Camping in Big Bend Ranch State Park

96% (78 reviews)

Top camping in Big Bend Ranch State Park

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
96% (78 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Big Bend Ranch State Park adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Big Bend Ranch State Park

99%
(401)

The Bus Stop Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Terlingua, TX
🌵 Welcome to The at The Bus Stop Campground! 🌄 Your peaceful desert getaway nestled in the heart of West Texas! Our 12-acre campground is surrounded by stunning mountains, offering the perfect base for your next Big Bend adventure. 🏜️✨ 🏕️ What We Offer: We have 10 campsites ready to welcome you! Whether you're rolling in with a Sprinter van, a small RV (14ft or shorter), or just pitching a tent, we’ve got everything you need for a comfy, relaxing stay. 🌙 ✅ Each Campsite Includes: 🔌 Electric hookups 🚰 Running water 🪣 Wash tub (perfect for dishes!) 🍴 Picnic table 🪑 Seating area 🔥 Fire pit (bring the marshmallows!) 📶 Amazing Wi-Fi — yes, even out here in the desert! 🚿 Bathhouse Amenities: Our on-site bathhouse will keep you feeling fresh after a day of adventuring! 🚻 4 private bathrooms 🚿 2 double showers 🚿 Outdoor shower — perfect for rinsing off under the stars 🌌 🌟 Why Stay Here? 🧭 Our location is a gateway to adventure! Here are just a few epic activities nearby: 🌵 Big Bend National Park – Explore stunning landscapes, epic hikes, and endless stargazing. 🐎 Horseback Riding – Ride through the wild, open desert. 🏍️ ATV Tours – Get your adrenaline fix with off-road fun. 🌊 River Rafting – Experience the Rio Grande up close! 🥾 Hiking & Mountain Biking – Endless trails to discover. 🚌 Want to Stay in Our Famous Bus Airbnb? Our converted military bus offers a unique stay with all the comforts of home! Check it out on Airbnb by searching: "The Terlingua Bus Stop" 📋 Other Things to Know: We welcome RVs up to 14ft, Sprinter vans, truck/car camping or tent campers. Pets are welcome! 🐾 Just be sure to keep them leashed. Campfires allowed (as long as there’s no burn ban in effect). 🔥 🏜️ Come for the Adventure, Stay for the Stars! 🌌 Our dark sky campground is perfect for stargazing — bring your camera or just sit back and soak in the magic of the Milky Way. ✨ We can’t wait to welcome you to The Bus Stop Campground!
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$27
 / night

Robyn Campground - Synott Vc

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Study Butte, TX
Great! Here's an updated and more detailed campsite description that includes the location highlights: --- **10-Acre Primitive Campsite Near Big Bend** Looking to disconnect and camp under one of the darkest skies in the U.S.? This peaceful **10-acre primitive campsite** offers wide open space, star-filled nights, and a true back-to-nature experience. Perfect for tent campers, overlanders, or anyone looking to unplug and unwind. **Campsite Features:** * 3 concert-style benches for group seating or stargazing * Rustic **stone fire pit**—ideal for campfires, cooking, and gathering * 2 picnic tables for meals, games, or relaxing outdoors * **8x12 shaded structure** for gear storage or shade during the day * Plenty of space for multiple tents or small camper setups **No water or electricity** – You must bring your own supplies. This is true primitive camping, so come prepared. **Unmatched Location:** * —a world-class dark sky zone where you can see the **Milky Way with the naked eye** * **15 minutes to Terlingua Ghost Town** – Explore this quirky desert town full of history, art, and local flavor * Only 20 minutes from the entrance to Big Bend National Park** – Hike, float the Rio Grande, or explore the Chisos Mountains **Additional Info:** * Pack in, pack out – Help us keep the land wild and clean * Perfect for small groups, stargazers, and desert lovers * No RV hookups or generators – quiet camping only
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$16
 / night
95%
(1191)

