Big Bend National Park is more than just a park.It's a massive collection of over 800,000 acres of desert, mountains, and river canyons.
And it's terrain can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful.
Your journey to Big Bend should begin with the right preparation. Do your research and call or visit the official park website to learn about the park, make reservations, and to get the most up-to-date details.</b> Weather information is updated hourly, with current alerts at the top of every page. Check the homepage before every visit.
Don't show up without a reservation.
Lodging, campground, and most backcountry sites must be reserved in advance, as they're often fully booked, especially during the busy season of October through April.
Showing up without a reservation can cause frustration in finding a last-minute place to stay, most likely outside the park.
Weather conditions in Big Bend can change quickly, so pack for a range of temperatures and conditions.
Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, layers of comfortable clothing, and sturdy shoes are a year-round necessity for outdoor exploration.
Winter visitors should pack for temperatures below freezing to above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Groceries and supplies are expensive and hard, if not impossible, to find in or around the park so stock up before you hit the road. Make sure to bring a few refillable water containers. There are places to refill them throughout the park's developed areas and campgrounds.
You'll stay hydrated while cutting down on park waste. Reduce, reuse, refill.
What you bring to the park is just as important as what you don't. Bringing your pet may limit some of your activities in Big Bend. Your pet can only go where your car can go. Since pets are not allowed on trails, open ground, or on the river, and you can't leave them unattended, we recommend that you leave them safely at home.
When it comes to getting around the park, Big Bend has over 120 miles of paved roads suitable for well-maintained vehicles of all kinds. Be aware that electric vehicles currently have very fewcharging options inside or outside the park.
The park also offers over 180 miles of unpaved backcountry roads to explore. These are maintained for sturdy, high-clearance, four-wheel drive road-legal vehicles, not sedans, minivans or RVs.
Weather can change some road's drivability, so check with a ranger on current conditions and be sure to have a spare tire and know how to change it.
Big Bend is rugged, wild and delightfully distant from most of our everyday lives. That means you're likely to experience limited to no cell or data signals in and around the park.That's what makes the park so special.
With a little preparation, this is your chance to disconnect to reconnect. Your chance to be open and curious about exploring one of our nation's most dramatic and wild landscapes, protected and preserved for you and generations to come.
Be prepared and be amazed by Big Bend National Park.
Are you ready to go to Big Bend National Park? Wondering how to prepare, what to pack, and what you'll experience? Check out this video for great tips to make the most of your adventure!
Sprawling over 1200 square miles, with more than 120 miles of paved roads, 180 miles of unpaved roads and 200 miles of hiking trails, Big Bend National Park is a lot to take in. And that's a good thing.
It means that each visit can bring a new adventure and another chance to have your breath taken away by something you just can't experience anywhere else in the world.
These are some of our favorite things to do in the park.
From the one third of a mile, fully accessible window view trail to the 30 mile outer mountain loop, there is a hike for everyone. Most trails are 3 to 5 miles long and provide access to spectacular mountains. Expansive deserts. Riverside Canyons and a surprising array of historical areas.
If you have water on your mind, consider Santa Elena or Boquillas Canyon River Trails. Or for a real adventure, float through Santa Elena with a river guide.
At the official port of entry, you can arrange a rowboat ride across the Rio Grande into Mexico. Take a burro into the tiny village of Boquillas to practice your Spanish and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Just make sure to bring a passport for everyone. US dollars are the accepted currency in Boquillas. Bring smaller bills for souvenirs.
A slow cruise down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive offers epic geologic highlights,Scenic Overlooks and interesting roadside displays. Late afternoon drives will be greeted by sunsets against the mountains.
If you're in a street legal, high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle, toss some extra water in the back, air up your spare tire, and explore the backcountry along 180 miles of primitive roads.
Grab your binoculars because Big Bend is home to over 450 species of birds and over 200 types of butterflies, more than any other US national park. Hot spots for our winged friends include the Rio Grande village area, Dugout wells, and the woodlands of the Chisos Mountains.
Instead of venturing out, why not go back 130 million years at the Big Bend Fossil Discovery exhibit, or you can explore human history by hiking the historic Hot Springs or Chimneys Trail to discover prehistoric rock art. Or get a glimpse of farm life in theearly 20th century on a self-guided tour.
Don't forget to look up and enjoy Big Bend's sunrises, sunsets and our incredibly dark night skies. You can learn about the stars on a Ranger-led program.
