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Big Bend National ParkPaddling down Santa Elena Canyon
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Big Bend National Park
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 permits must be obtained in person at park visitor centers up to 24 hours in advance of the trip.

backcountry use fee of $10.00 per permit is charged for all overnight use, with all revenue being used for backcountry-related projects.
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Special Use Permits
Special Use Permits are required for nontraditional, or unusual, uses and activities such as weddings. Requests for Special Use Permits may be made by writing the Superintendent or calling the park (432-477-2251) to initiate the process. Allow AT LEAST 4 business days for processing (2 business days for First Amendment requests). Fees for these permits may apply.
 
Commercial Use Authorization
Permits are required of all operators who provide any and all goods, activities, agreements or other services to the general public which take place, at least in part, in the park, uses park resources and are undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization or corporation, whether or not such entity is organized for purposes recognized as non-profit under local, state or federal law. This includes educational institutions.
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Woody Guthrie  

Did You Know?
American folk singer Woody Guthrie spent a short time in the Big Bend region in 1921 and briefly searched for the legendary "lost mine" in the Chisos Mountains.
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Last Updated: June 20, 2009 at 23:13 EST