Rio Grande Village Campground
The Quick Take
Rio Grande Village is Big Bend's most accessible campground and its lowest in elevation, which makes it the warmest spot in the park — a blessing from November through April and a legitimate hazard in summer, when the park slashes capacity to a quarter of its sites. The cottonwood grove along the river creates a surprisingly lush oasis in otherwise harsh Chihuahuan Desert, and the birding here is some of the best in Texas. You get more amenities than the Chisos Basin campground — a camp store, dump station, laundry — but you trade away the mountain scenery and cooler temperatures. The sites are well-spaced with grass between them, which feels almost suburban by desert camping standards. Choose Rio Grande Village if you want convenience, river access, and world-class birding without roughing it too hard.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 93 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
Accessible restrooms available. Paved and flat, the Rio Grande Village Campground is fairly easy to negotiate with a wheelchair. The Rio Grande Village Nature Trail begins behind campsite #18. The first portion of the trail is an accessible floating boardwalk over a small wetland. This portion is suitable for wheelchairs. 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 to 11:00 AM, and 5:00 PM to 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
Book the moment reservations open for any dates between Thanksgiving and March — this is peak season and the campground fills completely. Summer sites are first-come, first-served by default since so few are open, but the upside is you will practically have the place to yourself if you can handle triple-digit heat.
Walk the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail at dawn. The boardwalk loop climbs to a ridge with panoramic views of the river and Sierra del Carmen mountains in Mexico, and the birding along the way is legendary — keep an eye out for vermilion flycatchers and green kingfishers right at the trailhead.
There are no electrical hookups and generator hours are tightly restricted, so RVers should plan for battery power or bring a portable solar setup. Stock up on firewood alternatives too — ground fires and wood fires are completely banned. A propane fire pit is your only legal option for an evening campfire vibe.
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). Rio Grande Village Campground is located at Rio Grande Village, 20 miles east of park headquarters.
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