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.
Animals Coyotes The coyote, Canis latrans, is a native of the grasslands, but is now found coast to coast in the United States. It lives in the grasslands, deserts, temperate forests, woodlands, swamps, sub- ... read more.
At A Glance Park Phone Numbers General Numbers National Park Service (general information) 477-2251 Big Bend Natural History Association (seminar programs and books sales) 477-2236 Big Bend/Forev ... 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 Campground Reservations Reserving a frontcountry campsite Big Bend National Park has partnered with Recreation.gov in accepting campground reservations at the developed frontcountry campgrounds. Fort ... 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.
Geology Rivers and Streams The Rio Grande is the defining feature of the Big Bend. It is here that the river swings abruptly to the northeast after flowing south and southeast for nearly 1,000 miles. In the ... read more.
History Designations In 1933, the state of Texas established Texas Canyons State Park, using 15 school sections owned by the state. Lands forfeited for non payment of taxes were quickly added and the name wa ... 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.
In A Nutshell Entrance Passes If you plan to visit other national parks, you may want to purchase an Interagency Annual Pass. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and age 62 or older, you may qualify fo ... 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 Be A Junior Ranger Discover Big Bend history, the parts of a cactus, and what javelina eat! The Big Bend Junior Ranger program is designed for kids of all ages. Through activities, games, and puzzles ... read more.
Recent News
- Park Making Progress toward Cleaning and Reopening Visitor Areas November 10, 2008, 10:38 am
- Support Historic Opportunity for New Singletrack at Big Bend National Park September 3, 2008, 11:44 am
- Park Seeks Construction Comment August 21, 2008, 11:38 am
- American Treasures: Big Bend National Park blends desert, mountains and history. August 4, 2008, 11:06 am
- 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
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
