Many campers request specific sites based on the sunrise or sunset views visible there. Many of these backroad areas are single sites, giving campers a private camping experience. Backpackers in the Chisos Mountains can choose from forty-two designated campsites . Some are surrounded by trees deep in Boot Canyon, while others lie in fairly open Laguna Meadow. Some are perched high near the South Rim, while others sit lower and closer to the trailhead.
Some sites have spectacular views, while others are more sheltered and protected.
Backpackers in the desert have the freedom to choose their own campsites, as there are no designated sites for backpackers there, but it can be a real challenge to find a flat, clear spot large enough to accommodate a sleeping bag. The desert may look barren from a distance, but you ll find a surprising amount of vegetation when you try to find an open area for a campsite. With few exceptions, river runners can camp almost anywhere along the Rio Grande. Like desert backpackers, they can select their own campsites, although sheer cliffs and dense river cane limit the camping options in many areas. Regardless of where or how you camp, you ll find that sleeping out adds another dimension to a trip to Big Bend.