OutReserve

Chisos Basin Group Campground (big Bend, TX)

Warning

General

The 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. 

A view of Chisos Basin from the Lost Mine trail. Green vegetation with red mountains
Chisos Basic Campground Area from a distance surrounded by mountain peaks
Chisos Basin Campground Map showing Group Campground
Sign on roadway leading to the Group Campground
Group campground, situated among the mountains

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly
Pet Friendly

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 5,400 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.

Number of accommodations: 7

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly
  • Potable Water
    Potable Water

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
Currently open - Jan 1 to Dec 30

Sites & Availability

7 Sites Available

Site
Price
L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
20 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night
M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
10 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night
N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
14 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night
O, Loop: Group Sites L-R
14 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night
P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
20 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night
Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R
20 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night
R, Loop: Group Sites L-R
20 guests · Pet Friendly
$60.00
/ per night

Reviews (68)

What Guests Are Saying

Chisos Basin Group Campground offers stunning views, particularly from Group Site M, and features spacious, clean campsites with accessible restrooms. Visitors appreciate the helpfulness of park rangers and the nearby trailheads, enhancing the overall experience. However, some found the proximity to other campsites could lead to noise issues, and there were mixed reviews regarding camp host interactions.

Review Summary

4.4
68 reviews
5
69.1%
47
4
13.2%
9
3
8.8%
6
2
2.9%
2
1
5.9%
4

Austin P

Verified

October 23, 2022 Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

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

Verified

April 30, 2022 Stayed at: M, Loop: Group Sites L-R

3

Great!

Bill L

Verified

April 9, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

We always love to camp in the Chisos Basin.

Sharon B

Verified

April 7, 2022 Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

This campground was amazing! The scenery was breathtaking!

Jennifer S

Verified

March 21, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

This is a beautiful camp site with picnic tables and beer boxes if needed. I rec to book six months in advance.

Troy W

Verified

March 20, 2022 Stayed at: Q, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

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

Verified

March 9, 2022 Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R

3

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

Verified

March 3, 2022 Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

Everything as you might expect, and host was courteous.

Corey K

Verified

March 2, 2022 Stayed at: O, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

Great location. Close to visitor center and restaurant. Beautiful views.

Sarah B

Verified

February 27, 2022 Stayed at: N, Loop: Group Sites L-R

5

Amazing campground! Right in the middle of the mountains completely surrounded. The no camp fires was kind of a bummer but still great stay.

Location Chisos Basin Group Campground (big Bend, TX)

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

Latitude & Longitude: 29.275 / -103.304

Elevation: 1575 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
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.

General

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.

General

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.

General

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

General

No Hookups. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups. 

General

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. 

General

Generators Prohibited. Generator use is prohibited in the group campground area. 

General

Group Picnic Shelters. Sites P, Q and R have picnic shelters

General

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.

General

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.

General

Campfires. No wood or ground fires allowed at any time. Charcoal may be used in the raised grills provided at each site.

General

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.

General

Minimum & Maximum Occupancy. 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.

General

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

General

The 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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