Lastly, stop by a visitor center to check the program schedule and join a park ranger for a naturalist talk, guided hike, or evening program. Hear about what makes Big Bend special and meet those that are fortunate enough to live and work in Big Bend year-round.</b>
Remember that Big Bend is way too much to see on one visit. Pace yourself, slow down, and enjoy what each visit offers. Whatever you do, it's going to be amazing here in Big Bend National Park.
Sprawling over 1,200 square miles, Big Bend National Park has a LOT to take in...and that is a good thing! These are some of our favorite things to do in Big Bend.
Located in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend is a desert park with epic views, rugged mountains and breathtaking skylines. With over 800,000 acres of National Park, it could take a lifetime to see it all. So pace yourself, especially while driving on the more than 120 miles of paved roads.Slow down.Enjoy the view and protect the wildlife and yourself.
High clearance, street-legal, true four-wheel drive vehicles with off-road rugged tires are required for any backcountry driving. Always be prepared to change a flat tire.
With over 200 miles of desert, mountain, and riverside trails, Big Bend is a hiker's ideal destination.
Never overestimate your abilities or underestimate the Big Bend terrain. Park Rangers can help you plan an appropriate itinerary.
Carrying a GPS device along with trail guidebooks and the National Park Services app already downloaded to your phone would be a great idea.
You should always tell someone else your hiking plans and expected return time so they can check in if you're late.
Carry a whistle to alert emergency responders of your location in case you are lost or injured.
Because Big Bend is a desert park, the temperature fluctuates 30 degrees or more daily and even more at higher elevation. Even in winter, the park can get very hot. Dress in lightweight layers with plenty of sun protection, like long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.
Dehydration is a serious and deadly reality in the park. While hiking, always carry more water than you think you'll need, along with salty snacks to aid your hydration. We recommend one gallon per person on longer hikes.
Know your physical limits and study the signs of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke before you leave. If you have a headache, feel dizzy and nauseous, immediately lay down in the shade, remove extra clothing and hydrate. Remember, heat stroke is a serious condition that strikes fast and requires immediate medical attention. Plan hikes for early in the day so you can be off the trails before the afternoon heat.
In addition to extreme weather, Big Bend is also home to an amazingly wide array of animal life. Pay attention to your surroundings and keep small children close just in case you cross paths with a snake or something larger.
If you see a bear or mountain lion, keep your distance and enjoy the sighting. Do not run away. If the animal approaches you, stand tall and be loud, shouting and waving your arms, throwing sticks and stones, if possible, to scare them away. Report all bear and lion sightings to a ranger.
Wildlife and the wild nature of Big Bend are all a part of its enduring beauty. Something to be revered and respected.
By practicing safety and being flexible with your plans, you can slow down, relax, and enjoy the real Big Bend Adventure.
Big Bend National Park is filled with beautiful landscapes, Diverse life and rich features that have been around for millennia. And with your help, for many more.
As a visitor, be aware of the park rules and regulations throughout your visit.
Time seems to slow down here.You should too. For the safety of wildlife, yourself and others, the speed limit is 45 miles per hour.
ATV and drone use is strictly prohibited anywhere in the park.
Bicycles are welcome on all roads, paved and unpaved, but are not permitted on any trails.
Pets are welcome anywhere that cars can go and must be attended at all times.For the safety of your pet, park wildlife and visitors, pets are never permitted on the trails.
Everything within Big Bend National Park is protected. Discharging firearms, hunting, disturbing, or destroying wildlife is prohibited.
The park's ecosystem is delicate and all flora and fauna are protected by law. Do not bring in any outside plants or remove existing plants from within the park.
Archaeological and natural features are also protected. This includes rocks and fossils. As a good steward, please don't move, disturb or collect. This includes not building rock cairns or the carving or graffiti of rocks or plants.
Due to its remote nature, Big Bend is one of only two national parks with an active landfill on site, which means any trash you leave permanently stays in the park. So be sustainability minded and please pack out what you pack in.</b>
Bring reusable water containers and utilize the recycling collection bins. Please be aware of responsible food storage in wildlife prone areas.
By visiting a national park, you have the opportunity to play your part in stewarding our precious resources for generations to come.
Want to help support your favorite national park even more? Join the Big Bend Conservancy, the philanthropic partner of Big Bend National Park. Their mission is to preserve, enrich and conserve the unique resources and natural beauty of the park for generations to come.
Thank you for joining us in caring for this beautiful paradise.When we work together, it's always a beautiful day at Big Bend National Park.
Big Bend is filled with amazing landscapes, diverse life, and rich features that have been around for millennia...and with YOUR help, for many more. Learn how to play your part in protecting this special place.
