Big Bend National Park is a land of borders. Situated on the boundary with Mexico along the Rio Grande, it is a place where countries and cultures meet. It is also a place that merges natural environments, from desert to mountains. It is a place where south meets north and east meets west, creating a great diversity of plants and animals. The park covers over 801,000 acres of west Texas in the place where the Rio Grande makes a sharp turn - the Big Bend. Authorized June 20, 1935; established June 12, 1944. Designated a United States Biosphere Reserve, 1976.

VISITATION:

The park is relatively uncrowded much of the year. Visitation is highest in March and April. The park is extremely crowded during spring break, which is usually the second or third week in March. Easter weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day are also very busy. All lodging and campsites are usually full during these periods. Visitation is lowest in August and September.

LOCATION:

Southern Brewster County, in far west Texas

ADDRESS:

Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834
E-mail:  BIBEInformation@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:

(915) 477-2251

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

The park is open 24 hours daily, all year. The Panther Junction Visitor Center is open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but may be closed on Christmas Day. Other visitor centers have variable seasons and hours.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Fall and spring are usually warm and pleasant. Summers are hot, although temperatures vary greatly between the desert floor and the Chisos Mountains; May and June are the hottest months. Afternoon and evening rains often cool the desert from July to October. Winters are generally mild, although periods of cold weather (including light snow) are possible. Winter visitors must prepare for a variety of conditions.

A hat, comfortable clothing, and sturdy walking shoes or boots are necessary for anyone planning to hike. Sunscreen is a must. Hikers must always carry plenty of water. One gallon per person per day is recommended.

DIRECTIONS:

Three paved roads lead to the park:
1) U.S. 385 from Marathon, TX to the north entrance,
2) State Route 118 from Alpine, TX to the west entrance,
3) Ranch Road 170 from Presidio to Study Butte, and then State Route 118 to the west entrance.

Big Bend National Park headquarters is located 70 miles south of Marathon, TX and 108 miles from Alpine, TX via Hwy. 118. (See "Getting Here")

TRANSPORTATION:

There is no public transportation to or from the park. Amtrak serves Alpine, TX, 108 miles to the north. Bus service is available to Alpine and Marathon. The nearest airports are in Midland, TX (230 miles to the northeast), and El Paso, TX (325 miles to the northwest).

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Weekly Pass: $10.00 per passenger vehicle; $5.00 per person for cyclists, bus passengers, and walk-ins.
Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passes honored. Big Bend Annual Pass available for $20.00. Good for one year from date of purchase.

Commercial tour fees are based on the passenger capacity of each tour vehicle:
up to six passenger capacity - $25.00 plus $5 per person
between seven and 15 passenger capacity - $75.00
between 16 and 25 passenger capacity - $100.00
over 25 passenger capacity - $200.00.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

There are four visitor centers: Persimmon Gap, Panther Junction, Chisos Basin, and Rio Grande Village. There is also a visitor contact station at Castolon. The Panther Junction and Chisos Basin Visitor Centers are open year-round. The Persimmon Gap Visitor Center is open most of the year, staff permitting. The Rio Grande Village Visitor Center is open from November through April. All visitor centers provide information, backcountry permits, and limited exhibits.

Trails, Roads:

There are several paved roads that give the visitor an introduction to the park scenery. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Castolon and the road to the Chisos Mountains Basin are not recommended for trailers over 20 feet, or RVs over 24 feet. Numerous dirt roads, suitable only for high-clearance vehicles, are located throughout the desert.

There are over 200 miles of hiking trails and routes through desert and mountains. Cross-country hiking is permitted.

Programs/Activities:

Nature walks, workshops, and evening slide programs are provided by park naturalists year-round. Several programs per day are offered November to April; fewer programs are offered in summer. Check park bulletin boards and visitor centers for the current weekly program schedule.

Lodging and camping facilities:

Chisos Mountain Lodge is operated by National Park Concessions, Inc. For reservations call 915-477-2291.

There are three developed campgrounds: Rio Grande Village (100 sites), Chisos Basin (63 sites), and Cottonwood (31 sites). All have water and rest rooms, but no hookups. Fees are currently $7.00 per night, subject to change. Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people and two vehicles, or one RV plus one vehicle. All campsites are available on a first-come first- served basis only.

