Tent Sites
John P
VerifiedMarch 3, 2022 Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Everything as you might expect, and host was courteous.
Helpful
Warning
GeneralThe planned construction of the Big Bend National Park Chisos Mountains Lodge and other Chisos Basin facility improvements, originally scheduled to begin in May 2026, will not proceed as planned. Importantly, Big Bend National Park remains fully open to visitors. Due to the construction delay, previously planned closures of the Chisos Basin will not take place, ensuring continued access to the park’s facilities and breathtaking landscapes. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing updates as we work toward bringing these important improvements to fruition.
About Chisos Basin Group Campground (Big Bend, TX)
Chisos Basin Group Campground, situated high in the rugged Chisos Mountains, is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. It has seven group camping sites available for groups of nine to 20 people (size is site-dependent). At an altitude of 5.4 ft. (1646 m),, the campground is surrounded on all sides by tall, rocky cliffs and conveniently located near some of the park's most spectacular and popular trails. The Rio Grande is only a short drive away.
Also found in the 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.
Available sites
7 total sitesSeasonal 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
Currently open - Jan 1 to Dec 30
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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.
7 Sites Available
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L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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O, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
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Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
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R, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
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Site Details
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7 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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O, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly
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P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
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Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺
R, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
70 reviews
Summary
Chisos Basin Group Campground offers spacious, clean sites with breathtaking views and easy access to trailheads, making it ideal for group camping. Reviewers praised the friendly camp host and well-maintained facilities, including clean bathrooms and a nearby store. While some noted noise from neighboring sites and tight parking, the overall experience was highly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
Based on guest feedback
4.4
Overall rating
Based on 70 reviews
5 stars
70.0% (49)
4 stars
12.9% (9)
3 stars
8.6% (6)
2 stars
2.9% (2)
1 star
5.7% (4)
Showing 70 reviews
Verified Only
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Tonya S
VerifiedMarch 9, 2022 Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Lot's of positives about the Chisos Group Campground; lots of trail options, close to the lodge and visitors center for food and souvenirs, easy to use bear boxes, a nice covered pavilion with picnic tables, bathrooms were accessible and had outlets for power. A couple of bad things about site P; the description says it can hold large tents, but the area cleared for tents is small, very rocky, and very uneven; part of our party slept in their vehicle because we were unable to make all the tents fit. There were also sticker plants all over so definitely bring a tarp to underlay your tent bottom. Additionally, there really isn't much for adjacent parking, it was hard to even squeeze one car on the shoulder and out of the way of the drive lane. All in all it was great, but I would probably pick another lot if we go again.
Helpful
Troy W
VerifiedMarch 20, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
I enjoyed the campsite and the park. I’ve been to big Bear national park various times but brought along a bunch of new campers on this particular trip. They were all very happy with the facilities at the group campsite including the food storage boxes, restrooms, parking and access nature.
Helpful
Jennifer S
VerifiedMarch 21, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
This is a beautiful camp site with picnic tables and beer boxes if needed. I rec to book six months in advance.
Helpful
Sharon B
VerifiedApril 7, 2022 Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
This campground was amazing! The scenery was breathtaking!
Helpful
Bill L
VerifiedApril 9, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
We always love to camp in the Chisos Basin.
Helpful
Haley S
VerifiedApril 30, 2022 Stayed at: M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Great!
Helpful
Austin P
VerifiedOctober 23, 2022 Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Great site!! This is what you want if you got a big group of guys coming out to big bend. Trails to hiking South Rim/Emory Peak are literally yards away. Plenty of space for tents and hanging out. Highly recommend.
Helpful
Eva M M
VerifiedNovember 4, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
The rangers and volunteer staff harassed us daily over everything from soap in the bathroom to how far off the asphalt we were. In the past decade of coming to Big Bend I have never felt so unwelcome
Helpful
Joyce C
VerifiedNovember 5, 2022 Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Beautiful setting but sites are ridiculously small and sloping for the minimum number of people required.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Chisos Basin Group 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 south on Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight 26 mi (26.1 mi) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junct...
From Interstate 10, take highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and then on to Marathon. From Marathon, go 40 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 Panther Junction. Turn right and drive for three miles (0.6 mi). Turn left at the Basin sign and go seven miles (1.3 mi) before making a right into the campground road.
Highway access
Chisos Basin Group Campground is accessed via Highway 385, which connects to Interstate 10 to the north. The campground is approximately 40 miles south of Marathon on Highway 385.
Near Big Bend National Park
The closest entrance is: Maverick Entrance Station
Approximate drive: 14.2 mi · 24 min
Policies & Rules
General
- A camper arriving the day AFTER the reservation begins is considered a No Show. A No Show may result in a cancellation of your reservation. Contact the park at 432-477-2251 if you are late or will not be arriving until the day after your reservation starts.
- Vehicle Restrictions. The road to the campground is steep and winding with sharp hairpin turns. The vehicle restriction for the road and campground is 24 feet (7 m) for motor homes and 20 feet (5.8 m) for travel trailers. No RV parking is available at the group campground, with the exception of site O.
- Tents Only. The group campground is tent-only; no RVs or trailers allowed. That includes rooftop tents and camper vans. One exception is Group Site "O" which allows for ONE small (up to 20 feet/6 m) recreational vehicle (camper van, pickup camper, or small RV) to camp adjacent to the tent area as part of the larger group. All other sites are exclusively tent camping only.
- Tent Size. Tents larger than 8 ft. by 8 ft. (2.4 x2.4 m) are not recommended because of site layout. Sites P, Q, and R can accommodate larger tents if necessary
- No Hookups. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups.
- Organized Groups. All organized groups in Big Bend require a Special Use Permit. Visit the park website for additional information. Group maximums are 50 people in the park at one time per group.
- Generators Prohibited. Generator use is prohibited in the group campground area.
- Group Picnic Shelters. Sites P, Q and R have picnic shelters
- Food Lockers/Bears. Bears frequent the area. All food must be kept in the food storage locker at each campsite or in a hard-sided vehicle. Trash must be disposed of in the animal-proof dumpsters provided. Do not leave coolers or food boxes unattended at any time.
- Are you still here? Please collapse your tent during the day if you are not in the campsite. Bears have been known to investigate and damage standing tents.
- Campfires. No wood or ground fires allowed at any time. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site.
- Pets. Pets are allowed in each campsite, although they must be leashed and restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails or in buildings.
- Group campsites require a MINIMUM of nine people. The park will not honor reservations with fewer people. Maximum group size varies by campsite from 10 to 20 people.
- Hammocks. Hammocks are only allowed when not affixed to natural features. Do not hang hammocks on trees. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThe planned construction of the Big Bend National Park Chisos Mountains Lodge and other Chisos Basin facility improvements, originally scheduled to begin in May 2026, will not proceed as planned. Importantly, Big Bend National Park remains fully open to visitors. Due to the construction delay, previously planned closures of the Chisos Basin will not take place, ensuring continued access to the park’s facilities and breathtaking landscapes. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing updates as we work toward bringing these important improvements to fruition.
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Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Explore Big Bend National Park, TX
Elevation: 5,308 ft
Best Season: Fall, Spring
Big Bend National Park, TX
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