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Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park
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.
56 campsites|West Texas
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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
Prefer a cabin or cottage nearby?
Cabins and casitas in Terlingua and Study Butte put you minutes from the west entrance to Big Bend.
See cabins & rentals near Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park
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 the moment they open.
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?+
Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park is a federal campground, so sites are booked through recreation.gov — typically up to 6 months in advance — not the Texas state park system. If your dates are already full, set a Camp.land alert and we'll email you the moment a cancellation opens.
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 emails you the instant one opens, with a direct booking link.
Don't wait for Chisos Basin Campground — Big Bend National Park to open up
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