Big Bend Backcountry Camping

Backcountry sites do not offer water, electricity, toilets or amenities. Visit Backcountry Safety & Preparation.

Backcountry roadside sites require high clearance, 4WD SUVs or trucks. Standard passenger vehicles can access only a few of them. It is YOUR responsibility to carefully review the description for each campsite on Recreation.gov or on the park's Primitive Roadside Campsites page. The park will NOT re-book your campsite or issue a refund if your vehicle cannot access the remote campsites.

Backcountry primitive sites are for backpackers only, requiring a hike of 1 to 6 miles (no vehicle access). Backpackers may park overnight at the amphitheater at the Chisos Basin campground (NOT at Chisos Lodge!).

Backpacking Group Size Limit. An organized group or individual party may not exceed 15. Groups up to 15 may split into smaller groups but must not exceed the total of 15 people per night for any one or group of sites in the Chisos backpacking zone.

The permit holder must be present and possess a printed or digital (PDF) copy of the permit to camp. Be prepared to show your permit to park ranger(s). Your vehicle information must match the permit.

• •You may not transfer a permit to another person. You must cancel and rebook.

THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL IS NOT YOUR PERMIT. YOU MUST PRINT YOUR PERMIT no more than 14 days prior to your arrival.

To print, select "Reservation Details" from your confirmation email OR log into your Recreation.gov user account. Once printed, you will not be able to modify your permit.

Read the description for each campsite carefully prior to booking. Campsites have different maximum capacities of people, tents and vehicles. If you exceed the capacity of the site (in any of the categories), you are subject to a fine.

Campers are required to follow ALL BIG BEND BACKCOUNTRY REGULATIONS. Regulations are strictly enforced.

• •GROUNDFIRES AND WOODFIRES ARE PROHIBITED. Use containerized fuel only in the backcountry. Charcoal grills are allowed only in primitive roadside campsites. Pack out all cold charcoal briquets and ash.
• •CONTAIN YOUR TRASH AND PACK IT OUT . Animals are attracted to food, trash and other scents. Use bearproof storage lockers when you are away from your campsite and pack out all trash including toilet paper and cigarette butts.
• •USE OR DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS IS PROHIBITED. Possession of other weapons, traps, or explosives is prohibited.
• •CAMP ONLY WITHIN YOUR DESIGNATED SITE. Prevent resource damage by camping within the area outlined by rocks, logs, or brush.
• •GENERATOR USE IS PROHIBITED IN ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES. Natural quiet is a protected resource; help preserve a quiet wilderness experience.
• •NO PETS ON TRAILS OR IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. Pets may harm or be harmed by wildlife and attract predators. Pets can go only where vehicles are allowed. Learn more about bringing Pets to Big Bend.
• •BURY HUMAN WASTE AT LEAST 6 INCHES (15 cm) DEEP. PACK OUT TOILET PAPER. Carry a digging trowel. Holes must be 1/4 mile (.4 km) from any water source and well away from camp. Overnight backpackers at the South Rim (SR) and East Rim (ER) campsites are now required to pack out human waste using a waste disposal kit! Burying of waste is prohibited on the rim.
• •DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE. Feeding wildlife is illegal. Keep food, ice chests, and cookgear in a hard-sided vehicle or food storage locker where provided. Read more about Backcountry Food Storage.
• •COLLECTING OR DISTURBING ANY NATURAL OR HISTORICAL FEATURE OR OBJECT IS PROHIBITED.
• •CONTAMINATING NATURAL WATER SOURCES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS IS PROHIBITED. Soaps, oils, skin lotions, and food residues from bathing or dishwashing can seriously impact water quality.
• •NO HAMMOCKS. No hammocks or other devices may be attached/tied to trees or any other natural features or objects.
• •MOTORIZED VEHICLES & BICYCLES ARE PERMITTED ONLY ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC ROADS. Off-road vehicle travel causes tremendous damage to desert environments. Only street legal vehicles are allowed on park roads.
• •CHECK OUT IS 12 NOON IN ALL SITES. Please be sure to leave your campsite nicer than you found it and depart by 12 noon.

Big Bend charges an entrance fee separate from the camping fee. You may pay the fee upon arrival or in advance. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, military, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.

Please collapse your tent during the day if you are not in the campsite. Bears have been known to investigate and damage standing tents.