The Closest Camping to the South Rim at Big Bend - South Rim 4 Campsite

This is just a quick look around the South Rim 4 Campsite at Big Bend National Park. This is the closest campsite to the rim itself and is only 5 minutes from awesome views anytime of day but especially at sunset. The campsite has a large tent pad that will accommodate several tents, a couple of bear boxes, and is close to a pit toilet.

[@paulh3479]

Thank you so much for your informative videos. I have watched many of them, and I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you so very much!

[@dscottbayer]

Thank you!

[@CameronHall88]

I'm not sure exactly how the area looks post fire. The heart of the fire was right around this campsite.

[@kd5nrh]

@@CameronHall88 I'd say the damage was more centered around the pit toilet. There were charred patches around SR4, but the toilet is just gone, and you can see the bear box where the toilet was clearly from the trail. I was standing pretty much at the bear box in SR4 when I took this: icedrive.net/0/fba3Y4G6EV

[@Patriot-American]

Love to hike Big Bend 👍 Thanks for the view of the campsite and privy, g... 😉😊

[@CameronHall88]

Oh yes ... Privy reviews by Ultralight Outdoors. My next hit series!

[@outdoorstours]

very nice video, interesting and great nature there , new experience! thanks for sharing , Like 22 and full watched! have a great weekend! See you soon again my friend !

[@dennisreames3996]

Had two nights reserved in that site back in March (I think it was), but they closed backcountry camping before we could go.

[@CameronHall88]

Man thats unfortunate. A lot of plans got ruined this year. Hope you get another chance to go to Big Bend soon. This site is nice being so close to the views off the Rim.

[@dennisreames3996]

@@CameronHall88 my daughters and I (and their better halves) are going back in January. This will be our third January trip in a row!

[@CameronHall88]

Awesome. Coming up quick! That can be a nice time of year down there.

[@tangenttrails]

This is a really enjoyable campsite and I look forward to staying there again on future loop trips. It was a shame that the toilet burned to the ground, (only the bear box left), but not a deal breaker by a long shot. Wag Bags are now required for permits.

[@CameronHall88]

The area wasn't horrible the last time we went. The pit toilet was gone as you mentioned. I'm not sure if it's any different after the small fire a week or so ago. The South Rim itself is definitely burnt. There are hardly any shade trees left at all. Hopefully the area will recover quickly. Such a beautiful view from up there.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

I asked for this site when I was there with my daughters but it was taken and now they give out sites according to how many tents are being used. I remember when they didn't even have sites and it was open camping. I guess it's a good thing though since backpacking there has become so popular and it keeps the whole place from being impacted. Not like it used to be though. I hope y'all had a great time there.

[@CameronHall88]

Because of covid, the online reservation system for campsites, and us getting there before they started taking entrance fees, we drove in and didn't have to do anything with rangers. Just show up and backpack. Kind of strange.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

@@CameronHall88 That is strange but it reminds me of the old days

[@ThinkTexas]

Thanks again for another great video. Your videos really help on deciding where to go as we plan forward. We went to Broken Bow for Thanksgiving (first time) and now deciding on where to go between Christmas and New year. Big Bend, Phoenix area or Gila area NM are our normal places to go. After watching your recent videos, maybe Big Bend area will be warmest. Thanks and keep your adventures rolling.

[@CameronHall88]

I appreciate you watching. I've been wanting to explore the Gila area for years but have never driven out that far. Looks like some great backpacking out that way.

[@kd5nrh]

Interesting to see this now, since I was just up there June 6-7, after the fire this spring. Basically about 80% of everything that's dry in this video is now ash. It's much more open around the campsite now, but still good privacy from the trail. There were still green leaves on the tree overhanging the east end of the campsite, and grass was already starting to pop up in the charred areas, enough for a doe and her fawn to come graze within ten feet of where I was eating breakfast in the morning.. Looking at photos from others taken in the last week, there's noticeably more grass, and some of the trees that were lightly scorched are starting to recover. I'm now hoping I can get back this winter and see how the recovery is going, as I suspect we're gong to see a lot of differences as each species reestablishes itself with the brush and dead vegetation burned away.

[@victorvasquez2788]

Just there last week loved it! Yup seen 2 bears hanging out need there aswell. Take bud....

[@CameronHall88]

They must live REAL close to there!

[@ChucoHiker]

I should’ve stayed here during my OML trip (assuming it was open), I would’ve had more time to explore the rim. Good info as always, and that pit toilet is interesting. From what I recall when I was there, the rim gets fairly busy. Does the toilet provide much privacy from that traffic?

[@CameronHall88]

Its slightly off the main trail and facing the opposite direction of the trail. So if you heard someone coming I guess you'd have to holler that you were over there. Haha.

[@ChucoHiker]

@@CameronHall88 Ha! That’s funny, and could lead to a hilarious blooper. Imagine if someone was sitting on it when you came around the corner lol!