Loading…
← All Parks
West Texas
Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park
Terlingua, Texas · 56 campsites
Illustrative landscape
Chisos Basin Campground sits at 5,400 feet in the Chisos Mountains, the highest and most sought-after campground in Big Bend National Park. Rocky cliffs surround the basin on all sides, and the sites are a short walk from the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, the general store, and the trailheads for several of the park's most popular hikes. The road in is steep and winding with sharp switchbacks, so trailers over 19 feet and RVs over 24 feet cannot be accommodated. Sites are small, rocky, and not level, so tent camping is the norm.
Campsites
56 campsites
Region
West Texas
Guide rate from
Check booking site
Entrance
Confirm with park
Short answer
Check this campground’s official reservation page for its current release schedule and seasonal openings. We have not verified a booking window for this campground.
Compare your options
Campsite types
Standard (no hookups)
19 sites
No hookups · tents and small rigsRV OKTent OK
Standard (no hookups)
19 sites
No hookups · tents and small rigsRV OKTent OK
Standard (no hookups)
18 sites
No hookups · tents and small rigsRV OKTent OK
Check live availability
We check Recreation.gov right now — no stale numbers, just what’s actually open.
Checks your arrival date.
Location & trip guide
Terlingua, Texas
Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park is in West Texas. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗Best campsites
For Families:Loop 1 sites, closest to the visitor center and general store; reserve on recreation.gov
For Privacy:Loop 3 sits farthest from the core services and trailhead parking
For RVs:Small rigs only. Trailers over 19 feet and RVs over 24 feet are not accommodated on the steep basin road
When to Go
Fall through spring. November through April brings the most comfortable temperatures. Summer is milder here than on the desert floor, but the basin road and small sites still favor tents.
Tips
- →The basin road has sharp hairpin turns, so leave large trailers and motorhomes at a lower-elevation campground
- →The Window Trail and Lost Mine Trail both start near the campground
- →Generator use is only allowed in sites that specifically permit it, so check the site details before booking
- →Book early for spring break and Thanksgiving, the two busiest stretches
Highlights
Highest campground in Big Bend at 5,400 feetWalking distance to the Chisos Basin Visitor Center and trailheadsWindow Trail and Lost Mine Trail start nearbyMilder temperatures than the desert floor belowChisos Mountains Lodge has the only restaurant in the parkDark skies for stargazing
Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park — Frequently Asked
Is Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park hard to book?+
Yes — Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park is a federal campground booked through recreation.gov, and its sites fill up on weekends and during peak seasons. Fall through spring. November through April brings the most comfortable temperatures. Summer is milder here than on the desert floor, but the basin road and small sites still favor tents. Reserve early on recreation.gov, and set a Camp.land alert to catch cancellations found during scheduled checks every 30 minutes.
How many campsites does Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park have?+
Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park has 56 campsites, including Standard (no hookups).
How far in advance should I book Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park?+
Check this campground’s official reservation page for its current release schedule and seasonal openings. We have not verified a booking window for this campground.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park?+
Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park occasionally has same-day or cancellation openings on recreation.gov, especially midweek. Camp.land watches Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park for cancellations and checks every 30 minutes and emails you when a check finds an opening, with a direct booking link. Availability can change before you book.
Parks Near Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park
Don't wait for Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park to open up
Your first alert is free — no card required. We check every 30 minutes and email you when a check finds an opening. Availability can change before you book.
Set Alert for Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park