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Due to heavy rain and flooding events in July, the following closures are in effect until further notice:
The following dirt roads are CLOSED: Hot Springs Road, Old Ore Road, and Black Gap Road.
Backcountry drive-in campsites along Old Ore Road and Black Gap Road are CLOSED. Check at Panther Junction Visitor Center for current campsite availability.
Old Maverick Road is open, but high clearance and 4x4 are strongly recommended.
To view weather forecasts for Big Bend and Brewster County, please go to this page of our website.
Facilities:
The Lodge Restaurant is CLOSED. A Food Truck is available outside the main Lodge building.
Food Truck OPEN Daily 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Visitor Centers:
Panther Junction VC OPENDaily 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Chisos Basin VC OPEN Daily 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, closed for lunch
Persimmon Gap VC OPEN Daily 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed for lunch
Rio Grande Village VC OPEN Daily 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch
Castolon VC OPEN Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed for lunch
Cottonwood Campground is currently OPEN, reservations can be made at recreation.gov
Do not attempt Big Bend's primitive dirt roads with an inappropriate vehicle.
Roads:
Old Ore Road and Black Gap Road are extremely rough and only suitable for the most rugged of vehicles. Never leave the pavement without full 4x4 capability with good tires, good spare, jack, and water. No cars, minivans, or RVs.
Travel on primitive dirt roadsrequires High Clearance AND true Four-Wheel Drive. These roads are NOT passable to passenger cars, minivans, motorhomes, and tiny crossover SUVs.
Hiking Trails
Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Carefully assess conditions and your abilities before attempting to cross. If water levels are too high, do NOT attempt to cross.
To access the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, hikers must first cross the bed of Terlingua Creek, and climb a short but steep bank. Conditions change constantly at this location. Depending upon recent rainfall, Terlingua Creek may be dry sand, thick mud, or flowing water. Ask a ranger about the latest conditions.
Pardon Our Dust
Work on two large construction projects in the Chisos Basin will begin May 1, 2026 and continue for approximately two years. Disruptions in visitor access to the Chisos Basin area of the park are expected.
