Openings · last 7 days
1
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 1 site opening here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10028875
When Big Bend Backcountry Camping reopens
Big Bend Backcountry Camping's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
1
Openings · last 90 days
1
Only 1 opening in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 49 monitored sites
Of the 8,967 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 4,230 open for online reservation · 2,868 reserved · 1,730 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative) · 139 closed.
Where the open windows are
52.8% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 4,230 of 8,967 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online52.8%
Open site-nights4,230 / 8,967
Reserved (of online inventory)2,868 / 7,098
Weekday openings2,514
Weekend openings1,716
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 2,514 fall on weekdays and 1,716 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027September shows no online availability. 0 of 637 tracked site-nights are open there — 33 reserved, 604 on sites not offered online.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 49 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 11 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 13 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 20 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 29 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 31 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 23 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 23 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 6 sites are available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 27 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 19 sites are available for the complete two-night stay.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| East Rim 1 | 136 |
| Laguna West 2 | 136 |
| East Rim 2 | 134 |
| Blue Creek 2 | 133 |
| Colima 2 | 132 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateSun · Nov 1
Next open weekendFri · Nov 6
September0 of 637 · no online availability
The next bookable night is Nov 1; the first open weekend starts Nov 6. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
4,230 open site-nights across 48 sites at Big Bend Backcountry Camping, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 382 2-night, 319 3-night, 153 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Nov 1 at site Colima 2.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 30 ft. 18 sites take 25 ft. 31 sites of 49 have no recorded maximum and are not counted.
All 48 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Rim 1 | Not recorded | None | 136 | 112 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +124 more |
| Laguna West 2 | Not recorded | None | 136 | 117 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12 +124 more |
| East Rim 2 | Not recorded | None | 134 | 60 nights | Nov 1, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 15 +122 more |
| Blue Creek 2 | Not recorded | None | 133 | 77 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +121 more |
| Colima 2 | Not recorded | None | 132 | 88 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12 +120 more |
| East Rim 5 | Not recorded | None | 132 | 111 nights | Nov 1, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18 +120 more |
| Laguna West 3 | Not recorded | None | 129 | 41 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 14 +117 more |
| Blue Creek 1 | Not recorded | None | 128 | 33 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +116 more |
| Boot Canyon 3 | Not recorded | None | 127 | 35 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16 +115 more |
| Boot Canyon 2 | Not recorded | None | 125 | 27 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +113 more |
| East Rim 3 | Not recorded | None | 125 | 62 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19 +113 more |
| East Rim 6 | Not recorded | None | 125 | 55 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15 +113 more |
| Pinnacles 2 | Not recorded | None | 121 | 34 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16 +109 more |
| Pinnacles 1 | Not recorded | None | 120 | 62 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 18, Nov 20 +108 more |
| Pinnacles 3 | Not recorded | None | 120 | 31 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 14, Nov 15, Nov 16 +108 more |
| Boot Canyon 4 | Not recorded | None | 119 | 29 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16 +107 more |
| East Rim 8 | Not recorded | None | 119 | 74 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 20, Nov 21, Nov 22, Nov 23, Nov 25 +107 more |
| Laguna Mdw 4 | Not recorded | None | 118 | 22 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +106 more |
| Laguna Mdw 2 | Not recorded | None | 117 | 29 nights | Nov 1, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 9, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19 +105 more |
| Colima 1 | Not recorded | None | 116 | 27 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 14 +104 more |
| Boot Canyon 1 | Not recorded | None | 115 | 32 nights | Nov 1, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 19 +103 more |
| Laguna Mdw 1 | Not recorded | None | 114 | 32 nights | Nov 3, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 12, Nov 14, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19 +102 more |
