Forum Discussion

spindrift's avatar
spindrift
Explorer
Jul 01, 2019

Chisos Basin, Big Bend

The web site clearly states that RVs greater than 20+ feet not recommended due to grade, twists and turns on the way up to Chisos. Has anyone done it, and if so, how closely should the recommendation be followed?

10 Replies

  • It's tight and twisty. The camp hosts were the only ones with anything over ~20ft IIRC.
  • spindrift wrote:
    The web site clearly states that RVs greater than 20+ feet not recommended due to grade, twists and turns on the way up to Chisos. Has anyone done it, and if so, how closely should the recommendation be followed?

    The description doesn't let you know how really twisty it is. I have seen a camp host get a 35 ft 5er up the mountain BUT traffic was halted and a lot of backing to make some of the worst turns.
  • When we were there in February, one of the rangers mentioned that they have trucks go before and after the campground hosts' RV's when they park or leave.
  • Big Bend has several dispersed camping sites that hold one or two campsites and are just out of sight of the road...but the roads can be rough if it has rained and then not graded, so check them and their condition out at the Visitor Center.
    We liked Hammond Draw, about a mile from the visitor center.
  • It is not just the road. Most of the sites are pretty tight. I had no problem with a 17' trailer, but I would only find a few sites that my 21' would fit.
  • There's 3 hairpins where you'll have to go over the center line and there's only a few camping slots that will take long RV's. You'll be much happier at Rio Grande Village campground.
  • The actual restriction is rv’s Over 24 feet. We have camped up tthere with our Winnebago Via which is 25’6” and had no problem negotiating the road or campsites.
  • Was there last Jan and rode the road up to the CHisos campground.
    I would take that recommendation seriously. A couple of hairpins were tight.

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