Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. Sometimes considered "three parks in one," Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. In just an hour you can drive from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Come and explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: William WellmanPhone Number: 432-477-2251
Entrance Fees: Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Big Bend Park Annual Pass (valid for one year after date of purchase): $40; Children 15 years old and under : Free
Sights: Rio Grande River; Langford Hot Springs; Boquillas Hot Springs; Castolon; Johnson's Ranch; Mariscal Mine; The Commache Trail; Glenn Springs; Cooper's Store
Endangered Species: Black-capped Vireo; Mexican Long-nosed Bat; Big Bend Gambusia; Rio Grande Silvery Minnow; Chisos Hedgehog Cactus.
Important Dates
Established as Park: June 12, 1944By The Numbers
Acres: 801,163.00Highest Point: Emory Peak (7825 feet)
Annual Visitation: 298,717 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :29.250000 / -103.250000 (map it)
State: TX
Nearby Big City: Big Bend National Park, TX
Gateway Communities: Marathon, TX; Alpine, TX; Terlingua, TX; Lajitas, TX
Nearby Airports: Midland-Odessa Regional Airport (MAF); El Paso International Airport (ELP)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Heart Cactus
Mike Norton
Chisos Mtns
Rusty Dodson
Big Bend, 0620
National Park Service
View More Big Bend Photos
In Detail
Activities at Big Bend When President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill authorizing Big Bend National Park on June 20, 1935, could he have imagined how popular the park would become over the next half-century? According to ... read more.
After Dark in the Park As the setting sun slips below the western horizon a parade of colors dances across the mountains and sky. Another day has come to a close in the Chihuahuan Desert. This spectacular ending takes with ... read more.
At Your Fingertips General Numbers National Park Service (general information) 477-2251 Big Bend Natural History Association (seminar programs and books sales) 477-2236 Big Bend/Forever Resorts, Inc. (conce ... read more.
Average Temperature & Rainfall Average Temperatures & Rainfall: The table below is based on average temperatures at the Panther Junction park headquarters. Temperatures in the higher mountain areas vary about 5-10 degrees be ... read more.
Backcountry Regulations BACKCOUNTRY REGULATIONS You are responsible for protecting the resources of your park; these regulations are enforced. 1. GROUNDFIRES AND WOODFIRES ARE PROHIBITED. Use only gas stoves or charcoal ... read more.
Before You Visit Big Bend Here are some things you might want to know about Big Bend National and the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River before you visit the area. * At over 800,000 acres, Big Bend is the 15th largest ... read more.
Big Bend Rules & Regulations PERMITS Backcountry Permits Backcountry Use Permits are required for all backcountry overnight camping, horse/stock use, and river use. Permits are obtainable at all visitor centers. Backcountry pe ... read more.
Bike Rides Around the Park Big Bend bike rides Many of the rides in Big Bend National Park are easier with a shuttle. If you have the luxury of having someone shuttle your vehicle or pick you up after a long day of cycling, op ... read more.
Camping at Big Bend CAMPGROUNDS The National Park Service operates three developed frontcountry campgrounds at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and the Cottonwood campground, near Castolon. The cost is $14.00 per ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Big Bend is famous for its natural resources and spectacular geology. The park is home to more than 1,200 species of plants (including approximately 60 cacti species), 11 species of amphibians, 56 sp ... read more.
History of Big Bend "Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat raggedly on into the future...." ... read more.
International Boundary Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande forms the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; Big Ben ... read more.
Javalina Differences between Javalinas & Pigs: Javelina Pigs three toes on the hind foot four toes on the hind foot bones are fused in the foot bones in the foot are not fused ulna and radius " ... read more.
Just For Kids Explore Big Bend! Big Bend National Park offers many opportunities for children. This unique desert region provides opportunities for exploration. To make the most of your visit, complete a junior ra ... read more.
Lodging & Dining LODGING Chisos Mountains Lodge The Chisos Mountains Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, Inc., is located in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet elevation. The lodge offers a variety of rooms and cottages ... read more.
Only A Day If time allows, drive to the Chisos Mountains Basin to take in the spectacular mountain views. Walk the 0.3-mile self-guiding Window View Trail to get a feel for the mountain scenery. A trip along t ... read more.
Park Safety Big Bend is unfamiliar country to most visitors, yet it need not be dangerous. Whether hiking the high country, rafting the Rio Grande, observing wildlife, or simply driving the scenic roads of this ... read more.
Places to Go in Big Bend Big Bend offers many interesting places to visit during your stay in the park. It is recommended that your first stop be at one of the parks visitor centers. Here you can obtain all the information n ... read more.
Planning Your Visit to Big Bend While the isolation of Big Bend National Park is a drawing point for many visitors, it also means that your trip must be well prepared and carefully planned. Operating Hours & Seasons: The park ... read more.
