Site Telephone Canyon 2, Loop

Big Bend National Park | Big Bend Backcountry Camping

Type: MANAGEMENT

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Site Details

• Campfire Allowed: No
• Checkin Time: 01:00 PM
• Checkout Time: 12:00 PM
• Max Num of People: 12
• Min Num of People: 1
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Site Access: Drive In

Permitted Equipment

• Tent
• Large Tent Over 9X12`
• Pickup Camper (Max length: 25 ft.)
• Caravan/Camper Van (Max length: 25 ft.)
• Small Tent
• Car (Max length: 25 ft.)
• Vehicle (Max length: 25 ft.)

Driveway Details

• Driveway Entry: Pull-through
• Driveway Surface: Gravel
• Double Driveway: Yes
• Is Equipment Mandatory: No
• Max Num of Horses: 0
• Max Num of Vehicles: 2
• Max Vehicle Length: 25

Need to Know

• You will NEED A rugged High-Clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle with sturdy tires to access this campsite. A passenger car, minivan, trailer, or RV will NOT be able to access this remote campsite.

• Capacity

  Telephone Canyon 2 (TC-2) can accommodate 2 vehicle, 12 people, no horses. Maximum vehicle length is 25'. No trailers.

  Site details and photos are available at: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/campsite_telephone-canyon.htm  

• The 26 mile-long primitive Old Ore Road follows the early 1900s historic route used to transport ore from Mexican mines to the railroad station in Marathon. This road has excellent vistas of the Chisos Mountains and Tornillo Creek, and passes through the foothills of the Deadhorse Mountains, including the cliffs of Alto Relex. You will NEED A rugged High-Clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to access this campsite.

  Primitive roadside sites offer nice views, solitude, and a small flat gravel space to set up camp next to your vehicle. No shade, toilets, or other amenities are provided. The use of generators is prohibited in the backcountry.

• Directions

  Telephone Canyon Campsites are located along the Old Ore Road , 14 miles from the southern end, or 12.4 miles from the northern end. There is a 0.25 mile access road on the east side of the Old Ore Road. TC-1 is along the access road/Ore Road junction. TC-2 is at the end of the access road. It will take approximately 2 hours (each way) along a rugged, rocky, gravel road to reach this campsite. 

• Road Conditions

  Old Ore Road is maintain ed for high clearance vehicles only. Following rains and heavy use, the road becomes very rutted and may require 4-wheel drive. Always ask a park ranger for current road conditions.

• Vegetation

  TC-2 has creosote, yucca, and candelilla plants. This is an especially shadeless, exposed site.

• Views

  Good views of the Deadhorse mountains and massive limestone cliffs to the east. No other distant views of mountains.

• Cautions

  Telephone Canyon hikers must park off the road, not in the TC-2 site. Only permitted campers may use the TC-2 campsite.

• Remarks

  The primitive Telephone Canyon Trail begins at TC-2 and travels through the Deadhorse Mountains. TC-1 is quite close to the Old Ore Road.

• The Old Ore Road is rocky and rough. It is a primitive dirt road and NOT maintained for passenger cars or RVs. You will NEED A rugged High-Clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to access this campsite. Be prepared for driving Big Bend's backcountry 

• Telephone Canyon 2 (TC-2) can accommodate 2 vehicle, 12 people, no horses. Maximum vehicle length is 25'. No trailers.

• You are responsible for protecting YOUR park. All Backcountry Regulations are strictly enforced.     

• TC-2 has creosote, yucca, and candelilla plants. This is an especially shadeless, exposed site. 

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