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)
Number of accommodations: 7
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
7 Sites Available
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Site Details
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7 Sites Available
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 (69)
What Guests Are Saying
Chisos Basin Group Campground offers spacious, clean sites with stunning views and convenient restroom access, making it an ideal spot for group camping. Many visitors highlighted the helpful camp host and the excellent trailheads nearby, enhancing the overall experience. While some found the proximity to other campsites a bit noisy and noted issues with rude staff, the majority praised the beautiful scenery and friendly park rangers, contributing to a memorable stay.
What Guests Are Saying
Chisos Basin Group Campground offers spacious, clean sites with stunning views and convenient restroom access, making it an ideal spot for group camping. Many visitors highlighted the helpful camp host and the excellent trailheads nearby, enhancing the overall experience. While some found the proximity to other campsites a bit noisy and noted issues with rude staff, the majority praised the beautiful scenery and friendly park rangers, contributing to a memorable stay.
Review Summary
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
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.
Haley S
VerifiedApril 30, 2022 • Stayed at: M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Great!
Bill L
VerifiedApril 9, 2022 • Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
We always love to camp in the Chisos Basin.
Sharon B
VerifiedApril 7, 2022 • Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
This campground was amazing! The scenery was breathtaking!
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.
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.
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.
John P
VerifiedMarch 3, 2022 • Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Everything as you might expect, and host was courteous.
Corey K
VerifiedMarch 2, 2022 • Stayed at: O, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Great location. Close to visitor center and restaurant. Beautiful views.
Location Chisos Basin Group Campground (Big Bend, TX)
Address:
Park Headquarters
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834
United States
From Interstate 10, take highway 385 south to Fort Stockton and then on to Marathon. From Marathon, go 40 miles south on Highway 385 to the north entrance of Big Bend National Park. Drive straight 26 miles (42 km) to Park Headquarters at Panther Junction. Turn right and drive for three miles (1 km). Turn left at the Basin sign and go seven miles (2.1 km) before making a right into the campground road.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 29.275 / -103.304
Elevation: 1575 feet
Nearby National Park
In Big Bend National Park
Approximate driving time: 15 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: June 4, 2026
