Rio Grande Village Campground

Why RVers stay here

Rio Grande Village Campground is the National Park Service dry campground in the southeastern corner of Big Bend National Park, Texas, set at roughly 1,850 feet where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the river and the Sierra del Carmen rises across the water in Mexico. It is the flexible traveler's way into Big Bend: around 100 no-hookup sites spread across several loops, with vault toilets, potable water spigots and a dump station. It suits self-contained rigs, tent campers, stargazers and birders who want the raw desert rather than a manicured campground.

There are no hookups here at all; the 25 full-hookup sites next door belong to a separately run concessioner RV park, which is why searching Recreation.gov turns up only this dry campground. Our index lists $16 a night plus the separate park entrance fee, with a six-month booking window and a 14-day release, so check the current policy before you drive in. Site fit varies loop by loop, and some inner-loop spots are tight, so if you have flexibility take a slow lap before committing. October through April is the practical season; summer routinely passes 100 degrees, cell signal is zero on every carrier, and the nearest real town is about 100 miles away.

• ✓The Rio Grande Hot Springs trail is about 2 miles away, a short walk to a 105-degree pool on the riverbank.
• ✓Big Bend holds a Gold Tier International Dark Sky designation, and the open desert here gives a wide horizon for it.
• ✓Javelinas, roadrunners and hundreds of bird species pass through the riparian habitat along the river.
• ✓At $16 a night in our index it is one of the cheapest ways to sleep inside the park.
• ✓The dry loops feel more relaxed than the compact hookup loop next door, and they empty out during the day.

• !No hookups, no showers, no laundry and no cell signal on any carrier; the water system has had pressure problems and boil advisories, so fill tanks at Panther Junction.
• !Brutal heat from May through September makes this a cool-season campground for most RVers.
• !Some inner-loop sites are cramped; site fit is per site, not a blanket limit.