Camping in Big Bend NP Tx

[Dagwood_55]

What do you think the chances are to camp in Big Bend NP the week between Christmas and New Years? We'll be in a 33' 5th wheel with solar, so we'll be comfy boondocking. There are no reservations at the main campgrounds left....

[2gypsies1]

With a 33' 5th wheel I'd be hesitant with using the backcountry dispersed camping sites. Those roads are narrow and rough in places. High clearance would be recommended.

With solar I'd head for Cottonwood campground (no reservations) or Rio Grande Village non-reservable sites. Come in early/mid-week for a better chance.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/roadsidecamps.htm

[agesilaus]

If you don't mind getting away from the crowds, there are many dispersed sites. The back roads are littered with them. They have a parking area, maybe a fire-ring and that's it. You could always stay at one of these while waiting for a spot in one of the main CG

[fanrgs]

When we were there last January, there were no designated dispersed camping-boondocking campsites in the national park that I saw. But there is backcountry camping and trailheads with parking areas. You can get permits for those areas and might be able to get one where you can stay in your MH.

One place we saw that you could probably use is the gravel Maverick Road inside the NP. If you go a few miles south of the northwest park entrance (nearest Terlingua), the road is still wide and well-maintained and there are some side roads and wide spots. Farther south, Maverick Road gets rough in spots and I personally wouldn't take my fifth wheel, or your MH, on that stretch. Maverick Road goes all the way to the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook, which is where we got on it after taking the paved Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive down to the river.

We stayed at Big Bend Resort in Terlingua--big campground with gravel sites and a few trees, but it had hookups, cafe, gas station, motel, and WiFi in the "library".

[bob_nestor]

Been spending Christmas week at Big Bend for over 10 years. Never made reservations and never had a problem finding a camping spot. The Basin is very limited to RV size due to the sharp turns and anything over 21' is not recommended. They've also changed the campsites there to try an discourage RVers, so I no longer camp there.

Rio Grande Village has over 100 sites and only some are reservable. About half of them are designated as no generator sites though, but I've never had a problem finding a site that I could use my generator at. There's also a commercial campground at the store which has about 20 sites all full hookup.

Cottonwoods is a no generator zone for all campsites. I think this is due to it being a birding area. Not much to do there once you've visited the old ruins unless you're into watching birds.

The Basin and Village are good places to stay for hiking and the Village also offers close by off-road trails and the hot springs (only place in the park you can't have booze).

Outside the park in Study Butte there are about a 1/2 dozen commercial campgrounds.

There's also Big Bend Ranch State Park west of Study Butte in Terlingua. The Barton Warnock Visitor Center there has 6 full hookup sites for volunteers, but if they don't have them all in use they'll let non-volunteers use them. I think the cost is about $18/night. There are dry camping spots along the river in the State Park that you can get too.

[huachuca]

Other than Spring Break in early - mid March, this is the Park's busiest time. If you're willing to put forth the effort, you can get a site. RGV has around 100 sites with less than half being reservable . Chances are at least a few folks will be vacating some of these each day. Get there early in the AM, find the non-reservable sites, ask when they're leaving and be prepared to jump.

None of the Cottonwod sites are reservable and we actually prefer that area and of the Pak when its crowded. Same process of asking when a site will be empty.

There are a few of the dispersed roadside sites that will work for a rig the size of yours if it hasn't/won't be raining.

We've visited around this time and have always been able to get a spot but you have to be quick.