Campground Regulations

For your safety and enjoyment, and the protection of park resources, please abide by all park regulations.

Campsite Limit

Campsite limit is eight people per site (if more than eight are present, additional campsites must be occupied and paid for). You may have only one RV per site with a tow vehicle and one tent;or four tents plus two passenger vehicles;or four motorcycles. Smaller sites may not have room for eight people or multiple tents/vehicles. Group Campgrounds are not available unless reserved in advanced and are for groups of ten or larger only.

Camp Only in Designated Sites

All vehicles (including trailers and motorcycles) must remain on pavement or designated areas;do not park any vehicle on grass or behind parking barriers, rock or otherwise. Do not move parking barriers. No digging or trenching is allowed at campsites.

Wood and Ground Fires Prohibited

All wood and ground fires are prohibited including pressed wood logs or wood chips. Charcoal grills and gas grills are permissible, provided they are attended at all times. Do not place charcoal grills on tables.

Food Storage

All food items should be stored inside your vehicle or in an animal-proof food storage container. Animals consider toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and trash as food. Javelinas can destroy a tent to get at them. Do not leave coolers or food boxes on the ground when your campsite is unattended.

Trash Disposal

Dispose all trash in animal-proof dumpsters. Do not hang bags of trash from structures or vegetation. Birds, especially ravens and vultures, tear plastic bags open and spill the contents. Cigarette butts are considered trash and should not be deposited on the ground. Such items must be completely extinguished and properly disposed of.

Don't Feed Wildlife

Please, don't feed wild animals, including birds. This is unhealthy for wild animals and invites human/animal confrontations.

Pets

Prevent injury to your pets by keeping them on a leash or otherwise restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, on trails, in the backcountry, or on the river. Pets may not be left unattended. Pet owners are required to immediately remove and properly dispose of fecal matter deposited by their pets. Deposit bag of fecal matter in dumpster. Read more about bringing a pet to Big Bend.

Quiet Hours

Be considerate of your fellow campers by observing quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Generator Use

At Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin Campgrounds, generators are permitted in designated areas from 8am–11am and 5pm–8pm. Idling vehicle engines are considered generators in this regard.
No generators are allowed at Cottonwood Campground.

Gusty Winds

Be prepared for sudden gusty winds. Ensure tents and other items that may be damaged or scattered by wind are properly secured at all times.

Carry a Flashlight

Use caution when walking at night on trails, campground paths, or roads. There are many trip hazards in mountain and desert country as well as spiny plants and venomous animals. Consider wearing footwear other than flip-flops or sandals. Rattlesnakes may be prevalent anywhere in the park on warm to moderate evenings. Skunks are talented at using their noses to unzip tents. Make sure your tent is secure, especially if you are in it at night.

Unattended Property

Property left unattended for more than 24 hours will be impounded and the campsite forfeited, regardless of whether or not it is reservable or non-reservable.

Protect Your Park

Do not destroy, injure, deface, dig, collect or otherwise disturb any park resources, including plants and animals (dead or alive), fossils, rocks, or artifacts. It is a violation of park rules to possess park resources. Metal detectors are not allowed in any National Park. Please report any illegal activities to a ranger. Desert plants are fragile, do not drive or park off the paved or graveled areas.