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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Big Bend National ParkThe Balanced Rock can be seen at the end of the Grapevine Hills Trail
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Big Bend National Park
Rivers and Streams

rivers and streams includes:

The Rio Grande
A brief history of water
 
Canyon of the Rio Grande

NPS/Big Bend National Park

Canyon along the Rio Grande.

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 desert life clings to water, and it is along the Rio Grande and intermittant streams that wildlife is often found. Both humans and animals are attracted to and depend on the limited water of the Rio Grande.
Road sign to Big Bend State Park, 1930s  

Did You Know?
Before its establishment as a National Park in 1944, Big Bend was a Texas state park for eleven years. When established in May of 1933 the park was first designated "Texas Canyons State Park." The name of the new park was changed to Big Bend by the end of that year.
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Last Updated: August 16, 2006 at 16:38 EST