By:
Submission
Recommended for HIGH CLEARANCE vehicles only.
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.
This campsite is adjacent to the road and is located across from the Elephant Tusk Trailhead. The site is small. It is easiest to reach this site from the south along the River Road, as opposed to coming from the north via the Glenn Spring and Black Gap Roads. Sometimes water will flow in Fresno Creek after a large rain event.
There is no shade at this campsite. There is gravel ground cover with sparse creosote and lechuguilla.
A Backcountry Permit is required to use any backcountry campsite.
Directions
Elephant Tusk campsite is located along the southern end of the Black Gap Road, 21 miles from the east end of the River Road and 29.6 miles from the west end. The campsite is 3 miles north on the Black Gap Road. This site is best reached from the south end via the River Road. The northern Black Gap Road is very rugged, 4x4 required. It will take approximately 3 hours to reach this campsite from the paved road.
Road Conditions
River Road is maintained for high clearance vehicles only. After rains, River Road gets extremely muddy and may quickly become impassable to all vehicles. 4-wheel drive may be required. The northern end of the Black Gap Road is extremely rough, not maintained, and for rugged 4x4 vehicles only.
Back Country Permit REQUIRED
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/bc_usepermits.htm
CAUTION: This is a very remote site with very little vehicle traffic.
This camp is right off Black Gap Rd. It’s possible that you could get some traffic through here, however, as Black Gap Rd is a very difficult rd, the traffic should be light.
Love the Elephant Tusk. Stayed overnight at this campground through a major storm from Mexico, too much lightning for setting out the tent.......perhaps it is the most unique landmark along the South Rim. It is feature in my book "TEXAS BADLANDS: Ultimate Black and White Journey" (available on Amazon) in Chapter 2 "A Place Like No Other."
Spectacular views and lesser traveled rough roads like Black Gap Rd make this landmark an amazing adventure every time. Be sure you have a legit 4x4 high clearance vehicle for this or you'll be sorry.
