When it's busy, it's really busy
Big Bend's "busy" season is generally from November through April. However, the park is often full to capacity for six weeks each year: Thanksgiving week, Christmas/New Years, and the Spring Break season during the middle weeks of March. These extra-busy periods can often be frustrating to visitors, as lodging and camping both in the park and outside of it are often fully booked. In order to maximize your visit, it is best to plan ahead and have alternatives.

The information on this page is intended to help you plan ahead for a trip to Big Bend at one of these busy times. If you have questions or comments related to the information presented here, please email us!

General Information | Lodging and Camping Resources | Backcountry Tips | Other

General Information
Entrance Fee Information
What do when arriving after dark
How far is it from....
Your Safety
Things to know before you come
Frequently Asked Questions

Lodging and Camping Resources
The resource in shortest supply in Big Bend during a peak period is camping and lodging. The demand for campsites and overnight lodging WILL be far greater than the number of campsites and rooms available within the park. Once the developed campgrounds and designated backcountry campsites are full, the only other camping option in the park will be backpacking in remote desert areas away from roads and trails. Advance reservations for camping & lodging (when possible) are highly recommended.

Lodging and camping options outside the park
Developed campgrounds in the park
Developed campground reservations

Backcountry Tips
The peak periods occur at times of year when Big Bend's immense backcountry is more comfortable to access (largely due to cooler weather). While the backcountry offers nearly limitless opportunities, it also provides greater challenges; backcountry campsites offer few amenities, and the desert backcountry environment can severely test the unprepared. 

During these busy periods a Backcountry Permit Office is opened in the back of the Panther Junction Visitor Center to deal with the high demand for back country permits. Upcoming scheduled persiod for the bacountry permit office are:

A backcountry expedition of any type is aided by advance planning; the park website contains extensive resources:

Types of backcountry use
Backcountry regulations
Getting a backcountry permit
Backcountry Use Permit FeeHigh Chisos Campsites
Bringing large groups into the backcountry
Primitive Roadside Camping
Backcountry Road Conditions