kavm
Senior Member
I would be very careful in selecting a Chisos Basin site. Use Google satellite images if you can, plus campsite review sites to get a good feel for each site size and configuration.
For example, you mentioned 17. I don't know what the Recreation.gov website says about 17 but I recall that the parking spot is very short. There is split parking for this site and you can park your tow vehicle on the other side of the road, near site 18.
Again, from my memory, site 18 has a substantial parking area and would fit your TA5.0.
But it has been 3 years since I was at CB - might be returning in Spring 2024 - but I don't remember the specifics of each site anymore. Other folks on this Forum may have more useful information. You might consider starting a topic about campsites at Chisos Basin.
The RV vs Trailer size is meant to differentiate between one piece units and towed units. It sounds like they think - for example - that a bumper pulled E21 can fit in the space when disconnected from the tow. There is informal parking for tow vehicles in the near-by amphitheater parking lot (ask the host).
Since you mentioned starting your search in early July then I assume you plan on camping in December. In that case, you might consider camping at Rio Grande Village campground (not the Rio Grande Village RV Park - private). RGV CG with its 100 sites is much bigger, flatter, and a good place for a first time visit, no worries about size and access. Then, while at the Park you can take a day to explore the other campgrounds and make some notes for your next visit. Also, check out some of the primitive, back road camping sites (also reservation only). Surprising enough - a few of them are actually suitable for trailers. Isolation at those back country drive up sites is intense - dark and silent. You will be the only humans for miles after dark.
Hi Alan,
Thank you so so much your your detailed advice and insights. We are indeed planning to visit in December. We might split our time between the two campsites to see different sections of the park. Although driving is fine - our preference is to maximizing our hiking time and I thought Chisos basin might be the better hiking area.
I will try to research the back country sites. Adventurous as we are in our hiking, we normally prefer to be on the campgrounds. So, if we get good campsite, we'd prefer that.
Once again, many many thanks for your fantastic advice. It has been instrumental is altering our planned course to CA towards Big Bend.