Big Bend National Park12
Campsite #12 at Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
$16
Campsite #12
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 20 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | good |
12/9
Campsite #12 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 20-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (22)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 77% |
| 4 star | | 14% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 9% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@HannahWF7A56BD · Camped on Nov 23, 2025 at Campsite #12
I absolutely will be coming back and cant wait to plan my next trip! (I need more hiking experience I was NOT prepared enough LOL)
@AlmaT4158399 · Camped on Nov 29, 2024 at Campsite #12
Great campground overall. Views were incredible at all points during the day -- plus you have the fastest access to the Window Trail and Lost Mine Trail. The parking spots are super limited, so I would check your site pictures carefully. We had a couple foxes come through our site during each night of our stay, but they never were aggressive. There are no showers, and you are about an hour's drive from the showers, so plan accordingly.I would say to the "normal" camper group, be wary and bring earplugs if you are sensitive to babies crying 5-6 times through the night. Out of the 13 parks we've camped at, we have never had issues with kids/families respecting quiet hours, which is great, but for some reason the amount of people who brought babies (as in -- non-verbal, frequent criers, less than 2 years old) to this campground specifically was **concerning**. Not only because the overnight temperatures were in the 30s-40s but like... why would you intentionally bring a baby who will be unhappy because they are FREEZING all night in a place that typically has unmatched blissful silence? Beats me. Guideline -- if you are having a hard time keeping warm as an adult, your 18 month old will too. We had 3 families cycle through in about a 2 campsite radius that did this within our 3 night stay. This is nothing on the campground, I am just putting the PSA out there for those who don't frequent Big Bend.
@NickG3725346 · Camped on Oct 31, 2024 at Campsite #12
Well kept, friendly rangers, diverse wildlife, unexpected bear sighting. 10/10
@NadiaH4333984 · Camped on Jul 26, 2024 at Campsite #12
The campsite was a wonderful location with lots of scenery around. This site had a table with the bench attached so we didn't really need to bring our camping chairs as there was no time to just lounge around, there was so much to do and see. The restrooms were fairly close to the site and the host was not too far, they mentioned that there was an area to wash dishes but we did not need to do that. The metal food locker was great because we didn't have to worry about attracting bears. The site was a little rocky so be mindful of that when setting up your tent.
@Christine79297 · Camped on Apr 6, 2024 at Campsite #12
Best place to camp in Big Bend, right in the center and close to the best hikes in the park (Mt Emory, South Rim, Lost Mines). Also close to the Chisos Basin Mountain Lodge for hot meals. Campsite clearly marked and spaced out. Lots of drinking water sources. Clean bathrooms. Friendly staff. Even has some cell phone service. Great place to see the night sky (Milky Way every night).
@NickFECA30B7AC · Camped on Mar 3, 2024 at Campsite #12
Weather was perfect. Neighbors were friendly. The Campsite host was wonderful. The views and the memories made were beyond amazing. We will be back.
@FredaT2E8705BA · Camped on Feb 13, 2024 at Campsite #12
Absolutely gorgeous location! Our only issue with the Basin is I booked our spot online. The booking agent knew our trailer was 13 (has to be under 20), yet we still couldnt get our camper and truck in the spot we were booked. The guy in the site next to us was in a camper van and was booked into a spot with a 30 slope. This campground used to be tent only, and the sites are tent sized. The awesome host Mr Mark worked something acceptable out for us both. Just be careful about the site you book. The spectacular location, in a valley in the middle of the park, was well worth the inconvenience though.
@RogerL6012204 · Camped on Jan 21, 2024 at Campsite #12
Upon arrival our reservation had been cancelled. In fact the host stated 22 reservations had been cancelled. It was a cluster- (fill-in the blank yourself). We did get a campsite but not the one we wanted. It was slanted and would barely fit the short pop-up Aliner, let alone our truck. We did get moved to a different site on day 3/4. It was a lovely handicapped site, flat, etc. One of the hosts did what he could, the other went out of his way to be rude. He fortunately was leaving in 10 days. I will not be going back to Chisos. Too crowded. Headed for Cottonwood and Rio BGrande for two weeks. Flatter and less congestion.
@DavidU7039111 · Camped on Dec 12, 2023 at Campsite #12
Great location, nice sites. One overwhelming problem though - the park service decided to do a massive repair job on one of the three campground restroom facilities. Out of service. Their idea of a temporary replacement was a single port-a-potty, which when we were there was full to the brim. Obviously no one is servicing it. Pretty poor on the part of the NPS.
@YuanshenA6B265 · Camped on Nov 5, 2023 at Campsite #12
Campsite is recommended
@TINGYUAN42B5A6 · Camped on May 22, 2023 at Campsite #12
Nice view and clean camping site
@JohnH578 · Camped on Dec 30, 2021 at Campsite #12
Great campsite, however it’s at the wrong angle to back in and pretty tight. Had to go the wrong way to back in camper. Lovely place, clean bathrooms.
@JohnL363 · Camped on Dec 4, 2021 at Campsite #12
No issues.
@TimW842 · Camped on Aug 10, 2021 at Campsite #12
This campground is so beautiful. I could come here once a month.
@LarryJ795 · Camped on Jul 11, 2021 at Campsite #12
We spent 3 days and nights tent camping in the Chisos Basin and had a fantastic time. My wife and I hadn’t been there in about 40 years. We hiked into Santa Elena canyon, went to Boquious Canyon, hiked the Lost Mine Trail and enjoyed sunsets through the window plus many other places. We highly recommend the park.
@JeremyG994 · Camped on Jun 30, 2021 at Campsite #12
100% better than I could have ever imagined! Easy to get to etc. Clean. And the views are incredible!
@SolangeL330 · Camped on Jun 15, 2021 at Campsite #12
Loved the Chisos Basi. People were really friendly. Ranger was extremely helpful. Would 100% recommend.
@RoanF530 · Camped on Jun 10, 2021 at Campsite #12
Campground is gorgeous enough that I was fine with not hiking much because of the heat. Really nice that it's ~10 degrees cooler up in the mountains, sleeping was comfortable even in June. Definitely a park in a remote part of the country, make sure your vehicle is in good working condition! That said I was still getting cell service and the visitor center with wifi was only ~10 miles away, and there's a gas station within the park. Cleaner bathrooms than most campgrounds, though hot in the day. I did get lost upon trying to leave and drove for 30 mins before realizing I was going the wrong way lol. This is a huge park, so definitely know exactly where you're going - it would be dangerous if you were to get lost in the desert. Would definitely come back.
@FrankL232 · Camped on Apr 25, 2021 at Campsite #12
Make sure you eat at the “Chili Pepper Cafe” in Studdy Butt...great Mexican food.
@AlvaP186 · Camped on Feb 10, 2021 at Campsite #12
We really enjoyed camping there. The only problem was the road construction.
@SeanR193 · Camped on Feb 2, 2021 at Campsite #12
Very clean restrooms!
@ChuckR790 · Camped on Jan 4, 2021 at Campsite #12
Pro's: Beautiful location. Very friendly and helpful Park Rangers. Central location within park. Close to hiking paths, small general store.
Con's: Really small campsite. My 19ft Trailer barely fit, no room to park truck except across road in overflow parking. Road to campsite up winding gravel road, and closed partially during the day.
Overall a good experience. probably half the sites were being used for tent camping.
Con's: Really small campsite. My 19ft Trailer barely fit, no room to park truck except across road in overflow parking. Road to campsite up winding gravel road, and closed partially during the day.
Overall a good experience. probably half the sites were being used for tent camping.
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