View of the Chisos Basin
Hiker along Window Trail
Campground map
Site with shade shelter and flat area
Chisos Basin View

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

About Chisos Basin Campground (Big Bend, TX)

Chisos Basin Campground, perched high in the rugged Chisos Mountains, is the most sought-after campground in Big Bend National Park. At an altitude of 5.4 ft. (1646 m), the campground is surrounded on all sides by tall, rocky cliffs and is conveniently located near some of the park's most spectacular and popular trails. This campground offers excellent views and mild temperatures. Also found in the Chisos Basin area is the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, the General Store and the Chisos Mountains Lodge, which houses the only restaurant in Big Bend National Park. Important: The road to the campground is steep and winding with sharp hairpin turns. Trailers over 19 ft and RVs over 24 ft are not recommended, and will not be accommodated. No RV parking is available at the group campground, nor is generator use allowed. All sites where you may have a generator are now reservable. If you need to use a generator and you do not have a reservation in a site that will allow generator use, you will need to camp elsewhere.  Note: Campsites are small, rocky, and not level, so there are very few sites truly suitable for RVs. Many sites will allow an RV/Trailer/Van/Camper, but you will not be able to get level. The campground is almost always full, and if the site you booked doesn’t work, in all likelihood you will NOT be able to switch sites, and will either have to make your site work, or find accommodations at another campground. It is necessary that you carry some form of leveling blocks/devices with you. Please carefully review the site details before making a reservation.

Available sites

56 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

56 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 001, Loop: Loop 1 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 002, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 003, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 004, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 005, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 006, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Pull-through
🚐 007, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Pull-through
⛺ 008, Loop: Loop 1 Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
🚐 009, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 010, Loop: Loop 1 Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
🚐 012, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 013, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 014, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 015, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 016, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 017, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 018, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 019, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 020, Loop: Loop 1 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 021, Loop: Loop 2 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 023, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 024, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 025, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 026, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 027, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 028, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 029, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 030, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 031, Loop: Loop 2 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
🚐 032, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 033, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 034, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 035, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 036, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 037 - ADA Only, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 038, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 039, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 040, Loop: Loop 2 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 041, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 042, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 043, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
🚐 044, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 045, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 048, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
⛺ 049, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
🚐 050, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 051, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 052, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 053, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 054, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 055, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
⛺ 056, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
⛺ 057, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
🚐 058, Loop: Loop 3 RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
⛺ 059, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
⛺ 060, Loop: Loop 3 Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly

Reviews

708 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Chisos Basin Campground offers breathtaking views of mountains and the Milky Way, creating a stunning backdrop for camping. Reviewers praise the cleanliness of facilities, helpful and friendly staff, and the peaceful environment, making it a favorite destination for nature lovers. While some mention issues like gnats and limited shade, the overall experience is highly recommended, with many eager to return for future visits.

Based on guest feedback

4.6

Overall rating

Based on 708 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 72.6% (514)
4 stars 18.6% (132)
3 stars 5.2% (37)
2 stars 2.4% (17)
1 star 1.1% (8)

Showing 708 reviews

ARI M

Verified

February 27, 2025 Stayed at: 004, Loop: Loop 1

One of the most beautifully hidden campgrounds I have been to, clean modern restrooms, ample parking, and some of the best stars at a campground I have seen.

The lodge and store are nearby but out of sight, and hiking and travel within the park is easy from this central location.

A place I would 100% go back to to experience this remote, but beautiful, location.

Helpful

Thomas S

Verified

February 28, 2025 Stayed at: 045, Loop: Loop 3

With the covered pavilion this site worked all very well for me and my two sons - we each had our own tent (3 tents in total) with no problem for space. We enjoyed seeing the gray fox every night that runs around looking for food. Only downside is you are close to your neighboring tent sites - but considering we needed the space for 3 tents it was worth it.

Helpful

Karin L

Verified

February 28, 2025 Stayed at: 035, Loop: Loop 2

All the staff and volunteers I interacted with were fabulous. I especially appreciated the sunset chat with the Deputy Superintendent.

Helpful

Susan L

Verified

February 28, 2025 Stayed at: 054, Loop: Loop 3

Amazing views, quiet campground, great hiking in the area, access to fresh drinking water and nice staff.

Helpful

Dale A

Verified

March 1, 2025 Stayed at: 051, Loop: Loop 3

the Chisos Basin campground was terrific. Well located, and everything went smoothly.

Helpful

Gary R

Verified

March 1, 2025 Stayed at: 045, Loop: Loop 3

We had never been. Will definitely return. Nice campgrounds. Hikes we took were doable and scenic.
Enjoyed the bat talk at the evening amphitheater event.
Beautiful place

Helpful

Elizabeth D K

Verified

March 3, 2025 Stayed at: 028, Loop: Loop 2

The basin is surreal, but the campsites are close together. There was a crying young child near us which wasn’t wonderful. There’s a nice amphitheater, but not enough Ranger led talks. We heard that 5 staff members were let go, just before we got to camp. The camp store closed at 4:30, which is not very convenient but understandable. I looked for a Donation box but didn’t not find one. The toilet buildings are bare bones, with no showers, but nice to have flush toilets, and running water, which was not available in most tent camping sites. The lodge is currently scheduled for demolition, and the only road up to the Basin will be closed to all visitors for at least two years starting this July. So, if you’re planning to visit, you better get there SOON .
The night sky was miraculous, we were able to see 7 planets!

Helpful

Keifer C

Verified

March 3, 2025 Stayed at: 032, Loop: Loop 2

I've camped in big bend about 5 times now and 4 of those were spent at Chisos Basin. This is no doubt the best spot to camp in. The location puts you in the center of the park and has the best hiking destinations. Being in the center of the park also allows you to drive in either direction of the park toward Santa Elena Canyon or toward Rio Grande Village. I would always recommend staying here if you're visiting Big Bend.

Helpful

Dean M

Verified

March 4, 2025 Stayed at: 055, Loop: Loop 3

Great site and location for explorations. Spectacular view.

Helpful

Cheryl D

Verified

March 4, 2025 Stayed at: 036, Loop: Loop 2

The campground is sadly lacking. None of the spots are level regardless of what you do. Our site was at least a bit more level but we were parking on the road. A bit of a disgrace for such a magnificent setting.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Chisos Basin Campground (Big Bend, TX)

Park Headquarters, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834 United States

Elevation: 1,575 ft

Getting There

From Interstate 10, take highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and then on to Marathon. From Marathon, go 40 mi (39.8 mi) south on Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight 26 mi (26.1 mi) to Park Headquarters at Pan...

Nearest town

Big Bend National Park, TX - 22 mi

About 52 min to downtown

Near Big Bend National Park

The closest entrance is: Maverick Entrance Station

Approximate drive: 14.2 mi · 24 min

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Big Bend National Park, TX

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Elevation: 5,308 ft

Best Season: Fall, Spring

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