Chisos Mountains Lodge

The Chisos Basin Road is 6 miles long.

Chisos Basin Road 6 miles (10km)source

The Chisos Mountains Lodge, run by Aramark, sits in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet.

operated by Aramark, is nestled within the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet elevation.source

The Chisos Mountains Lodge is open year-round and is the only lodging inside Big Bend National Park.

The lodge is open year-round, and is the only lodging available within Big Bend National Park.source

The lodge has 72 rooms, all non-smoking, located near the Basin's dining, stores and visitor center.

All 72 rooms are non-smoking and located near our on-site dining, stores and visitor center.source

Lodging options range from hotel and motel rooms to the Roosevelt Stone Cottages.

We have a variety of lodging options for our guests from our hotel and motel to our popular Roosevelt Stone Cottages.source

The Window Trail's Chisos Basin trailhead starts from a paved walkway near the Chisos Basin Store.

The Chisos Basin trailhead begins from a paved walkway near the Chisos Basin Storesource

The Basin Convenience Store is on the lodge property, a short walk from all the rooms.

Located on Chisos Mountains Lodge property, short walking distance from all lodging accommodations.source

The lodge operator says the Chisos Mountains Lodge dining room and bar are closed for the foreseeable future.

Chisos Mountains Lodge Dining Room and Bar are closed for the foreseeable future.source

The lodge says the Basin Store and the Chisos Basin food truck remain open.

The Basin Store and Chisos Basin Food Truck will remain open for your convenience.source

The Basin Convenience Store sells gifts and souvenirs, groceries, snacks and drinks, ice and camping supplies.

We offer gifts and souvenirs, groceries, snacks and beverages, ice machines and camping supplies.source

The lodge's busy season runs from October to early January and from mid-February through the end of May.

Our busy season extends from October to early January and mid-February through the end of May.source

Big Bend's busy season is generally November through April, and park lodging is often full on 3-day holiday weekends, Thanksgiving week, the Christmas season and mid-January through mid-April.

Big Bend's busy season is generally November through April, and the park camping and lodging is often full to capacity during 3-day holiday weekends, Thanksgiving week, the Christmas holiday season, and mid-January through mid-Aprilsource

The lodge operates year-round, with a 2-night minimum stay from April 19 to May 30.

Operating Season: Year-round (2-night stay minimum April 19 - May 30)source

Cancelling or changing more than 72 hours before arrival gets a full refund; inside 72 hours before 4:00 PM local time on the arrival date, the full deposit is forfeited.

Cancellations/changes made more than 72 hours prior to the arrival date will receive a full refund. Cancellations/changes made less than 72 hours prior to 4:00 PM local time on arrival date will forfeit the full deposit.source

A deposit equal to the first night's stay holds a reservation, the balance is due at check-in, and checks are not accepted.

An advance deposit equal to the first night's stay is required to hold a reservation. Payment of the remainder of the balance is due at the time of check-in. Checks are not accepted.source

Stays of 10 or more nights need a deposit of two nights' stay.

Any 10+ night stay will require a deposit totaling two nights' stay to confirm the reservation.source

Casa Grande Rooms are guest rooms suited to families or small groups.

Casa Grande Rooms Guest rooms perfect for families or small groups with great access to outdoor adventures.source

Rio Grande Motel Rooms are motel-style units suited to solo travelers or couples.

Rio Grande Motel Rooms Our motel style units are perfect for solo or couple travelers with great access to outdoor activities.source

A rollaway bed cannot be placed in the Emory Peak Lodge rooms.

Due to limited space and for guest safety, we are unable to place a rollaway bed in the Emory Peak Lodge rooms.source

The lodge has five Roosevelt Stone Cottages.

Stay in one of our five cozy stone cottages while exploring Big Bend.source

The VIP Roosevelt Stone Cottage has a covered porch.

