Tent Sites
Adam K
VerifiedNovember 10, 2023 Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
The location is awesome, and many of the mountain trails are easily accessible from the campsite. Star gazing was great here too.
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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
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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
Select a site to view details
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
⛺
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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Natalia T
VerifiedNovember 16, 2023 Stayed at: N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
The Chisos Basin Campground is by far my favorite in the park. I love waking up to being surrounded by mountains. I’ve been coming to Big Bend for nearly a decade and the Chisos Basin Campground has always been an incredible and scenic camp. Everyone is always so welcoming and nice, the sites are well maintained, bathrooms are clean and functional and the scenery is just unreal. The Basin store and visitor center are also very conveniently a close drive away. My friends and my husband that I have brought to Big Bend for the very first time have all agreed the Chisos Basin is a game changer in the camping scene. 10/10 would recommend. I loved it here the very first time I went, I still love it just as much, if not more, like I did the first time. This will forever be my favorite place in the world.
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Jonathan C
VerifiedDecember 20, 2023 Stayed at: M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
The campsite was incredible! Our site particularly had a really great view of the lower basin toward window, but you can probably see all of it from each site. There was no trash anywhere, and the tables and bear boxes made it really easy to cook and store all of our food!
Helpful
Daniel M
VerifiedJanuary 3, 2024 Stayed at: M, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Great site, however be warned, there is no roof/shelter like it is shown on the photo. Didn't bother us, but may have been a problem if we got rain.
One of the tables fits nicely under a tree nook, which could provide decent cover during light rain.
Other than that, site is clean, level, next to a water spicket and close to trash bins. Very convenient and very picturesque.
Helpful
Chelsea C
VerifiedJanuary 8, 2024 Stayed at: L, Loop: Group Sites L-R
We stayed in Chisos Group Campground for 2 nights. The restrooms were closed, but a few port-a-potties were set up. Unfortunately, those were filled and quickly closed as well. Signs were posted to use the single campground that was a little ways down the road. I was extremely disappointed in the bathroom situation. But the campsite itself was nice and clean. All 3 bear boxes were in working order.
Helpful
Matthew D
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2024 Stayed at: R, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Good campground. Plenty of space. Water access.
Helpful
Denis F
VerifiedMarch 3, 2024 Stayed at: P, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Great fellowship for our Texas Master Naturalists group.
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Katrina G
VerifiedMarch 23, 2024 Stayed at: N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
The group campsites are in a beautiful spot in the basin with an excellent sunrise/sunset beyond the mountains around. Each site has several picnic tables and a pavilion roof above them. Water spigots are spaced through the group area and shared among a couple of sites. Bathroom was clean. Cleaning sink was provided for washing dishes but it was pretty stinky and dank - would benefit from airing out but sign on the door says to keep closed. 2 large bear food lockers at each site - plenty of room to put coolers and food bins into.
Its nice to be in the center of BBNP at this site. Site is really close to Lost Mine Trail, one of the more popular trails - limited parking at this one starts filling up by 7:30 am on spring break week. We had a great week and are grateful to have booked the site!
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Becca G
VerifiedMarch 26, 2024 Stayed at: N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
Such a great location! And great facilities.
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Autumn F
VerifiedApril 7, 2024 Stayed at: N, Loop: Group Sites L-R
The PERFECT group campground. Sunrises and sunsets were incredible. Can't wait to get back out here
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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