Rio Grande Village (Big Bend)

Big Bend National Park

The Rio Grande Village Campground sits near the banks of the Rio Grande, the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. It is one of the most popular campgrounds in Big Bend National Park, especially for those traveling in large recreational vehicles. It is located close to Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs, and acts as a launch point for visitors accessing the river or the endless miles of backcountry roads. Rio Grande Village has an outstanding view of the Sierra del Carmen Mountains, located in Mexico to the east, which light up with hues of red and orange during sunset.

• This fairly large campground has 100 campsites that range in size from small tent sites to large pull-through sites that can fit a 40-ft. motor home. Please look carefully at the site descriptions, as low hanging branches persist in the campground and not all sites are suitable for tall or long RVs and trailers.   
• All campsites are reservable, some six months in advance, some two weeks in advance.  Site #s 14 (ADA), 20-25, 34, 61-65, 67-70, 72, 74-75, 87-100 are reservable only 2 weeks in advance. There is no first-come, first served camping. There are a few sites set aside for administrative use.  
• There are no hookups available in the facility but each site is provided with a picnic table, charcoal grill and bear-proof food storage locker. Some are also furnished with picnic shelters for shade. Generators are permitted in some sites during designated generator hours (8AM - 8PM).
• All campsites are within easy walking distance to water spigots, flush toilets, and utility sinks, and for those camping in motor homes and travel trailers, a fill/dump station is provided at the campground's entrance. Showers and laundry facilities can be found at the Rio Grande Village Store just outside the entrance to the campground.

Notifications and Alerts

• With summer high temperatures well exceeding 100F, camping at this location is not very popular from May - October. Summer operations will be limited. Sites 50 - 56, 75 - 85, will begin accepting reservation for May 1 - October 31 beginning on Feb 16th. Sites 87 - 93 will also be open, but only 2 weeks ahead of time. 

Need to Know

• Campers arriving the day AFTER their reservation starts may be considered a No Show, which would cancel all remaining nights. Contact the park at 432-477-2251 to notify if you will not be arriving until the next day.

• No wood or ground fires allowed at any time. Cooking may be done on a charcoal or propane grill.

• A maximum of two motor vehicles, one vehicle with a trailer, one motorhome with tow vehicle or four motorcycles allowed per campsite. A maximum of four tents OR one wheeled camping unit and one tent allowed per campsite.

• Many sites are in a NO generator zone. Read the site details carefully when selecting a site. Where allowed, generator hours are 8:00am - 8:00pm.

• There is only one authorized border crossing within Big Bend National Park, located at Boquillas Crossing, a five minute drive from this campground. Crossing the border in an unauthorized location is illegal.
• Grassy areas within the campground are subject to flooding due to flood irrigation.
• There are no electricity, water or sewer hookups at this facility. There is a dump/fill station at the campground entrance.

• If you leave your site during the day, please leave something at the site so we know you are not checking out early. A tent, camp chair, stove, book, etc. Something of little value but that indicates you plan to return. 

• 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.
• Javelinas, bobcats and bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers or in a hard-sided vehicle; trash must be disposed of in the animal-proof dumpsters provided; coolers or food boxes may not be unattended at any time.

• High winds are prevalent in this campground! Stake down your belongings and keep a tidy campsite.

• 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.

• 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.

• There are no showers at this campground. The only showers in the park are coin-operated at the Rio Grande Village camp store (5-15 minute walk). 

Natural Features

The mountain views, proximity to the river and shade from the surrounding cottonwood trees make Rio Grande Village Campground irresistible to visitors.

This facility is at an elevation of 1,850 ft. Because cold air tends to sink into lower valleys during the peak seasons of fall and winter, temperatures are cooler here than in other parts of the park during these times. However, temperatures from April to September can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recreation

The river offers ample opportunities to explore its shores and water. The river put-in allows easy access to canoeing and kayaking on the river. Birders flock to the river banks to spot such rare and unique species often found only in Big Bend.

Hiking trails are also found nearby and many backcountry roads are located near the campground.

Contact Information

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PO BOX 129 BIG BEND NAT. 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 State Highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and into Marathon. From Marathon, drive 40 miles south on State Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight for 26 miles to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn left and proceed for 20 miles to the Rio Grande Village area. Turn left at the stop sign and follow signs into the campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 064, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 091, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 090, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 097, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 093, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 096, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 099, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 092, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 088, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 100, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop Loop 8, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 089, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop Loop 7, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Loop 4, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 095, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014 ADA only, Loop Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 098, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop Loop 9, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop Loop 5, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Loop 3, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 094, Loop Loop 6, Type Standard Nonelectric

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