| East Rim 7 | Not recorded | None | 112 | 33 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 23, Nov 25 +100 more |
| South Rim 2 | Not recorded | None | 110 | 57 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20 +98 more |
| East Rim 9 | Not recorded | None | 108 | 50 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 11, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 19, Nov 20 +96 more |
| East Rim 4 | Not recorded | None | 102 | 19 nights | Nov 1, Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 6, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 19, Nov 23, Nov 24 +90 more |
| Toll Mountain | Not recorded | None | 96 | 16 nights | Nov 2, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 29 +84 more |
| South Rim 4 | Not recorded | None | 93 | 51 nights | Nov 1, Nov 3, Nov 18, Nov 29, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 3, Dec 6, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 9, Dec 10 +81 more |
| Grapevine Hills 3 | 25 ft | None | 80 | 30 nights | Nov 5, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 26, Dec 2, Dec 5, Dec 6, Dec 8, Dec 9, Dec 21, Dec 22 +68 more |
| Robbers Roost | 25 ft | None | 68 | 19 nights | Nov 15, Nov 29, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 8, Jan 2, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027 +56 more |
| Twisted Shoe | 25 ft | None | 68 | 23 nights | Dec 6, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 21, Dec 22, Dec 25, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027, Jan 15, 2027 +56 more |
| Grapevine Hills 4 | 25 ft | None | 65 | 25 nights | Nov 20, Dec 2, Dec 7, Dec 23, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 12, 2027, Jan 13, 2027 +53 more |
| Nine Point Draw | 30 ft | None | 64 | 14 nights | Nov 1, Nov 5, Dec 16, Dec 17, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027, Jan 13, 2027 +52 more |
| Pine Canyon 3 | 25 ft | None | 63 | 20 nights | Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 10, Dec 16, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027, Jan 15, 2027 +51 more |
| South Rim 3 | Not recorded | None | 63 | 7 nights | Nov 1, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 3, Dec 7, Dec 9, Dec 10, Dec 13, Dec 14, Dec 16, Dec 18, Dec 24 +51 more |
| Pine Canyon 5 | 25 ft | None | 61 | 18 nights | Nov 29, Dec 2, Dec 7, Dec 10, Dec 23, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 15, 2027, Jan 16, 2027, Jan 18, 2027, Jan 19, 2027 +49 more |
| Paint Gap 3 | 25 ft | None | 46 | 15 nights | Nov 5, Nov 19, Dec 2, Dec 3, Dec 18, Dec 22, Dec 25, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 15, 2027, Jan 26, 2027 +34 more |
| Paint Gap 1 | 25 ft | None | 42 | 21 nights | Nov 1, Dec 4, Dec 14, Dec 15, Dec 16, Dec 17, Dec 22, Jan 27, 2027, Jan 28, 2027, Jan 31, 2027, Feb 7, 2027, Feb 15, 2027 +30 more |
| Pine Canyon 4 | 25 ft | None | 36 | 6 nights | Jan 5, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027, Jan 22, 2027, Jan 23, 2027, Jan 24, 2027, Jan 30, 2027, Jan 31, 2027 +24 more |
| Pine Canyon 1 | 25 ft | None | 34 | 7 nights | Nov 3, Nov 29, Dec 1, Dec 22, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027, Jan 15, 2027, Jan 16, 2027, Jan 17, 2027, Jan 25, 2027, Jan 26, 2027, Jan 27, 2027 +22 more |
| K-Bar 1 | 25 ft | None | 33 | 6 nights | Dec 10, Jan 17, 2027, Jan 18, 2027, Jan 19, 2027, Jan 22, 2027, Jan 24, 2027, Jan 27, 2027, Jan 28, 2027, Jan 29, 2027, Jan 30, 2027, Feb 1, 2027, Feb 2, 2027 +21 more |
| Pine Canyon 2 | 25 ft | None | 33 | 13 nights | Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027, Jan 16, 2027, Jan 23, 2027 +21 more |
| Croton Spring 1 | 30 ft | None | 30 | 9 nights | Dec 18, Dec 26, Jan 2, 2027, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 12, 2027, Jan 17, 2027, Jan 18, 2027, Jan 19, 2027, Jan 20, 2027, Feb 1, 2027, Feb 2, 2027 +18 more |
| Paint Gap 2 | 25 ft | None | 29 | 8 nights | Nov 1, Nov 20, Dec 25, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027, Jan 18, 2027, Jan 19, 2027, Jan 20, 2027, Jan 24, 2027, Jan 25, 2027, Jan 26, 2027 +17 more |
| Grapevine Hills 2 | 30 ft | None | 26 | 8 nights | Dec 1, Dec 6, Dec 7, Dec 21, Dec 24, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 18, 2027, Jan 30, 2027, Jan 31, 2027, Feb 1, 2027 +14 more |
| K-Bar 2 | 30 ft | None | 12 | 3 nights | Dec 3, Jan 25, 2027, Jan 26, 2027, Jan 27, 2027, Feb 6, 2027, Feb 7, 2027, Feb 8, 2027, Feb 12, 2027, Feb 13, 2027, Mar 17, 2027, Mar 18, 2027, Mar 19, 2027 |
| Grapevine Hills 1 | Not recorded | None | 10 | 4 nights | Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 9, 2027, Feb 3, 2027, Feb 4, 2027, Mar 17, 2027, Mar 18, 2027, Mar 19, 2027 |
| Nugent Mountain | 30 ft | None | 5 | 1 night | Dec 1, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 23, 2027, Mar 3, 2027, Mar 19, 2027 |
About Big Bend Backcountry Camping
Overview
Big Bend's vast undeveloped areas provide excellent opportunities for backcountry experiences if you seek solitude, wilderness, and adventure! The backcountry sites listed here are primitive backcountry road campsites and primitive backpacking sites in the Chisos Mountains. All are designated sites located in remote locations. Campers must be self-sufficient. Visit the park's Backcountry Use web page to learn about proper planning and trip preparation for this remote area.
