Backcountry Camping: Paint Gap Road – Big Bend

If you want to do some camping away from the main camp ground at Chisos Basin, but you don’t want to go too far, Paint Gap is a good spot. You can even get to the first three campsites in a car. You’ll need a four wheel drive with good off-road tires to go much further though.

There is a bit of traffic on the road since it’s so close to the main campground, but it gets light once you get to the rougher parts of the road.

To get to the entrance, just head west from Panther Junction (Park Headquarters) a few miles. It’ll be the second road on your right.

There are four campsites total on Paint Gap Road. The first two that you’ll encounter are big enough for a small RV and will easily fit a tent.

Paint Gap #1

(29.373350, -103.293546)

Accommodates 1 vehicle and 4 people

Paint Gap #2

(29.388277, -103.302788)

Accommodates 2 vehicles and 6 people

When we came through here taking pictures for this post, there were rabbits everywhere.

Paint Gap #3

(29.388889, -103.303331)

Accommodates 1 vehicle and 4 people

Campsite three is a little rockier, but you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to it.

If you’re in a car, this is the last stop. The road going forward gets very rough with large cobbles and some sharp rocks. Street tires wouldn’t hold up very long here. If you’re in a low clearance vehicle, you could very easily puncture your oil pan.

It doesn’t look bad from this sign, but you won’t get far before the road gets rough, and there aren’t any turnarounds.

If you’ve got the vehicle and tires for it. This is a great drive.

Paint Gap #4

(29.397397, -103.304253)

Accommodates 2 vehicles and 6 people

Once you get a little way down, you’ll see campsite four on the right.

This is a good tent camping spot. You’ll want to bring along plenty of padding to lay on since there are a ton of rocks out here.

After campsite four, you’ll find the ruins of an old homestead next to a small canyon that had water in it when we passed through.

This is pretty much the end of the road, but its a great spot to take a break, hang out and look at the amazing colors of the Tornillo Creek area.

Unfortunately, my little camera just doesn’t do it any justice at all. You’ll just have to go out there and see it for yourself to truly appreciate it.

Don’t forget, before heading out there, you need to get a backcountry use permit prior to using these sites.

Related Posts:

• Backcountry Campsites – Big Bend National Park
• Big Bend National Park Camping
• Big Bend National Park – Main Page
• Big Bend National Park Hiking Trails
• Big Bend National Park Maps – The Complete List
• Desert Hiking Clothing Checklist

Prior to heading out to the backcountry in Big Bend, we recommend throwing a copy of the Trails Illustrated Big Bend Map in your backpack. The map provided at the entrance station is helpful, but not detailed enough for getting off the pavement and out into the boonies. It’s also helpful to have a copy of Hiking Big Bend, by Laurence Parent, if you plan to do any hiking while you’re out there.