Big Bend National Park
Lodging & Dining
Camping, lodging & facilities
Where can I park my trailer (or RV)?Many people are used to parking anywhere in an RV.
Visitors to Big Bend must stay in a designated camping area. If you want hook-ups, you can stay in the RV park at Rio Grande Village. IMPORTANT: You must use all 3 hook-ups (electricity, three inch sewer connection, and water). If you cannot use all three hook-ups, you can stay in a park campground without hookups, or stay in one of the RV hookup areas outside of the park.
Where can I camp?
There are three developed (frontcountry) campgrounds in the park, located at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and Castolon. The Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin campgrounds provide sewer dump stations and a place to fill your water tank, but none of the three campgrounds offers RV hookups. There are also primitive sites on dirt roads and virtually unlimited backpacking areas where you can camp with a backcountry use permit.
Where can I camp?
There are three developed (frontcountry) campgrounds in the park, located at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and Castolon. The Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin campgrounds provide sewer dump stations and a place to fill your water tank, but none of the three campgrounds offers RV hookups. There are also primitive sites on dirt roads and virtually unlimited backpacking areas where you can camp with a backcountry use permit.
Can I make reservations for camping?
A limited number of campsites in Rio Grande Village and the Chisos Basin campgrounds are designated reservable. These sites are reservable for the time period from November 15 to April 15. Reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance by visiting recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Big Bend National Park cannot make reservations.
Otherwise, all park campgrounds are operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are there showers in the park?
The only area in the park with public showers is Rio Grande Village. The showers are located at the store; hours may vary seasonally, check at any visitor center for current times. Showers are also available in Study Butte and at the Stillwell Ranch.
Where can I stay in the park if Iâm not camping?
The Chisos Mountains Lodge is the only lodging available in the park; their phone number is 432-477-2291. If the Lodge is full, there are numerous motels outside of the park.
Where is the nearest ATM (automated teller machine)?
The nearest ATM machine is located at the Quicksilver Branch Bank in Study Butte. Banking services are also located in Alpine and Fort Stockton (100 miles and 127 miles, respectively, from park headquarters).
Where can I get groceries in the park?
Groceries are available at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and Castolon. The gas station at Panther Junction also has a limited selection of groceries. There are also several stores outside the park in Study Butte.
Where can I buy gas?
In the park, gas is only available at Rio Grande Village and Panther Junction. Gas is also available in Study Butte, Lajitas, and at the Stillwell Ranch.
Where can I buy diesel?
At the Panther Junction Service Station or outside the park at Study Butte.
Where can I buy LP gas (liquid propane)?
At Rio Grande Village store, but be sure you check ahead of time - they do not always have someone available who is licensed to dispense propane. Propane is also available in Study Butte (call before drving there).
Can I use my cell phone in the park?
Cell phone service is available in the park, but do not depend on it. Signal availability and strength varies depending on your location in the park and the service you are using. It's a good idea to have an alternate method of communication, such as a prepaid phone card.
Lodging
Chisos Mountains Lodge
The Chisos Mountains Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, Inc., is located in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet elevation. The lodge offers a variety of rooms and cottages, plus a gift shop and dining room.
Where To Eat
Inside the park
The Mountain View Resturaunt in the Chisos Mountains Lodge offers the only full-service dining inside the park.
Outside of the park
Many dining opportunities exist outside the park in the communities of Terlingua and Study Butte. Click here to view a listing of resturaunts outside of the park.
Big Bend In Depth
News from the Parks
Civil Rights Leaders Declare Fundraising Success for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
December 4, 2008 - 3:10pm
Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
December 4, 2008 - 3:10pm
Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
Wildlife Biologist Cites Reasons Behind Bear Attacks
December 4, 2008 - 3:08pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver said bear management and education of the public must take place in order to decrease harmful bear and human encounters.
December 4, 2008 - 3:08pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver said bear management and education of the public must take place in order to decrease harmful bear and human encounters.
Park Develops Plan to Preserve Outcrops
December 4, 2008 - 3:05pm
Shenandoah National Park asked for comments on a study it did on how people affect rock outcrops and the rare vegetation that grows on them. Visitors have damaged some popular rock outcrops and the park is trying to decide how to best protect pristine areas while still allowing visitors to enjoy them.
December 4, 2008 - 3:05pm
Shenandoah National Park asked for comments on a study it did on how people affect rock outcrops and the rare vegetation that grows on them. Visitors have damaged some popular rock outcrops and the park is trying to decide how to best protect pristine areas while still allowing visitors to enjoy them.
White House Christmas Tree Lighting Closes Streets, Limits Parking
December 4, 2008 - 3:04pm
D.C. police are warning travelers of street closures near the White House during the afternoon rush hour for the lighting of the National Christmas tree.
December 4, 2008 - 3:04pm
D.C. police are warning travelers of street closures near the White House during the afternoon rush hour for the lighting of the National Christmas tree.
Officials Prepare for Chronic Wasting in Deer
December 4, 2008 - 3:01pm
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, could devastate local deer populations, and National Park Service officials want to be prepared if the disease makes its way inside the boundaries of Monocacy and Antietam national battlefields.
December 4, 2008 - 3:01pm
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, could devastate local deer populations, and National Park Service officials want to be prepared if the disease makes its way inside the boundaries of Monocacy and Antietam national battlefields.
