campsite from 10 to 20 people.

• Hammocks. Hammocks are only allowed when not affixed to natural features. Do not hang hammocks on trees. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

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.

Contact Information

Default

PO BOX 129 BIG BEND NAT. PARK TX 79834

Physical

Park Headquarters 1 Panther Junction Big Bend National Park TX 79834

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 432-477-1121

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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). Turn left at the Basin sign and go seven miles (2.1 km) before making a right into the campground road.

Available Campsites

• Site P, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site Q, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site L, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site N, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site M, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site R, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site O, Loop Group Sites L-R, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

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