Paisano Azul Ranch

16 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Study Butte, TX
Paisano Azul Ranch is on 30 acres located by Terlingua Creek. The property is just minutes from the Terlingua Ghost Town and a short 3 mile drive to the Big Bend National park. Come pitch your tent or park your camper amid the peaceful desert hillside with views of plateaus that lead to the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. There is a fire pit on site for you to toast marshmallows or cozy up near, and you can enjoy a bite to eat at the picnic table provided at each site. The picnic tables are placed beneath shade sails. There are two nice and new desert tan flushing Porta-Potties on-site, as well as showers for guests to use. These come in handy after a long day hiking. We hope you'll enjoy the beautiful open sky sunsets, sunrises, and stargazing as much as we do. We are located just 3 miles from the entrance to Big Bend National Park. There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore - you can hike, bike, canoe camp; kayak, off-road, swim, go horseback riding, visit hot springs, as well as visit restaurants, galleries, and listen to great music in Terlingua. There is something for everyone to feel free to bring the whole family. DIRECTIONS: Once you are on Road Runner Circle, go past the house on the left with the Christmas lights on. Please continue down the road and follow the road around the curve to the left. The campsites will be on the left and side behind the rock walls. The campsite number that is booked is the campsite you will stay in. Additional details to note: - We now have an above ground pool to keep cool in during the summer! Covered with a shade sail the water stays nice and chilly. ($10 fee/person) - You can stay connected if you'd like to, as cell reception and wifi are both available by the showers. Feel free to unplug during your stay though. - Seeing other campers on your trip at the campsite is very standard, as the sites are far enough apart to feel like they are yours, but they are not private. - Non potable water is provided on-site. We have an artisan well on property that has been certified as drinkable. The showers and non potable water is located approximately 1/4 mile from campsites 1-7. Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we look forward to your stay.
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$39
 / night
Booked 3 times

Temple of the Bird

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Terlingua, TX
Terlingua's only Hostel. Walking distance to all things in the Historic Ghost Town. We ofer private rooms, a bunk room, primitive campsites and small motorhome sites. Huge communal area with a large bar, well appointed kitchen, maybe the best bathrooms/showers in the area, and weekly music concerts. Focusing on creating a strong community, social gatherings, including pot luck and fundraisers, and celebrating music, Willie Nelson and all things middle figered. As I tell everyone, no need to wave with all your offensive fingers when it only takes 1 finger to say "I Love You!" We have a lot of fun here and have become a real social spot in this incredible community. When staying here you can expect to meet other travelers and locals alike. If you play music, all the better, as music usually filles the air here. From the house piano to any number of friends who stop by just to jam for a while. We are 21 and up, due to having a bar (BYOB) and all the cheeky artwork around. So bring an instrument, a sense of humor and a middle finger and come experience the magic that is Terlingua, Texas.
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$20
 / night
98%
(683)

Coyote Crossing

24 sites · Tents21 acres · Terlingua, TX
Located in Southern Most Section of Terlingua Ranch, within eyesight of the Mexican Border, National, and State Parks. Easy to find, just across from Willow Mountain, one of the most photograph natural features in Big Bend. Traveling highway 118 you will see the Entrance at address 53420, just north 1 mile of the outfitters and gas station. Every night the coyotes would cross the road and come for a visit..Thus the name Coyote Crossing.. With dreams of a tiny home and campground, we continue to improve on the land every day and love to share it with others. When arriving at night it will be very dark.. very few lights in use, dark sky's are protected in Big Bend.. so it may be hard to find. but we are directly on the highway on the west side of 118. Trash Dumpster up front for your use. No collecting rocks, cactus or wood to burn... NO TRACE, leave it as you find it..
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$19
 / night
98%
(1214)

Goat Pens, Cigar Springs Ranch

50 sites · RVs, Tents600 acres · Study Butte, TX
This central location provides an ideal basecamp close to the Terlingua Ghost Town and both Big Bend State and National Parks. The unique geology and topography of the Goat Pens made this a popular movie set and many westerns were filmed here in the 80's and 90's. Come out and enjoy seclusion, peace and quiet, awesome scenery with sunrises and sunsets to die for. All while still being able to easily take advantage of the area's other attractions. The Goat Pens includes an outdoor events venue that hosts concerts, stargazing parties, festivals and weddings. The Goat Pens also has the only drive-in movie theater in the Big Bend area. Send a text or check The Goat Pens Facebook page (@goatpens) for information and dates of events. The Goat Pens of Cigar Springs Ranch is a beautiful part of the ranch. It is well known for its scenery and unique topography. The Goat Pens served as a set location for many westerns filmed during the 1980's and 90's. Remarkable beauty, easy access, centrally located, seclusion, peace and quiet. All add up to an unforgettable vacation experience.
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$40
 / night
96%
(14)

Camping Under the Stars

5 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Terlingua, TX
Im 3rd generation Terlingua. My grandmother who started this buisness before she passed in 2008 was nicknamed JoMomma so that what im calling my campground and RV park. Jomommas!Learn more about this land:Desert camping under the milky-way in the Terlingua Ghost Town. Jomommas Rv Park and Camping Under The Stars is recognized as a Dark sky's friendly location by McDonald's observatory, as well as being an ideal star viewing location in 2021 receiving recommendations from Earthsky Organization and the International Darksky Association. We are popular with star gazers and photographers alike. Camping Under The Stars is : An authentic Terlingua experiance just like the locals used to do for years. Enjoy the amaizing views and rest under the dark texas skys, all within walking distance of food and live music in the heart of the Terlingua Ghost Town. We make a great place to have as your home base for your dailey adventures into either Big Bent National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park.
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$33.25
 / night
98%
(182)

