Chisos Basin Campground

Pardon Our Dust!

Work on two large construction projects in the Chisos Basin will begin in Fall 2025 and continue for approximately two years. Disruptions in visitor access to the Chisos Basin area of the park are expected.

Chisos Basin Improvement Projects

 

The Chisos Basin Campground is nestled within the heart of the Chisos Basin.

 

The Chisos Basin Campground is nestled in an open woodland within a scenic mountain basin. Campers enjoy the views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. The sunset through the nearby "Window" is a Big Bend highlight. Some of the park's most popular trails begin nearby. Elevation: 5,400 feet.

• Open year-round.
• Trailers over 20 feet and RV's over 24 feet are NOT recommended due to the narrow, winding road to the Basin and small, unlevel campsites at this campground.
  • NOTE: There is also a separate Chisos Basin Group Tent Campground with seven tent campsites for parties of 9-20 people. Tent camping only. No RVs. You must have at least 9 to reserve a group campsite.
• RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
  No First-Come First-Served Camping
  Chisos Basin Campground Reservations
• Wood fires and ground fires are NOT allowed anywhere in the park. A charcoal fire in an above-ground grill is allowed; ashes must be packed out. Liquid-fuel stoves are allowed.

 

Open

Basic Information

The Chisos Basin Campground is nestled in an open woodland within a scenic mountain basin. Campers enjoy the iconic views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. The sunset through the nearby "Window" is a Big Bend highlight. Some of the park's most popular trails begin nearby. Elevation is 5,400 feet.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.

Trailers over 20 feet and RV's over 24 feet are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road to the Basin and small campsites.

TOTAL SITES: 56

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 0

Walk to/Boat to: 0

Group: 7

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

Yes, Year-Round

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

Yes, Year-Round

Food Storage Lockers

Yes, Year-Round

Camp Store

Yes, Year-Round

Ice for Sale

Yes, Year-Round

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

Yes, Year-Round

Amphitheater

Yes, Year-Round

Laundry

No

Dump Station

Yes, Year-Round

Potable Water

Potable Water

Fire/Stove Policy

No fires. Charcoal grills only.

Toilet Types

• Flush Toilets - year round
• Portable Toilets - seasonal

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

Open year round.

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Fees

Campsite Fee

Per night. Campsite capacity is maximum of 8 people and two vehicles. Reservations required through www.recreation.gov. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground.

$16.00

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

Send this campground an email

Phone number (Voice)

432-477-1121

Mailing Address

Big Bend National Park
PO Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

Physical Address

Chisos Basin Campground
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

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.

Directions Details

Additional Information & Regulations

Additional Information

Trailers over 20' and RVs over 24' are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road into the Basin and the very small campsites in the campground. There are very few places where a larger recreational vehicle can turn around within the entire Chisos Basin area.

Cell Phone Additional Information

There is cell service in the campground area.

Regulations

Visitors may stay in the park up to 14 consecutive nights, with a limit of 28 nights in a calendar year. During the busiest time of the year, January 1 through April 15, visitors are limited to 14 total nights in the park.

Pets are permitted in the campground, but must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be six feet (1.8 m) or less in length. Pets may not be left unattended for their safety and for the safety of other visitors and wildlife. Pets are NOT allowed on trails.

Wood and ground fires are prohibited.

All food items must be stored inside a vehicle or animal-proof food storage locker.

Generators allowed in specified sites only
8:00 AM-11:00 AM and 5:00 PM-8:00 PM

More about regulations

Reservations

Reservations are required. No first-come, first-serve camping. The Chisos Basin Campground is open year-round. -- 2/3 of campsites are reservable up to 6 months in advance. -- 1/3 of campsites are reservable up to 14 days in advance. Reservations for Chisos Basin Campground are made at: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234038

Image Gallery

View of Casa Grande

Chisos Basin Campground

View of the Window from Basin campsite

Basin campground area

View of Casa Grande from the campground
NPS

Nice views from the campsites in the Chisos Basin Campground
NPS

A nice view of the Window from a Basin campsite
NPS

Basin campground area
NPS

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - One ADA campsite (site #37) with paved walkway, accessible picnic table and grill. Adjacent to water spigot and public restroom facility. The nearby public restroom is accessible.

Wheelchair Access - The campground is somewhat hilly, but paved roads connect campsite parking areas and restrooms.

RV & Trailer Information - RVs and Trailers over 24' are NOT recommended.

RV Allowed - Yes

RV Max Length in Feet - 24

Trailer Allowed - Yes

Trailer Max Length in Feet - 20

Classification - This campground is a developed campground.

 

Chisos Basin Group Tent Campsites

The Chisos Basin Group Tent Campground is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. It is located 1/4 mile away from the main Chisos Basin Campground. It has seven group camping sites available for groups of nine to 20 people (size is site-dependent). At an altitude of 5,400 ft.
Nightly rates are $40-$60 depending upon site capacity.

 

Nice views from the Chisos Basin Group Campsites

The group campsites are tent-only; RVs, truck campers, and trailers are not allowed.

Group Site O allows for ONE smaller recreational vehicle (camper van, pickup camper, or small RV up to 20') to camp adjacent to the tent area as part of the larger group. All other sites are exclusively tent camping only.

There are no hook-ups available in the group sites and generators are prohibited.

Each site is provided with a picnic table, charcoal grill and bear-proof food storage locker. All seven sites are within easy walking distance to water spigots and a restrooms. No RVs, trailers, or generators are allowed.

Wood fires and ground fires are NOT allowed anywhere in the park. A charcoal fire in an above-ground grill is allowed; ashes must be packed out. Liquid-fuel stoves are allowed.

To check on Chisos Basin group campsite availability and learn more about reserving a group campsite, please visit:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234013
or call 1-877-444-6777.

 

Chisos Basin Campground Map

Download the Chisos Basin Campground Map
Click the image to download the campground map. Print it out at home or save it to your phone to take with you on your trip.