As both national and state parks have been steadily getting more crowded each year, we’ve become big fans of getting away from the crowds and dispersed camping in National Forests and on BLM land. But, if you’ve found that even your favorite back-country hideaways have suddenly been “discovered” by the masses, you might want to consider thinking “outside the box” and camping at WMA’s, or Wildlife Management Areas. There are hundreds of these across the US, and many allow camping, hiking and other activities outside of hunting seasons.
Note: There are very specific rules here regarding access during certain times of year, as well as requirements to wear blaze orange headgear and clothing. Do not head out to the WMA without first contacting ranger Travis Smith, at (432) 376-2216 to find out if the area is open for use.
Why We Like Camping At Black Gap WMA
One of our favorite spots to visit when Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park has become crowded – is Black Gap WMA. Located in similar terrain as that of Big Bend National Park, this Wildlife Management Area consists of 103,000 acres of wide-open, rugged wilderness that abuts the Rio Grande and the Sierra del Carmen Mountain Range. If you enjoy traveling to remote and desolate places to go camping, with big views and dark, starry skies, it’s hard to beat Black Gap WMA.
There are 51 camping areas in Black Gap WMA. 25 of these are fishing shelters located along the Rio Grande. Most of the camping sites in Black Gap WMA have shelters, tables and fire rings. Vehicles with high ground clearance are recommended for travel in most of the management area.
The last time we camped at Black Gap WMA, we stayed in fishing camp #5, which is near some historic adobe ruins.
Things To Do In Black Gap WMA
In this vast slice of Chihuahuan desert wilderness, you can hike across 65,000 of the 103,000 acres, bike on more than 100 miles of unpaved desert roads, enjoy photography, fishing in the Rio Grande and stargazing in one of last dark sky areas of North America. Campsites are first come, first served basis and certain activities are restricted during special hunting seasons. The schedule of restricted dates can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website.
Camping is usually a bit more rugged in any WMA, but we don’t mind some inconveniences in trade for seclusion and privacy.
There’s literally just only one restroom in the management area – located at the headquarters site – and services here are very limited.
You must have a permit to visit a WMA in Texas. A Limited Public Use ($12) or a Annual Public Hunting Permit ($48) is required, and these are available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
How Safe Is Camping At Black Gap WMA?
The Texas-Mexico border runs for 1,264 miles, about as far as from New York City to Miami. Black Gap WMA shares 25 miles of that border along the Rio Grande, in a very remote region that’s difficult to travel to, especially on the Mexican side. This remoteness, along with the presence of border patrol and National Park Service rangers and check-points farther north, helps keep things much more “tranquilo” here.
This area has been so safe that there’s even a “self-checkout”, automated border crossing station just up the river from Black Gap WMA at Boquillas. The crossing is currently closed due to Covid, however during normal times you’d be able to wade or take a small ferry boat across the Rio Grande, then ride a rented donkey up to a cantina in the quaint village of Boquillas, Mexico. (This is actually what my wife and I did as part of our “honeymoon”, after being married atop a mountain in Big Bend, National Park, many years ago.)
Because of the remoteness of this rugged area, Big Bend National Park and Black Gap WMA have been spared most of the activity that’s occurred farther south along the border. Still, there have been a few incidents in this region over the years, so campers should always be aware of their surrounding and protect their valuables, especially if camping along the Rio Grande.
Pets
We have left our pets at home so far when visiting Black Gap WMA. Whether dogs are allowed or not isn’t mentioned on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website, so if you’re considering bringing a pet or working dog, be sure to call (432) 376-2216 for guidance.
Camping at WMA’s May Not Be For Everyone
When considering camping and hiking at a Wildlife Management Area, just remember that the primary purpose these areas were set aside for are wildlife conservation and hunting. Even outside of big game hunting seasons you may hear the sound of rifle fire or see hunters carrying or processing small game animals they’ve bagged, so if you’re squeamish about those things, it might be best to avoid camping at WMA’s.
Best Time To Go There
The best time to visit Black Gap WMA – along with the rest of the Big Bend region – is early spring and fall before hunting season. By late March, temperatures here can reach more than 100 degrees, so it’s always a good idea to check the long-range weather forecast before planning any visit. This area of the Southwest gets very little rain or snow, so winter camping here, between cold fronts, is also a great option. The chart below – from NOAA data- shows the average temperatures for Panther Junction, just to the west of Black Gap WMA, in Big Bend National Park.
Directions To Black Gap WMA
Take 385 south from Marathon to FM 2627, turn left and the entrance will be approximately 18 miles on the left.
GPS Coordinates
N 29 28’06.0
W 102 50’34.3
Contact Info For Black Gap WMA
Campers are required to register and campsites are on a “first come – first served” basis.
Contact Travis Smith, at (432) 376-2216
There’s no cell phone service in Black Gap WMA. You might want to check out our article “What’s The Best Satellite Phone For Overlanding“, if you’ve ever been interested in owning a satellite phone.
There is a more updated post about camping at Black Gap WMA here.