A concessioner operates an RV park at Rio Grande Village. Full hookup capability is required. First come, first served.

There are also numerous backcountry roadside campsites throughout the park. Most require a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle. No services or facilities are available at primitive campsites. A backcountry permit is required to camp, and can be obtained free of charge at any visitor center.

Backpackers have many opportunities throughout the park. Open (zone) camping is available in desert areas with a backcountry permit. Designated backcountry campsites in the high Chisos Mountains are available with a backcountry permit on a first- come, first-served basis.

Food/supplies:

Lodging, meals, and service stations are provided by National Park Concessions, Inc. Limited groceries are available near all campgrounds. Gas is available at Panther Junction (park headquarters) and Rio Grande Village. Showers and laundry facilities are available only at Rio Grande Village. There is a restaurant in the Chisos Basin.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

The Big Bend Natural History Association operates bookstores in all four visitor centers. To receive a catalog of sales items or a listing of Big Bend Seminars you can e-mail your request to the Big Bend Natural History Association at "BBNHA@nps.gov" or write to:

Big Bend Natural History Association
P.O. Box 196, Big Bend Park, Texas 79834
Telephone:  (915) 477-2236

Friends of Big Bend National Park is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of Big Bend National Park. For more information write to:

Friends of Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 465
Terlingua, TX 79852

Accessibility:

Visitor centers are accessible. Wheelchair-accessible campsites and restrooms are located in the Chisos Basin and Rio Grande Village Campgrounds. The Chisos Mountains Lodge restaurant is accessible, as are some motel rooms. A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf is available at park headquarters. A brochure on accessibility is available by calling or writing the park. Employees with sign language abilities may be available.

Special Needs:

Many park rangers are bi-lingual in Spanish and English; capabilities in other languages vary. Most exhibits are written in both Spanish and English. Park brochures are available in German.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Hiking is the best way to experience, enjoy, and appreciate Big Bend National Park. A permit is required for all overnight trips, and can be obtained up to 24 hours in advance of the trip in person only. It is virtually impossible to plan an extended backpacking trip prior to your arrival in the park. Bear in mind how much distance you want to cover and how much time you have. Based on that information and current conditions, personnel at park visitor centers can assist you with trip planning.

Camping, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and float trips are popular park activities. Commercial float trips on the Rio Grande are available through outfitters just outside the park.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Advance camping reservations for large groups (scouts, school, etc.) may be made by writing the Superintendent. Group campground reservations may be made up to 90 days in advance.

Special use permits for commercial filming and other activities are arranged on an individual basis. For additional information on special use or filming permits, call (915) 477-2251.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

The park is very large and remote. Remember that you will be at least 100 miles from a bank, hospital, pharmacy, or supermarket.

A minimum of two days is needed to see most of the park from the main roads. For hikers and explorers, allow a week to see the park. A high clearance or 4x4 vehicle will allow you to see more of the park.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Annual International Good Neighbor Day Fiesta - October 17, 1998 and annually on the third Saturday in October - celebrates the unique culture of the border with music, food, and dance.

See our park lesson plan entitled: "Castolon: A Meeting Place of Two Cultures/HP17," created by Teaching with Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service that helps teachers and students understand how parks and other historic places embody America's historical experiences and cultural expressions.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

The park is crowded during spring break and all campsites and lodging may be full. The nearest campsite with space available may be 25 miles away. The nearest available lodging during spring break may be 100 miles away.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Big Bend Ranch State Park, a 287,000 acre preserve operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is adjacent to Big Bend National Park on the west. Established in 1988, the state park features spectacular rock formations, unique plants and animals, and 10,000 years of human history. For information, call (915) 229-3416.

It is possible to visit the Mexican border towns of Boquillas, Coahuila and Santa Elena, Chihuahua which are adjacent to the park. Check at a park visitor center for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Pets on a leash are permitted only on roads and in the drive-in campground, not in the backcountry or on trails. Do not bring pets if you intend to hike or backpack.

Last Updated:Thursday, 24-Dec-98 13:11:53
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/
Author: Alisa Lynch