Just Tried to Reserve Basin Site for October....

[SA Bill]

It's true....the reservation season now starts in November instead of October. I went on-line at the 6 months out period for reservations and the site I'd like shows to be available. Couldn't reserve on-line. Called the 877 number and listened to the menu choices. Got through to a real person and tried to book a site for 4 days starting Oct 7. He put me on hold and came back shortly and told me the reservation period starts after Nov 14 or 15. Soooo...for an October trip, I'll have to cross my fingers and hope I can find an empty site that has room for me to set up the telescope and that's not right next to one of the bathroom lights. That's the only reason I really like to make a site specific reservation...I know what sites are good for star gazing. Guess it's back to circling the campground in the early morning to lay claim to a good spot opening up. <Sigh>
  Bill

[TheWildWestGuy]

Sounds like SOP to me.  I always try to get #46 but anything on that side of the "loop" is good.  The no-generator zone is good also but tends to get a lot of turn-around traffic.  It's always a guess what is open and the sites with "reserved" posted on them are NOT necessarily reserved for that night - could be for some future day later in the week.   It's confusing and only the campground host seems to know for sure what is really open.  In October it usually is not full so you should be able to get at least something the first night and then walk around and check with whomever is in #46 to see when they are leaving so you can grap their site ASAP.
Good Luck... TWWG

[SHANEA]

October 2006, when a large group of us was there for the wedding of the year  :D , the campground was pretty dang full and I had to make the loop many times with R2D2 to find a "reasonable" spot.  There were several events going on at the same time - Friends of Big Bend River Run, Friends of Big Bend board meeting, a large motorcycle group, wedding participants, etc.  I don't know, but maybe the BBNHA was also having a board meeting or something.  I know it was VERY crowded that weekend and I was lucky to get a suitable spot.  I really wish you could reserve a certain site specific site 365/24/7 for all back country roadside RGV Castolon and the Basin sites.  It's a real bummer to drive 10-12 hours and get there and not get what you want or find nothing, and have to spend the night on the side of the road until PJ opens up.   I always try to leave early enough to get there while it is still light, but sometimes unforseen things happen on a 600 mile trip - like a blown tire.