Cieloscuro

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Terlingua, TX
IF YOU WILL BE STAYING 3 NIGHTS OR LONGER, ASK ME FOR A DISCOUNT CODE!! We offer a uniquely secluded setting with stunning views of the Chisos Mountains. Located just 7 miles from the entrance to Big Bend National Park, and 10 miles from the visitors' center at Big Bend Ranch State Park, it is a perfect base from which to explore all the hiking, boating, and scenic beauty that West Texas is known for. The arts, history, and entertainment of Terlingua Ghost Town are less than 2 miles away. Like most ruins in the Ghost Town, my stone house was built in the early 1900s to house a miner’s family from the nearby Rainbow Mine. I bought the property in 1986 and began restoring and rebuilding. In 2019 I retired here from NYC and began exploring possibilities for sustainable tourism. West Texas is one of the best places in the United States to view the Milky Way (both Big Bend parks are certified as International Dark Sky parks). We use shielded LED lighting around buildings and pathways to cut down on light pollution and optimize stargazing opportunities for our astrotourists. And we are applying for dark sky certification from the Texan By Nature program. Bear in mind that this is the desert, in all its rugged glory. There are critters, rocks, plants with thorns, slippery slopes, sink holes, rusted artifacts and broken glass from decades long past. Bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight, and stay on the paths! We may eventually add a few more sites and expand our amenities, but our intention is always to provide remote, low-density accommodation for folks who are respectful of the land.
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$46
 / night

Other options near Big Bend Ranch State Park

Camping in Big Bend Ranch State Park guide

Overview

About

Set in far west Texas next to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park spans more than 300,000 acres of rugged mountains, dramatic canyons, and high desert terrain. Raft, paddle, float, or fish the Rio Grande River, which winds its way throughout the largest state park in Texas. And don't miss the scenic drive along FM 170 (River Road), which parallels the Rio Grande. The park also offers 238 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, an incredible diversity of wildlife, a network of cattle ranches, and hundreds of archaeological sites. There’s plenty of space for campers, with one bunkhouse, more than two dozen drive-in primitive sites, equestrian sites, and a whole backcountry open to hike-in camping.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for RVs: The Madera Canyon Campsite is one of the few areas accessible to RVs, offering picnic tables, fire rings, self-composting toilets, and easy river access.
  • Best for groups: The Arenosa Campsite offers space for 12, shaded picnic tables, fire rings, primitive toilets, and access to the river and several trails, including Closed Canyon.
  • Best for comfort: The only lodging in the park, the Sauceda Bunkhouse offers single beds, indoor plumbing, and electricity, but no heat or A/C.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Most campgrounds only offer one or two sites. To ensure the campsite of your choice, make a reservation as soon as they become available, five months in advance.
  2. If you have flexibility in your schedule, time your stay during the week or non-holiday period for fewer crowds.
  3. Backcountry hike-in campsites are available on a walk-up basis.

When to go

Spring and fall are the best times to visit. Temperatures in the summer can be dangerously hot, reaching over 130°F during the day and still at dangerous levels after sunset. March is a good time, when temperatures are still bearable and cactus start to bloom. Public hunts are held in the park during fall and winter. It can also get to near freezing at night during the winter months.

Know before you go

  • Permits are required for use of park facilities and to spend the night. Special use permits required for backcountry access and to fish. Obtain permits at Barton Warnock Visitor Center (east entrance), Sauceda Ranger Station (interior), or Fort Leaton State Historic Site (west entrance).
  • The Sauceda Ranger Station is 27 miles on a rugged, dirt road from FM170. RVs and trailers are not recommended. Other than FM170, roads are gravel, with some requiring a high clearance four-wheel drive.
  • There is very little shade. Be sure to bring lots of water and sun protection. All water from spring sources must be filtered or treated before use.
  • There is no gas in the park. Fill up in Lajitas, Terlingua, or Presidio before entering.
  • Ground fires are prohibited. Fires must be in a fire pan, with ashes extinguished and disposed of in garbage cans at the entrance or at Sauceda headquarters. You need to bring your own wood, as gathering firewood is prohibited.
  • Cell service is very spotty to non-existent in the park.

    96%
    78 ratings · 11 reviews
    1. Big Bend Ranch State Park