January 2013 26
your time driving from place to place. Birdwatching is another popular activity in Big Bend, with US rarities, such as the Blue Throated Hummingbird and Varied Bunting. You can even see birds in the parking lot, such as Canyon Wrens feasting on bugs from car grills in the Chisos Basin. Unexpected Birds fly up from Mexico, and lucky birders may catch glimpses such species as Tufted Flycatcher and the Band Tailed Pigeon. Annual rare bird reports are available at:
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/bird-sightings.htm
To conclude this volume of Park of the
Month, I will discuss camping facilities in
Big Bend. The Chisos Basin Campground is
nestled in the Chisos Mountains at 5,400'
above sea level, and is conveniently locat-
ed near the Basin Village. Campsites have
BBQ grills, picnic tables, and bear-safe food
lockers. restrooms and drinking water are
in easy walking distance from the campsites.
Tent and RV camping is allowed, but trailers
over 20' and RV's over 24' are not allowed
on the Chisos Basin Road that leads to the campground. There are no hookups.
Rio Grande Village campground is located on the east side of the park, in the Rio Grande Village area. This campground is located close to the river, and the area is great for birdwatching. Campsites at Rio Grande Village also have Grills, Picnic
Tables, and bear-safe food lockers, and
drinking water, restrooms, and a dump
cf station are available. Showers and laun-
dry are available nearby in the Rio Grande
Village Store. Tents and RVs up to 40'
are allowed, and some sites have full _________________ hookups. The Cottonwood camp-
ground is on the road to Santa Elena
Canyon, and sites have Grills and tables.
Pit Toilets and drinking water are avail-
able, but there is no dump station.
Cottonwood Campground is quiet and
shady, and Tents and RVs are allowed.
Those are the three developed campgrounds in the park, but there are several backcountry campsites, accessible by dirt roads. There are no restrooms
Cottonwood Campground
NPS Photo
Rio Grande Village Campground
NPS Photo