Big Bend is often considered three parks in one. The park contains river, desert and mountain areas. There are three fully developed campgrounds at Big Bend: Rio Grande Village; Cottonwood and Chisos Basin. Forty-three sites at Rio Grande Village and 26 sites at Chisos Basin may be reserved from Nov. 15 to to April 15 each year. All remaining campsites in these two campgrounds, the entire Cottonwood campground and all sites between April 15 and Nov. 15 are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Back-country camping requires a $10 permit. While in the park you will find many sites to explore, such as the Sotol Vista, Mule Ears Overlook and Tuff Canyon. Activities include hiking, biking, bird watching and picnicking.
Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend, Texas 79834
915-477-2251
nps.gov/bibe
Reservations: recreation.gov
The Amistad National Recreational Area is located on a large lake along the U.S.-Mexican border. Boating, camping and fishing are the most popular activities in the park. The five primitive campgrounds are surrounded by Native American pictographs and other prehistoric rock. Camping by boat is permitted on undeveloped shoreline. All camping in the park is on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be reserved. RV parks and campgrounds with full facilities are located near the park.
Amistad National Recreation Area
4121 Veterans Blvd.
Del Rio, TX 78840
830-775-7491
nps.gov/amis
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is Texas' only legally designated wilderness. It features more than 80 miles of trails as well as one of the finest examples of a fossilized reef. There are two campgrounds: Pine Springs, a simple, desert camping area at the base of a mountain (yes, there is some shade) and the smaller Dog Canyon, in a secluded, forested canyon beneath steep cliff walls. Each has some RV sites, without hookups. Neither has showers.
Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis except for family sites at Pine Springs, which may be reserved up to 60 days in advance.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
400 Pine Canyon Road
Salt Flat, Texas 79847
915-828-3251
nps.gov/gumo
Reservations: recreation.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreational Area is located in the Texas Panhandle.
There are a dozen designated campgrounds, including scenic overlooks, shoreline camping and woodland camping. All are free; sites are on a first-come first-serve basis. Campers may stay for up to 14 days at a time within a 30-day time frame but may stay no more than 60 days each year. The lake offers boating, sailing, water-skiing, scuba diving and swimming.
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 1460
Fritch, Texas 79036
806-857- 3151
nps.gov/lamr