River Equipment Required Equipment A Park Ranger may inspect your boat for required equipment while you are on the river. The following equipment is essential for a safe river trip: * Boat—Canoes, kayak ... read more.
Recent News
- Point of Contact: William E. Wellman, Superintendent of Big Bend National Park June 30, 2008, 10:41 am
- It's Grand: Big Bend National Park Is a Spot Worth Singing About June 23, 2008, 10:34 am
- Texas Tries to Clear the Air at Two National Parks June 12, 2008, 4:16 pm
Big Bend In Depth
News from the Parks
Snow greets visiting hikers at Mount Rainier
July 25, 2008 - 10:15am
PARADISE, Wash. -- Cool ocean temperatures in the southern Pacific Ocean -- a phenomenon known as La Nina -- chilled sunny expectations this summer for thousands of visitors to Mount Rainier National Park. Those who arrived here in July planning to backpack or hike its famous sub-alpine wildflower meadows found snow instead, six feet in places, though sunny daytime temperatures reach into the 70s. The popular mountain that draws 1.5 million visitors each year received 950 inches of snow last winter, 300 inches more than its 650-inch average. Park officials said a cooler than usual spring also pushed back the thaw.
July 25, 2008 - 10:15am
PARADISE, Wash. -- Cool ocean temperatures in the southern Pacific Ocean -- a phenomenon known as La Nina -- chilled sunny expectations this summer for thousands of visitors to Mount Rainier National Park. Those who arrived here in July planning to backpack or hike its famous sub-alpine wildflower meadows found snow instead, six feet in places, though sunny daytime temperatures reach into the 70s. The popular mountain that draws 1.5 million visitors each year received 950 inches of snow last winter, 300 inches more than its 650-inch average. Park officials said a cooler than usual spring also pushed back the thaw.
CAUSE OF FIRE NEAR STAIRCASE RELEASED
July 25, 2008 - 10:14am
The U.S. Forest Service says the brush fire Monday night off the road to the Staircase area of Olympic National Park was human caused. According to a news release, the fire, dubbed the East Cushman Fire, was contained before it reached one-tenth of an acre in size. An abandoned campfire ring at its origin indicated that the ignition was human caused.
July 25, 2008 - 10:14am
The U.S. Forest Service says the brush fire Monday night off the road to the Staircase area of Olympic National Park was human caused. According to a news release, the fire, dubbed the East Cushman Fire, was contained before it reached one-tenth of an acre in size. An abandoned campfire ring at its origin indicated that the ignition was human caused.
Hikers should expect plenty of snow on higher routes
July 25, 2008 - 10:13am
Hikers should expect lots of snow on mountain trails still, with rangers saying that higher-elevation routes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park are two weeks to one month behind in terms of melting out. Higher than normal snowpack coupled with lower than normal temperatures well into spring means that, in general, those going over routes at the 5,000- to 6,000-foot level need to be comfortable traveling on snow and have poles or ice axes and route-finding skills.
July 25, 2008 - 10:13am
Hikers should expect lots of snow on mountain trails still, with rangers saying that higher-elevation routes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park are two weeks to one month behind in terms of melting out. Higher than normal snowpack coupled with lower than normal temperatures well into spring means that, in general, those going over routes at the 5,000- to 6,000-foot level need to be comfortable traveling on snow and have poles or ice axes and route-finding skills.
Cabin lottery takes a hike
July 25, 2008 - 10:11am
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - Officials at Haleakala National Park announced Thursday the end of the lottery system used for years to select cabin users in the crater. Starting with September, all reservations for the wilderness cabins will be taken over the phone up to three months ahead of the reservation, on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Calls for reservations will only be accepted between 1 and 3 p.m. HST daily at 572-4400. As of midday Thursday, there were no openings in August for any of the three cabins in Haleakala Crater
July 25, 2008 - 10:11am
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - Officials at Haleakala National Park announced Thursday the end of the lottery system used for years to select cabin users in the crater. Starting with September, all reservations for the wilderness cabins will be taken over the phone up to three months ahead of the reservation, on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Calls for reservations will only be accepted between 1 and 3 p.m. HST daily at 572-4400. As of midday Thursday, there were no openings in August for any of the three cabins in Haleakala Crater
Second bear killed in Yellowstone in recent weeks
July 25, 2008 - 10:10am
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have killed a black bear that became accustomed to eating human food. Park officials say the 130-pound male bear was getting food from hikers' backpacks in northern Yellowstone. Repeated attempts to trap the bear failed. On Wednesday, the bear was caught ripping into the packs of a large group of backcountry hikers. Rangers cleared the area of visitors and shot the bear.
July 25, 2008 - 10:10am
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have killed a black bear that became accustomed to eating human food. Park officials say the 130-pound male bear was getting food from hikers' backpacks in northern Yellowstone. Repeated attempts to trap the bear failed. On Wednesday, the bear was caught ripping into the packs of a large group of backcountry hikers. Rangers cleared the area of visitors and shot the bear.