VIP Roosevelt Stone Cottage Nestled in nature, our VIP Roosevelt Stone Cottage is the perfect getaway. Enjoy the views from the covered porch.source

ADA rooms have one double bed and a full bathroom on the ground floor, with shower chairs or a roll-in shower, grab bars and wheelchair-accessible doors.

ADA 1 Double Bed Rooms Amenities : One double bed and full bathroom Rooms are located on the ground floor Shower chairs available or roll-in shower Grab bars in the bathroom Doors that are wheelchair accessible.source

Lodge rooms have a coffee maker, mini-fridge, microwave and hair dryer; ADA accessible rooms are offered, and cribs and rollaway beds are available on request.

Room Amenities ADA Accessible Rooms Coffee Maker Mini-Fridge Microwave Hair Dryer Cribs and Rollaway Beds Available Upon Requestsource

Lodge rooms have no televisions or phones.

our rooms do not have televisions or phones.source

Guests may not use grills, electric skillets or other cooking appliances inside or outside the units.

Lodging Notice: Please do not use grills, electric skillets, or other cooking appliances inside or outside the units.source

The Big Bend Chuck Wagon food truck sits behind the old restaurant building, with limited outdoor seating on the restaurant patio and at picnic tables around the Basin.

It is located behind the old restaurant building. Hours may vary and parking is available. Outdoor seating is limited on the restaurant patio and at picnic tables around the Basin.source

Free Wi-Fi is available at the lodge gift shop, the patio and the Basin Visitor Center.

Free Wi-Fi is available at our gift shop, patio and Basin Visitor Center.source

There are ATMs in the Basin Camp Store and the Panther Junction gas station store.

There are ATMs located in the Basin Camp Store as well as the Panther Junction Gas Station store.source

A mail drop and stamps are available at the Chisos Basin Store.

A mail drop and stamps are also available at the Chisos Basin Store.source

NPS lists the Chisos Basin restaurant as closed.

The Restaurant is CLOSEDsource

The Park Service's concession page lists the Chisos Mountain Restaurant as closed.

Chisos Mountain Restaurant CLOSEDsource

The Big Bend Chuck Wagon serves Americana food.

Enjoy Americana flavors and fuel up at our Big Bend Chuck Wagons while exploring Big Bend National Park.source

From Study Butte it is 26 miles east to park headquarters.

TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles east to park headquarters)source

Big Bend's park headquarters is at Panther Junction, elevation 3,750 feet.

Major weather forecasts for Big Bend National Park only list conditions at Park Headquarters/Panther Junction (elevation 3,750').source

The Panther Junction gas station and store, near the Panther Junction Visitor Center, is about 10 miles from the lodge.

Approximately 10 miles from Chisos Mountains Lodge , near the Panther Junction Visitor Centersource

Terlingua is a small town 30 miles west of Panther Junction with lodging, restaurants, a hardware store and a small grocery.

Terlingua (a small town 30 miles west from PJ) has a state-accredited high school (no bus service), lodging, restaurants, hardware store, small grocery and gift stores, churches and a bank.source

The lodge's room page lists check-in at 5:00pm and check-out at 10:00am Central Time for May 1 to September 30, and license plate information is required at check-in.

May 1 – September 30 Check-In : 5:00pm Central Time. License Plate information is required at Check-in. Check-Out : 10:00am Central Time.source

The Chisos Basin Road is not recommended for trailers longer than 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet because of sharp curves and grades as steep as 15%.

The road is not recommended for trailers longer than 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet due to its sharp curves and steep grades (as much as 15%).source

From Alpine take 118 south, or from Marathon take 385 south, into the park, then follow directions to the Basin.

From Alpine, TX: Take 118 south to Big Bend National Park. Follow directions to Basin. From Marathon: Take 385 south to Big Bend National Park. Follow directions to Basin.source

The road into the Basin has several hairpin turns on the way to the lodge.

Please be cautious driving into the Basin. There are several hairpin corner turns leading to the Lodge.source

There is no public transportation to or within Big Bend National Park.

