Campsite #9 at Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX

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Campsite #9

34 reviews
Drive-In 8 people
24 ft Back-In
2 good
9
2/23
3/22
Campsite #9 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 24-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (25)

5.0 out of 5

5 star
84%
4 star
8%
3 star
4%
2 star
4%
1 star
0%

@JackB3458296 · Camped on Jan 5, 2026 at Campsite #9
Beautiful campground, there were some hikes right from our campsite. Only complaint is that it was cold in the mornings with the mountains hiding the sun. But worth the sacrifice for the view.
Verizon
Excellent
@GarryMF8C312A0 · Camped on Nov 27, 2025 at Campsite #9
I have stayed at this campground for several years, and unfortunately this was by far the most disappointing experience. The attention to detail and overall care for the grounds has noticeably declined. Unlike previous years, there were no park rangers patrolling the campsites, and no one verifying whether people were actually checked into the spots they were supposed to be using. This created an environment that felt disorganized and poorly supervised. Overall, it genuinely felt like the campground has stopped caring about the guest experience. After years of reliable, enjoyable visits, this year was a major letdown, and I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously and restores the quality and oversight that used to make this place great.
AT&T
No Service
@ElliotS7892867 · Camped on Mar 10, 2025 at Campsite #9
It was the most beautiful campground we've ever stayed in!
T-Mobile
No Service
@PranathiRD86D6 · Camped on Jan 17, 2025 at Campsite #9
Loved our stay at Chisos Basin with the view of the mountains. Our campsite (site 9) was conveniently located near the bathrooms and a short walk to the Window trail trailhead. Some other sites (3,19 etc) had a better view of the mountains unobstructed by trees. The campgrounds were relatively quiet but you can definitely hear talking / sounds from other sites since sound carries well here.
AT&T
No Service
@CalebR9866723 · Camped on Jan 2, 2025 at Campsite #9
Very nice stay. Very clean. Chisos Basin site 9 was near the bathroom and other sites but not too noisy. Plenty of room for 3-4 large tents. Running water. A very nice personal pavilion with a bench long enough for 3-4 people and a grill. Very close walk to the window view trailhead. ~.5-1mile walk to the Chisos Basin trailhead.
AT&T
No Service
@DarinP9023ADA5 · Camped on Nov 23, 2024 at Campsite #9
Great week long stay at the Chisos mountain campground. If you hike to the south rim be sure to take the few hundred yard trail off the main trail to the rim edge, these are the best views in the whole park.
T-Mobile
No Service
@EmilyC1289829 · Camped on Mar 22, 2024 at Campsite #9
Superb camp host and great site!
@CristinaM34003 · Camped on Feb 29, 2024 at Campsite #9
Absolutely loved this spot (#9). Plenty of room for my Casita trailer and the 4Runner to be side by side. Parked the 4Runner at an angle to the trailer so that I could set up my solar panel-great sun exposure this way. Covered picnic area is shaded all day which was great for my 2 dogs. Camp hosts were very nice and helpful. Restrooms well maintained and right behind the picnic area but far way enough to not be a disturbance when people walked by. One of the best spots in the campground-relatively level site compared to other sites. Plenty of drinking water spigots throughout the campground (one was at the edge of this site). Very convenient spot.
Verizon
Some Coverage
@KathleenA22196 · Camped on Feb 19, 2024 at Campsite #9
Beautiful location. Great trails close by. Bathroom needs someone to sweep and wash the sinks.
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@HansPeteF5AD1D · Camped on Dec 20, 2023 at Campsite #9
Small campground in a fantastic surrounding. The spot was nearly leveled, but this was by luck. There are several spots that are absolutely not leveled.
@AlainM9E8062D3 · Camped on Nov 15, 2023 at Campsite #9
Berry good in frne. Merveilleux
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@BenjaminD24014 · Camped on Aug 12, 2023 at Campsite #9
Chisos Basin Campground was amazing. Our campsite was beautiful and clean. Next time we think we will choose a campsite on the outside loop for better views. We went to the general store at 4 pm to get ice but were told that they were out of ice for the day so if you want ice go before 4. The Chisos welcome center also closes at 4 pm. The bathrooms at the campground don't have lights inside the restroom, so make sure to bring a source of light even during the day. Overall, it was an amazing campground and we will definitely be returning.
AT&T
Good
@BaileyM19298B2 · Camped on May 21, 2023 at Campsite #9
We loved our trip to big bend, it was fantastic as always! The site has a nice view, and plenty of space. There is a rocky patch, but that's not too hard to avoid. Check the ground before you put the tent down, we pitched our tent over a small spiky plant that had blended in with the grass. We also had to collect some rocks to weigh the tent down against the wind, but there are plenty around the site. The toilets are nearby and clean enough. The grill works great-- our lovely camp hosts had extra charcoal for us when we ran out. The ramada provides nice shade after a long hike.
