Natural Features & Ecosystems

 

In the early 1930's the state of Texas recognized the value of the scenic beauty in the canyons of the Big Bend of the Rio Grande—Santa Elena, Mariscal, and Boquillas. In June of 1944, when Congress established Big Bend as a National Park, it was not only the canyons that made an impression, but the diversity in biological species and incredible geologic forces left open for examination that swayed Congress to establish Big Bend National Park.

 

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  Dramatic, Diverse, and Well-Exposed

  Big Bend Geology

  Big Bend is a world-class area for geology: limestone to laccoliths, faults to volcanoes. Fossils include a giant pterosaur and a 50' croc!

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  World Famous Fossil Finds!

  Big Bend Fossils

  Big Bend National Park protects a largely intact 130-million year slice of geologic time.

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  Caring for Big Bend

  Science and Resource Management

  Park staff actively research, monitor, and manage the resources of Big Bend.

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  A Globally Significant Location

  Big Bend Biosphere Region

  The largest intact portion of Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems in the U.S