There is no public transportation to, or within Big Bend National Park.source

The Window View Trail is an easy, wheelchair-accessible 0.3-mile round trip from the Chisos Basin Trailhead and a good place to watch sunset.

Window View Trail Easy 0.3 miles round trip Begin at Chisos Basin Trailhead Wheelchair accessible Perfect place to enjoy a big bend sunsetsource

Pets are allowed only in Roosevelt Stone Cottages 101, 102 and 103.

Pets are only permitted in Roosevelt Stone Cottages 101, 102, and 103.source

The lodge charges a one-time pet fee of $50 plus tax.

A one-time pet fee of $50 +tax applies.source

Pets may not be left unattended in the room, shut in a vehicle, or taken on hiking trails.

Pets are not to be left unattended in the room, closed in a vehicle, or on hiking trails.source

Pets are not allowed on trails, off roads, or on the river in Big Bend.

Pets are not allowed on trails, off roads, or on the river.source

There is no kennel service in Big Bend National Park.

There is no kennel service in the park.source

Pet boarding services are in Terlingua and Alpine.

Pet boarding services are located in Terlingua and Alpinesource

All rooms and indoor public areas are non-smoking; smoking is allowed outside at least 25 feet from any door or window.

All rooms are non-smoking, including balconies and porches. All indoor public facilities are non-smoking. Smoking is permitted outside at least 25 feet away from any door or window.source

Smoking is prohibited on all Chisos Mountains trails.

Smoking is prohibited on all Chisos Mountains trails.source

The lodge's policies page lists check-in at 4:00 pm and check-out at 11:00 am.

Check-In : 4:00 pm Check-Out : 11:00 amsource

A late check-out past 2 pm Central time is charged the same as one night's stay.

Any late checkouts past 2 pm Central time are subject to a charge equal to a single night’s stay.source

The lodge said it would operate with limited room availability in spring and summer 2026.

For Spring and Summer 2026, Chisos Mountains Lodge will operate with limited room availability.source

The lodge expected a return to full capacity by September 2026.

A return to full capacity is anticipated by September 2026.source

NPS: the planned construction of the Chisos Mountains Lodge and other Chisos Basin facility improvements, originally scheduled to begin in May 2026, will not proceed as planned.

The planned construction of the Big Bend National Park Chisos Mountains Lodge and other Chisos Basin facility improvements, originally scheduled to begin in May 2026, will not proceed as planned.source

Because of the construction delay, the previously planned closures of the Chisos Basin will not take place.

Due to the construction delay, previously planned closures of the Chisos Basin will not take place, ensuring continued access to the park's facilities and breathtaking landscapes.source

December through February can bring cold weather, temperatures in the thirties and occasional snow.

The winter months (December, January, and February) can bring cold weather, dropping temperatures down into the thirties, and occasionally bringing snow.source

Cell service is very spotty across Big Bend; fairly reliable service exists in the Chisos Basin area (Verizon only) and near Panther Junction.

Cell service is very spotty throughout the entire Big Bend area. Areas with fairly reliable service include the Chisos Basin area (only Verizon), and near Panther Junction.source

The Chisos Basin has limited cell-phone coverage.

The Basin has limited cell-phone coverage.source

The main Chisos Mountains Lodge building was constructed in 1964.

Constructed in 1964, the main Chisos Mountains Lodge is an important part of the park’s history.source

The main lodge was built on clay soils, and settling has damaged its foundation, roof, walls, windows and building systems.

Unfortunately, the Lodge was built on clay soils and soon suffered as the foundation moved and settled. Over the years, the settling caused significant damage to the foundation, roof, walls, windows, and building systems.source

The lodge gives no refunds for power outages or water limits or outages.

Please note that refunds will not be issued due to power outages or water limitations/outages.source

Several rooms booked together will likely not be close to each other.

If you book multiple room reservations, we will likely not be able to have all your rooms close together due to limited room types.source

Online reservations and information for the lodge are at www.chisosmountainslodge.com.

