CHISOS BASIN CAMPGROUND
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., 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.
The national park is named for a curve in the Rio Grande called the big bend. For 1,250 miles 2012 km, the river is an International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. The campground lies at the base of several sloping cliffs amidst montane shrubland desert plants such as Arizona cyprus and mesquite trees fill the landscape. Maple, aspen, pinyon and ponderosa pines grow at higher elevations just above the campground. Though it is lower than the surrounding cliffs, the Chisos Basin is at a higher elevation than other campgrounds within the park. Summer temperatures here are cool, yet warmer than other areas in fall and winter due to the cold air sinking into lower regions. The Chisos Mountains are a popular nesting site for migratory birds . The mountains provide the only nesting ground in the United States for the Colima Warbler, which arrives in mid-April and departs for its wintering grounds in southwestern Mexico by mid-September.
Big Bend National Park encompasses 801,000 acres 324,153 ha and the Chisos Basin area is centrally located. This allows visitors an excellent opportunity to explore all areas of the park in a relatively short drive. Big Bend offers excellent hiking trails, miles of rugged dirt roads, and endless possibilities for sightseeing.
This campground is a hub for hikers. Some of the park's most spectacular and popular Day Hike trails are nearby, including the Lost Mine Trail, the Window Trail, the South Rim Trail and the Pinnacles Trail, with its access to the park's highest point, Emory Peak elevation 7,825 ft./2385 m. Campers can find the trailheads for most of these trails in the main Chisos Basin area a mile or so further down the Basin road from the campground. Access to the river is approximately 30 miles 48 km away, where visitors can canoe, kayak and fish.
The group campground is located approximately 1/4 mile .4 km away from the main Chisos Basin Campground. Each site comes with a picnic table, charcoal grill and bear-proof food storage container and some sites come with picnic shelters for shade. All campsites are within easy walking distance to drinking water and toilets. No RVs, trailers, or generators are allowed.
Group Site O allows for ONE smaller 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 walk-in, tents only.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend's vast undeveloped areas provide excellent opportunities for backcountry experiences if you seek solitude, wilderness, and adventureThe backcountry sites listed here are primitive backcountry road campsites and primitive backpacking sites in the Chisos Mountains. All are designated sites located in remote locations. Campers must be
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Chisos Basin Campground
Chisos Basin Campground, perched high in the rugged Chisos Mountains, is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. At an altitude of 5,400 ft., the campground is surrounded on all sides by tall, rocky cliffs and is conveniently located near some of the park's most spectacular and popular trails. This campground offers excellent
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Cottonwood Campground
Cottonwood Campground is a quiet desert oasis in the southwestern corner of Big Bend National Park. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 30-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group
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Rio Grande Village Campground
The Rio Grande Village Campground sits near the banks of the Rio Grande, the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. It is one of the most popular campgrounds in Big Bend National Park, especially for those traveling in large recreational vehicles. It is located close to Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs, and serves as a launch point
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