Chisos Basin Campground
The Quick Take
Chisos Basin is the crown jewel of Big Bend camping, and everyone knows it. Tucked into a mountain bowl at 5,400 feet, it sits a full mile higher than the desert floor, which means temperatures run fifteen to twenty degrees cooler than the river campgrounds -- a genuine lifesaver from May through September. You wake up staring at Casa Grande peak, and every evening the sunset pours through the Window like liquid copper. The tradeoff is real: no showers, no hookups, and the winding road up discourages anything bigger than a short trailer. Sites are tight and close together, so this is not your solitude play. But the trailheads for the park's best hikes start steps from your tent, the camp store sells cold beer, and the elevation keeps the heat at bay. Choose Chisos Basin if hiking is your priority and you can handle rustic facilities in exchange for the best scenery in Texas.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 56 sites are reservable.
Book at Big Bend LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
37 ADA-accessible campsites. Accessible restrooms available. The campground is somewhat hilly, but paved roads connect campsite parking areas and restrooms. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:Wood and ground fires are prohibited.
- Generators:Generators allowed in specified sites only 8:00 AM-11:00 AM and 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
- Bear Safety:Pets may not be left unattended for their safety and for the safety of other visitors and wildlife.
Pro Tips
Reservations open six months out and peak-season sites (November through April) vanish within days. Set a calendar reminder and book at exactly midnight Eastern on your earliest eligible date -- weekday arrivals are slightly easier to snag than Friday starts.
The Window Trail leaves directly from the basin and delivers one of the most dramatic sunset viewpoints in any national park. Time your hike to reach the pour-off about thirty minutes before sunset, then walk back by headlamp. It is roughly five miles round trip and mostly downhill on the way out, which means the climb back is the price you pay.
The road to the basin has sharp switchbacks and a steep grade that will test underpowered vehicles, especially if you are towing. Stock up on groceries in Alpine or Marathon before you enter the park -- the basin store carries basics and ice but is not a real grocery run. Also, bear boxes are provided at every site and food storage is strictly enforced, so plan your cooler layout accordingly.
Photos
NPS
NPS
NPSGetting There
Directions
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). The Chisos Basin Campground is located in the Chisos Basin near the end of the Chisos Basin Road, 10 miles from Panther Junction.
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