Online Reservations and Information: www.chisosmountainslodge.comsource

The Park Service lists (855)-765-1324 for lodge reservations and 432-477-2291 for general information.

(855)-765-1324 432-477-2291 for general information.source

The lodge recommends booking at least 6 months ahead for most rooms and 1-2 years ahead for the Roosevelt cottages.

We recommend booking at least 6 months in advance for most of our lodging. For the Roosevelt cottages, it is recommended to book 1-2 years in advance as they book quickly.source

NPS: start the Window Trail early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.

It is important to start this hike early in the morning to avoid hiking during the heat of the day.source

The Lost Mine Trail's small parking lot holds 15 vehicles and regularly fills between 8 and 9 a.m. from November through April.

The small parking lot holds 15 vehicles and regularly fills between 8 am and 9 am from November through April (peak season).source

NPS: spring is typically warm and pleasant and is the park's busiest season.

Spring is typically warm and pleasant and is the park's busiest season.source

Chisos Basin average highs run from 59°F in January to 88°F in June, and average lows from 37°F in January to 67°F in July.

Chisos Basin Elevation 5,401' Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Avg High °F 59 63 70 77 84 88 87 87 80 74 65 61 Avg Low °F 37 41 46 53 62 66 67 66 61 53 45 41source

NPS: Big Bend's rainy season runs from July through September, with locally heavy thunderstorms and some flash flooding possible.

The rainy season runs from July through September, with locally heavy thunderstorms and some flash flooding possible.source

Free public Wi-Fi is available at the Chisos Mountains Lodge.

Free, public WiFi is available at all park visitor centers , the Chisos Mountains Lodge, and the Rio Grande Village Store.source

Occasional power outages happen because of the park's remote location in Brewster County.

Due to the remote location of Big Bend National Park in Brewster County, occasional power outages can occur because of local or county-wide issues that are beyond our control.source

Water main breaks, water restrictions and other supply problems in the park can limit the water available.

In addition, water main breaks, implementation of water restrictions, and other water supply issues in Big Bend National Park can impact the amount of and availability of water.source

Summer heat begins in May: the desert floor is usually well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit by late morning, and the Chisos Mountains can be 10-15 degrees cooler.

Summer heat begins in May. It is extremely hot . Temperatures vary greatly between the desert floor, which is usually well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit by late morning, and the Chisos Mountains, which can be 10-15 degrees cooler.source

Many GPS and map apps do not work well in this remote area, so carry paper maps.

Be aware that many GPS and app mapping services do not work well within this remote area. Some services may recommend incorrect/dangerous roads and itineraries. Be prepared to use paper maps to navigate.source

The Chisos Mountains Lodge restaurant building sits at the base of Casa Grande peak.

The Chisos Mountains Lodge restaurant is located at the base of Casa Grande peak.source

The main lodge building has a modern style, a large open interior and big windows that frame the mountains and the Window.

Generations of visitors have enjoyed the building’s modern aesthetic, large open interior, and expansive windows that frame the surrounding mountains and the classic view of the Window.source

Big Bend was designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park in 2012.

In 2012, the park was designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park.source

The Park Service's concession page lists the Chisos Mountains Lodge front desk as closed, effective October 1, 2026, and points to the lodge website or 432-477-2291.

Aramark Operating Hours Effective October 1, 2026 Chisos Mountains Lodge Front desk CLOSED. www.chisosmountainslodge.com or 432-477-2291 for more information.source

The Park Service's concession page lists the lodge gift shop as closed.

Lodge Gift Shop CLOSEDsource

All room rates are based on double occupancy.

All room rates are based on double occupancy.source

The lodge's room page lists an extra-person charge of $15 per extra person.

An additional person charge of $15 applies per extra person.source

The lodge's policies page lists an extra-person charge of $11 plus tax per extra person.

An additional person charge of $11 +tax applies per extra person.source

The last major grocery and hardware shopping is in Alpine, Fort Stockton and Del Rio.

The last major shopping areas (grocery and hardware stores) are Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Del Rio.source

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