The Thanksgiving holiday is always a busy time at Big Bend National Park.
The National Park Service operates three developed frontcountry campgrounds. Limited campsites at Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin campgrounds are reservable November 15-April 15. A concession-operated full hook-up RV campground is also available at Rio Grande Village.
Campground Chisos Basin
Elevation 5,401 ft.
Sites 60
Fee $14* ($7 with appropriate passes)
Facilities flush toilets, dump station
Registration self-pay
Comments Surrounded by rocky cliffs. Many hiking trails nearby. Very popular campground for active hikers.
Cottonwood
Elevation 2,169 ft.
Sites 35
Fee $14* ($7 with appropriate passes)
Facilities generator use not allowed, Pit toilets,
Registration self-pay
Comments In a shady grove along the river. Grassy. Good birding.
Rio Grande Village
Elevation 1,850 ft
Sites 100
Fee $14* ($7 with appropriate passes)
Facilities flush toilets, dump station,
Registration self-pay
Comments Largest campground. Shady sites. Laundry and paid showers nearby. Some no-generator sites. This is where we stayed. Active javelina area. They will raid coolers and picnic tables when unattended. All food must be stored in provided metal boxes.
Rio Grande Village RV
Elevation 1,850 ft
Sites 25
Fee Starts at $26
Facilities full hookups
Registration at RGV camp store
Comments Concession-operated. Adjacent to store. Basically a paved parking lot. Other than full hook-ups, nothing special.
Photos: Big Bend campgrounds-Rio Grande Village, Cottonwood, and Chisos Basin. (NPS/ERIC LEONARD)