Big Bend National Park Camping Options in September

[wyocamper-WO]

Thinking about heading down to the park next month, before it's too late. Any suggestions for campgrounds? The only one in the park with hookups doesn't have long enough sites, and I really don't want to drop my trailer to park. Maverick Ranch has good reviews but seems kinda spendy, Also looking at Paisano Villiage in Terlingua. Looking for recommendations.

Or I could just drive our CR-V that gets 30+ mpg vs 5 in the motorhome, and stay at Chisos Mountain Lodge, and trade the convenience of traveling in my own house and having the fridge and bathroom just a few steps away, while saving a few hundred $$$

 

[creativepart]

The choices are few in Big Bend NP. There is only one Campground with power and the temps is September are still going to be 100+. Power for A/C is a must. The campgrounds without power have strict generator hours.

The distances in and around the park are massive. For instance, the park entrance is 80 miles north of the actual park HQ.

The Maverick resort in Lajitas is quite nice and is the closest but as you say is expensive. Everything in Lajitas is expensive as that’s what the entire resort is setup for with private jets flying in and out regularly. Though certainly September must be off season due to the heat. Terlingua is a quirky “town” but plan on 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour and a half drives from either place to the park. Then once in the park the distances are just as massive between the all popular sites.

Folks that live out there think nothing of a drive of 100 mi for dinner. So figure all of this in: 100+ degree temps, barren desert and extremely remote locations and make plans accordingly.

We went in February a number of years ago and it was still 95 everyday. After a couple of sweltering nights in the main campground we lucked out and got a spot in the parking lot they call a campground with a shore power hookup.

It is a beautiful but desolate place.

 

[Scotty B]

Roadrunner...

Big Bend National Park RV Park

Beautiful camping spot in Terlingua, Texas with Road Runner Travelers. Camp in a dark sky region in a new RV park. Enjoy the outdoors and Big Bend National Park. Large sites, restaurants, picnic, games, community grill and fire pit, pet friendly. High speed internet, sewer hook ups. See the Terlingu

www.roadrunnertravelers.com

 

[Scotty B]

When you say "too late", did you mean the desecration our government is currently on this sacred place?
One of our favorite NPs. Breaks my heart...
Couple things we really enjoy on top of the driving/hiking:
Take the international ferry to Boquillas del Carmen, I think they opened the border crossing back up.
Santa Elena Canyon - most people you'll see in the park.
Paddling the Rio Grande, though water is desperate and last I heard no Rio Grande water makes it out of New Mexico. The little bit they get comes from Mexico. It's kind of fun to say "look, I'm in Mexico", take a stroke and "look I'm in the US." Might not be enough water anymore...
Roadrunner is really close all of the good spots in Terlingua.
Try the Mexican restaurant right outside the campground.
Peace and safe travesls!

 

[creativepart]

OK, let's keep this from getting more and more political.

It's about camping in and around Big Bend National Park.

 

[Harvester-WO]

Going to Big Bend NP is probably my #1 destination with the Minnie Winnie. I've been to most of the camping options in and around the park. Of course my favorite choices are the Chisos Basin CG, and primitive camping (Grapevine, Paint Gap, etc.) along Panther Junction Road. I specifically target Feb-April and Oct-Dec for those places. However, as noted in the other posts it's quite hot in the August/September timeframe. You'll certainly want to have electrical hookups to run the A/C, and your choices are Rio Grande Village RV CG, and several campgrounds in Terlingua. Since you have tow vehicle, my choice would be Terlingua. There's several decent places to eat, and the area is a good launch point for day trips into the park. The Rio Grande Village CG is okay - just a big parking lot with those 90 degree L-shape sewer connections with water/30a/50a. However it is very convenient to key spots along the Rio Grande.

As noted in other posts, there's Boquillas Canyon and the crossing to Mexico. If you plan to cross over into Mexico (which is highly recommended), you'll definitely need a passport or the "passport card". They won't let you use your driver's license anymore. The last time I went there, I forgot to bring my passport, and the border officer explained the international policies when I asked to use my Texas driver's license. Even if you don't have your passport, there's a lot of other things to do. Be sure to check out the hot springs along the river, and head up to Chisos Basin. Another one of my favorite places is along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Along that route is the Sam Nail Ranch, Mule Ears Viewpoint, and Tuff Canyon Overlook. Just talking about it, makes me want to start making plans for my next visit.

I've also stayed at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, with my car, and had no complaints. The on-site restaurant is decent, but keep in mind the logistics involved with transporting food. So maybe not gourmet, but they usually have something good to eat. Also there's a number of super nice trails around the Basin area. You may want to head up to Pinnacles, or if you up to the challenge - go to the top of Emory Peak.

Enjoy!

 

[wyocamper-WO]

We're putting this trip off for now unfortunately, but our hope is to make it a stop along the way of a longer trip one day soon, rather than a destination. Many thanks for all the input.

We're going to visit the three Utah NPs we haven't seen yet: Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef in September. But it will be a car trip. Simple economics really, 30+ mpg plus hotels is still much cheaper than 5 mpg plus campgrounds when gas is over $4/gal.

 

[Hermes2]

When we visited Big Bend in October of 2025, we stayed in Paisano Village in Terlingua. It was a pretty good jump-off point for our day trips into the park. As others have said, there are few good options in the park itself, although if you can get a spot with electric and water you should be good for a few days. It'll still be hot.

While you're in the area, I can highly recommend a stay at Fort Davis State Park, about 100 miles north. Very nice campground with full hook-ups, dark skies, and plenty of hiking trails.