Most associate spring break with beaches in Florida—but Texas has its own spring break capital. As the weather warms up, expect big crowds at Big Bend National Park. The Park Service has issued a warning: Big Bend is already experiencing record visitation and those who plan on spending spring break 2024 in the park will need to plan ahead and be prepared.
All campgrounds filled up every day since February
Prepared for what? Since early last month, all of Big Bend’s campgrounds, and nearly all of its primitive campsites, have filled up every day. These aren’t just late-comers. Reports indicate these spots are slammed before noon.
“We expect another extremely busy spring break this year,” said Chief of Interpretation & Visitor Services Tom VandenBerg. “Many people are making the long journey to this remote park, only to find that many other people have also planned to do the same thing and that all camping sites and lodging options are already reserved.”
All of Big Bend’s campgrounds require reservations. Most sites are reservable six months in advance. A few sites can be reserved two weeks in advance. You know the drill: Visit www.recreation.gov. As far as sites for spring break time, most of them are already booked up. Coming without an RV? The only lodging in Big Bend is at Chisos Mountain Lodge. Yep, it’s already booked up, but last-minute cancellations are possible.
Big Bend parking pain
Spring break also means tight parking at Big Bend. Parking at the Lost Mine Trail, Chisos Basin, Hot Springs, Boquillas Port of Entry, Boquillas Canyon, and Santa Elena Canyon Trail will be tight, and will probably mean waiting. When parking is full, rangers will establish “one-in, one-out” traffic control measures in these areas. Visitors should have alternate itineraries planned.
“More than ever, people are seeking out the qualities of this special place. Spring is a beautiful time to visit Big Bend, but also the busiest. Many are surprised at the crowds and disappointed to find that there is nowhere to stay,” continued VandenBerg. “We wish to encourage people to also visit during other times of the year to maximize enjoyment of Big Bend, and the remote sense of peacefulness that it is known for.”
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Thanks, R&T, for the heads up on another area to try and avoid due to the crowds
Boquillas is a wonderful little village. I’d wait until late summer or fall to visit. -The same with the other camp grounds mentioned.
Good to know, thanks !
Yep, shoulder season is a better choice. Summer too, and not as hot in the Chisos Mtns as at Rio Grande Village-it can hit 115 degrees! If you don’t like crowds, avoid Big Bend at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break 🙂
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 I had no idea that this park is such a favored spot for springtime visits. Wow! Safe travels! 🙂
We stayed in Chisos basin and Cottonwood campgrounds last week. We observed sites at both that went empty. A real shame for those that were denied because of “no availability “. At Chisos, we were in a truck camper and by shear luck, got a site that we could level ourselves. That would not have been the case in many of them. As we always do, we walked the whole cg recording the sites that would work for us in the future. Chisos is definitely worth the effort to get in!
Wait till summer. Big Bend is hot and dry. The Aliner club has stayed at the “Lost Alaskan” campground in Alpine. Very nice.