Ask rangers about road conditions before heading across the park for a hike-- we drove an hour plus to santa elena canyon only to have the road flooded 3 miles from the trailhead. If you feel up to it, definitely do the south rim-- it is quite magical the entire way. We went up through laguna meadows, a gentler slope up, and took pinnacles down. They're not kidding when they say bring enough water-- we ran out on the way down and it definitely made the last hour a rough one. The window is also a must see, we did that one into evening during a light rain and it was fantastic.
Enjoy your stay, it's a magical place full of friendly campers!
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@ClaireH2734BDE · Camped on Mar 4, 2023 at Campsite #9
Beautiful campground! Very clean
Verizon
Major Issues
@CarlosA9960651 · Camped on Nov 28, 2022 at Campsite #9
So much beauty, so little time. Helpful staff. Black skies and quiet.
AT&T
No Service
@MattS1245099 · Camped on Nov 23, 2022 at Campsite #9
After our first night, the water main broke up at the visitor's center. They shut down all the bathrooms and brought in porta-potties.
Verizon
Major Issues
@WilliamR509139 · Camped on Nov 2, 2022 at Campsite #9
Best place in the park to stay. If youre camping in a tent, prepare for rocky ground where tent goes. There are no showers unless you stay in a lodge room. Other than that, it is beautiful, lodge restaurant is good, and brightest stars I have ever seen.
AT&T
No Service
@DavidC2858387 · Camped on Oct 21, 2022 at Campsite #9
Great campsite. The camp hosts were very helpful.
T-Mobile
No Service
@jeffreys172959 · Camped on Jul 29, 2022 at Campsite #9
Our family of 5 stayed 2 nights at Site 9 and had a great time end of July 2022. Site 9 is level - we stayed in a 6 person tent and it was flat. Its close to the restrooms, which do have AC plugs for filling up air mattresses. No showers but theres a water spigot and a big tree, a Bear box and a covered bench / table and a grill you cant use.The site was quiet as its close to the outer ring. Lights out at 10 pm allowed our 6-yr-old to see his first shooting stars.The store up the hill has food, drink, camping gear, medicine, milk, ice and souvenirs. We saw a mama bear and her cubs all 3 days we were there. I saw a grey fox at dusk at the amphitheater. We never saw No cougars, no javalina, no snakes, no spiders or scorpions. Camp hosts were very helpful and friendly - shout out to Kim, Dave, George and live-in medicine man, Skylar.Advice: fill up with gas before you enter the park, but gas prices at Panther Junction station were reasonable. The stations internet was out Saturday (they close at 5:30 and open at 9 am), so we were on fumes the morning we left. Fortunately we had cash and could fill up.We tried to shower at Rio Grande Village campground showers but we did not have $10 in quarters it would have cost us to all get 5-minute showers. How do you not have a change machine at a laundromat / shower place? Store closes at 5:30 and we arrived at 6:45 so no showers for us - there definitely was a rind on us.But who cares about showers when youre surrounded by such beauty. It was hot - we saw 106 @ Rio Grande Campsite at 7 pm but then a much-cooler 84 at 7:30 pm in Chisos campground). The first night we stayed it took us a while to get to sleep since it was pretty warm. Second night (7/30) the wind was whipping and the temperature was perfect - like 68. at the end of July it was not crowded at all. We barely saw anyone else on the trails and while driving and the other 2 campgrounds were empty.
AT&T
Good
@TanguyW36179DE · Camped on May 18, 2022 at Campsite #9
What a great place! Rangers and Volunteers have been so kind and their advices so helpful.
@DeeL98373180DC · Camped on Mar 9, 2022 at Campsite #9
Beautiful spot ... pull in site 9, short walk to Window Trail.
@NathalieV3078F · Camped on Feb 14, 2022 at Campsite #9
Beautiful spot with the best picnic benches I've encountered (wood, low, sheltered and partly with a backrest). A lot of wildlife around. Generators are allowed but everyone was super-considered and only ran them for a very short time (unlike at Rio Grande Village).
@IvyWA759D014EB · Camped on Feb 4, 2022 at Campsite #9
One of the most beautiful camping spots we have camped in ( we have only been to 20 NP). What a delight to wake up and see the walls of the basin and see the sunset through the window.
@KenJ2663160 · Camped on Jan 27, 2022 at Campsite #9
Chisos mountain campsite was perfect. If you are looking for great location - not on top of other campers choose site number 9. It has a covered picnic table and a generous level platform for your camper.
@NicholasF834 · Camped on Jan 1, 2022 at Campsite #9
Great site (I had #9). Close walk to the restrooms (with dish washing basin at the same building). This site was good for the camper van I used since the parking area was pretty much as flat as could be. Seems like there's a decent amount of flat space for a tent, too. Very close to the trail up to the lodge/store area (starts at site #13, I think) where there are quite a few other trailheads (Laguna Meadows and up to the South Rim, Emory Peak, etc.). I'd definitely stay here again!
T-Mobile
Some Coverage

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