Backcountry Regulations are strictly enforced.
These are primitive sites and do not offer water, electricity, toilet access, or any amenities. Primitive Chisos campsites are BACKPACK-ONLY campsites with NO vehicle access. Campsites are from 1-6 miles (1.6 to 10 km) from the trailhead. Maximum group size is 15 people . Overnight backpackers may park in the large amphitheater lot adjacent to the Chisos Basin Campground. Most primitive roadside campsites require a high clearance vehicle. The park highly recommends a four wheel drive vehicle. Road conditions can change quickly. High clearance vehicles are defined as an SUV or truck with at least 15 inch (38 cm) tire rims AND at least 8 inches (20 cm) of ground clearance from the lowest point of the frame, body, or suspension.
Recreation
Splendid Isolation! Big Bend National Park is beloved as one of the few large public land areas in Texas. Major activities include camping, backpacking, hiking, birdwatching, river trips, enjoying the spring bloom, and adventuring along backcountry roads. The spring months of March and April are the busiest, as well as the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays, although the park is open and visited year round.
Facilities
These are primitive campsites, and require extra trip planning. Please take the time to plan and carefully prepare your itinerary.
Backpacking in Big Bend offers primitive designated backpacking campsites located along the extensive Chisos Mountains Trails system . Primitive Roadside Campsites: offer camping with your vehicle in designated campsites along rugged backcountry dirt roads . Roadside campsites are intended for high clearance vehicles only. Trailers and passenger vehicles will not be able to access most of these campsites. High clearance vehicles are defined as an SUV or truck, with at least 15 inch (38 cm) tire rims AND at least 8 inches (20 cm) of ground clearance, as measured from the lowest point of the vehicle (frame, suspension, body, differential).
Natural Features
From an elevation of less than 1,800 feet (550 m) along the Rio Grande to nearly 8,000 feet (2438 m) in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forested mountains, and an ever-changing river. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States
49 monitored sitesRVs up to 30 ftNo hookups28 shadedPets OKMax party 20
Getting there
Big Bend National Park is located in West Texas, a considerable distance from cities and transportation hubs. While the isolation of Big Bend is a draw for many visitors, it also means you must be well prepared for and carefully plan your trip. There is no public transportation to or within Big Bend National Park. Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles (42 km) east to park headquarters) or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles/113 km) south to park headquarters). Visit the park's Directions & Transportation web page for details. Distances between towns and services are considerable. Be sure you have plenty of gas, oil, food, and water for your trip. The park has four camp stores, but supply and selection can be limited. There are also small stores in the communities outside the park. The last major shopping areas (grocery and hardware stores) are Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Del Rio. Each backcountry campsite is in a remote area of the park. Check the site listing for your reservation for detailed directions on how to get to that specific site. If you are staying in a backpacking site, park in the Chisos Basin amphitheater parking area, located near the Chisos Basin campground.
Po Box 129, Big Bend National Park, TEXAS 79834432-477-1158
BackpackingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingHikingInterpretive ProgramsKayakingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-10028875 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-10028875 · Big Bend Backcountry Camping · Big Bend National Park TEXAS12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Reservations for Big Bend Backcountry Camping are made through Recreation.gov. 4,230 of 8,967 tracked site-nights are currently open (47.2%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 1 site opening here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
Campsite Sniper detected 1 site-date opening at Big Bend Backcountry Camping in the last 7 days, 1 over 30 days and 1 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
319 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Nov 1 at site Colima 2. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Big Bend Backcountry Camping fit a 35-foot RV?
No RV-analyzable site here has a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 30 ft. 18 of those 49 sites have a recorded maximum length and 31 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Which month has the most availability at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
January 2027, with 1,081 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 1,519.
When is the next open date at Big Bend Backcountry Camping?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Sun, Nov 1 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Nov 6. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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