Park Details
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Trails Illustrated Map2- Big Bend Nat'l Park
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Park Details
Location Information
Location:
Southern Brewster County, in far west Texas
Address:
Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834
Telephone:
(915) 477-2251
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.
Transportation:
To Park: 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).
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 and New Years Day. Other visitor centers have variable seasons and hours.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Effective May 1, 1997: 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 calendar from date of purchase. Commercial tour fees are based on the passenger capacity of each tour vehicle: up to six passenger capacity - $30.00; between seven and 25 passenger capacity - $45.00; over 25 passenger capacity - $100.00.
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.
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.
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
Visitor Center is open year round. The Persimmon Gap and Chisos
Basin Visitor Centers are open most of the year, staff
permitting. The Rio Grande Village Visitor Center is open from
mid-October 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 150 miles of hiking trails 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:
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.
Accessibility:
Visitor centers are accessible. There are as yet no fully
accessible campsites, but some are usable by people in
wheelchairs. 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.
Visitation
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.
Special Events Programs
Annual International Good Neighbor Day Fiesta - October 19, 1996 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.
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.
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