Other State Parks of the Big Bend:

Big Bend Ranch State Park Campsites & Backcountry Use

Use Zones:

Front Country Zone is defined as those lands within approximately one-quarter mile either side of the designated 2WD roads. All street legal and licensed vehicles are permitted in this zone. Overnight use may occur only at designated locations.
Primitive Road Zone is defined as lands within one-quarter mile either side of designated 4WD or 2WD high clearance roads. Motorized vehicle access to this zone is restricted to street legal and licensed vehicles. Overnight use may occur only at designated campsites.
Backcountry Zones are defined as lands that are more than one-quarter mile from publicly accessible roads. Twenty separate zones have been defined. Only non-motorized travel is permitted. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to use designated trails and routes until they are knowledgeable and confident in their familiarity with the park to travel cross-country.

Permits are required for use of Primitive Road and Front Country Campsites and for Backcountry Zone Camping. Day Use visitors are required to obtain a permit for entry in to the park. All vehicles intending to use the 4X4 unmaintained road, are required to obtain and sign an Acknowledgement of Use of Four Wheel Drive vehicles and Motorcycles upon entry into these areas.

Park information and permits for day use and camping may be obtained daily, in person, at three locations:

Sauceda
Park interior
(8am - 4:30pm)
(7am - 4pm from May 17 - August 31)
432-358-4444

Barton Warnock
Visitor Center
Lajitas
(8am - 4:30pm)
432-424-3327
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Presidio
(8am - 4:30pm)
432-229-3613

From the park entrance, there is 27 miles of dirt road to the Sauceda Ranger Station. A human waste bag is required at most camping sites in the park, if you do not have one, you will be required to buy one.

Reservations: Campsite, backcountry, and lodging reservations may be made in advance by calling (512) 389-8919 between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. Permits must be picked up in person.

Road Conditions:

Road conditions are affected by rain and run-off and will vary widely. Check with a ranger for conditions on arrival. Some roads are suitable only for high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. High clearance is considered a minimum of eight inches. If you have any questions about the roads or the suitability of your vehicle, consult a park ranger.

Two-wheel-drive (2WD): main road and some spurs where any highway worthy vehicle, driven responsibly, can access.
Two-wheel-drive, high-clearance (2WDHC): roads where extra clearance is required due to road conditions (obstacles, steep dips, etc.).
Four-wheel-drive (4WD): recommended where extra traction is required on steep, loose or soft ground. Includes All Wheel Drive (AWD).
Four-wheel-drive, high-clearance (4WDHC): primitive roads or routes harsher then 4WD, where passage required vehicles with extra traction, rigid suspension and high clearance.

Vehicle Accessible Camping:

Sites are available in the interior or Big Bend Ranch and along the River Road. Sites include a tent area, picnic table and fire ring. Some interior campsites are still under development and may temporarily lack some of these amenities.

Campers are required to place tents in designated areas only. Desert resources are fragile. All visitors are required to haul out their human waste and pack out all trash. Portable privies are available for purchase at all permit issuing stations. Downed wood is critical to desert ecology. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Visitors may bring their own firewood or purchase it at Sauceda. Charcoal cooking fires and containerized fuel stoves are allowed. Ashes must be packed out or deposited in the fire ring. The maximum stay per permit is 14 nights. Individual campsites have an 8 person and 3 vehicle limit. Group campsites have a 12 person and 5 vehicle limit. Equestrian staging campsites have a 24 person and 12 vehicle limit.

Mostly paved access camping areas are also located along River road (FM 170) at Colorado Canyon, Madera (Monilla) Canyon and at Grassy Banks River Access. The 2 group camping areas along River road, Contrabando and Arenosa, have self-composting toilets. Self-composting toilets are located at Colorado Canyon, Madera Canyon and Grassy Banks.

No other facilities, water/electrical hookups, or dump stations are available. Due to road conditions motor homes and large recreational vehicles may not be able to enter backcountry park areas. Shower and restroom facilities are available at the Visitor’s Center at Sauceda Headquarters. No generators are to be used at the Park unless given prior approval by the Park Manager. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.

Pets are allowed anywhere vehicles are allowed, and within 1/4 mile of publicly accessible roads. Always keep pets on a leash and pick up after them. Never leave pets unattended or allow them to approach wild animals or longhorn cattle.

Preview some of our new vehicle accessible campsites:

Backcountry Zone Camping:

There are no designated campsites in the backcountry zone. Backcountry camping allows overnight visitors to select their own primitive campsite, based upon certain conditions:

At least 1/4 mile from any other existing campsite
At least 300 feet from water sources and prehistoric or historic cultural sites
At least 3/4 mile fromtrailheads or roads

Backcountry campers may use the "cathole" method to dispose of human waste and must pack out all trash. No open fires are allowed due to resource impact; use of containerized fuel stoves is permitted. The maximum stay is 14 nights (total) and seven consecutive days in any one backcountry zone.

Interactive Map of Big Bend Ranch Campsites, Lodging, & Permit Locations.

Go to the Big Bend Ranch Maps page for more map options & downloads.

Note: Property boundaries and site locations are for representation only. Not all private property is shown on map. Visitors should not trespass on private property. Map does not depict all trails and roads. Additional trails and roads are depicted for informational and wayfinding purposes only. This map is provided in conjunction with Google and may contain some roads that are not useable or do not exist . Please check with the park for current road conditions.