Fees & Passes

Big Bend National Park Entrance Sign
 

BIG BEND ENTRANCE FEES & PASSES

All vehicles entering Big Bend National Park are subject to an entrance fee.

  • No cash is accepted; credit/debit card only.
  • No refunds are given due to inclement weather

There are no reservations required for entering Big Bend National Park. There are no day passes issued, and there is no limit to the number of visitors entering the park each day.

 
Plan Your Visit

Key Information

  1. Get an entrance pass

    All visitors must have one of these entrance passes:

    Pass Price
    Standard Pass $15.00–$30.00
    Annual Pass $55.00
    America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$80.00

    Help me choose an entrance pass

  2. Plan to go cashless

    This park does not accept cash.

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

I'm visiting... We recommend
This park, once Standard Pass
This park, multiple times Annual Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site America the Beautiful Pass

Entrance Passes

Big Bend National Park Annual Pass: $55 Covers entrance fees to Big Bend National Park. Pass is available at Big Bend National Park entrance stations or any visitor center. Good for one year from purchase date. Pass is non-transferable.

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00–$30.00

All vehicles entering Big Bend National Park are subject to an entrance fee. No cash is accepted; credit/debit card only. No refunds are given due to inclement weather. You can pay your entrance pass when you arrive at the park. There are no reservations required for entering Big Bend National Park.

For Vehicles

If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.

Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses.

Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Panther Junction Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Chisos Basin Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Maverick Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

More information

Admits one non-commercial motorcycle; valid for 7 days.
More information

For Individuals without a Vehicle

If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.

Admits one individual. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians; valid for 7 days.
More information

For Organizations & Businesses

Companies conducting business in the park are required to obtain a commercial use authorization. The only exception is companies travelling in a 26-person capacity or greater vehicle; such vehicles are charged a flat fee of $200 (commercial use authorization not required).

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Maverick Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

More information

Organized groups such as Scouts, clubs, etc. that do not qualify for an academic fee waiver are charged as follows: $30 per non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 or less. $15 per person traveling in a non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more. Fees will not exceed the commercial rate for the same sized vehicle. Youth 15 and younger are free. Individuals or families with a valid annual or lifetime pass may use their pass for themselves and up to 3 others.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Maverick Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

More information

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/management/cua.htm

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Chisos Basin Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Panther Junction Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Maverick Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

More information

These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle. For sedan with 1 to 6 seats, the fee is $30 + $15 per client. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Maverick Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Panther Junction Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

More information
Annual Entrance - Park

Annual Entrance - Park

$55.00

Big Bend National Park Annual Pass Covers entrance fees to Big Bend National Park. Pass is available at Big Bend National Park entrance stations or any visitor center. Good for one year from purchase date. Pass is non-transferable.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Maverick Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Entrance Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Chisos Basin Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Panther Junction Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Rio Grande Village Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Persimmon Gap Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Castolon Visitor Center

    Credit/Debit Only

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

A stack of all six versions of the America the Beautiful Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

  • National Park Service
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service
  • US Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
One private vehicle fee
or
Four per person fees

Type Available to Price
Annual Pass Everyone $80.00
Senior Annual Pass US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old $20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old $80.00
Military Annual Pass Current US military and dependents Free
Military Lifetime Pass Gold Star Family members and veterans Free
Access Pass US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability Free
4th Grade Pass US 4th graders Free
Volunteer Pass Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours Free

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In Person (Recommended)

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

 

Big Bend National Park Entrance Fees

  • Vehicle: $30
    Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.

  • Motorcycle: $25
    Admits one non-commercial motorcycle; valid for 7 days.

  • Individuals: $15
    Admits one individual. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians; valid for 7 days.

  • Big Bend Annual Pass: $55 (good for one year from purchase date)
    Covers entrance fees to Big Bend National Park. Pass is available at Big Bend National Park entrance stations or any visitor center. Pass is non-transferable.

  • Organized Non-commercial groups:
    • Organized groups such as Scouts, youth groups, churches, reunions, clubs, etc. that do not qualify for an academic fee waiver are charged as follows:
    • --$30 per non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 or less.
    • --$15 per person traveling in a non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more. Fees will not exceed the commercial rate for the same sized vehicle.
    • Youth 15 and younger are free. Individuals or families with a valid annual or lifetime pass may use their pass for themselves and up to 3 others.
  • Commercial Groups:
    Companies conducting business in the park are required to obtain a commercial use authorization. The only exception is companies travelling in a 26 person capacity or greater vehicle; such vehicles are charged a flat fee of $200 (commercial use authorization not required).

  • Educational Groups:
    Groups entering the park for education purposes are encouraged to check the academic fee waiver for application and qualification information.
  • Hiking groups over 30 and backpacking groups over 15 require a Special Use Permit
  • Coming With A Large Group?
    The maximum group size is limited to 50 participants in the park on one (specified) day, with a maximum of one bus per day.
    If you plan on visiting Big Bend with a motorcoach or large bus, there are limitations on access and parking that you must plan for “Summary of Rules for Motorcoaches and Buses.”

 

CAMPING FEES

  • Developed Campgrounds
    The National Park Service operates three developed frontcountry campgrounds; Rio Grande Village Campground, Chisos Basin Campground, and Cottonwood Campground. The cost is $16 per night per site ($8 per night with Senior or Access pass).
  • Campground Reservations
    Reservations required. Approximately 2/3 of the campsites at Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin campgrounds are reservable up to 6 months in advance, and 1/3 up to 14 days in advance. Cottonwood Campground campsites are reservable up to 14 days in advance. Reservations may be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Big Bend National Park cannot make reservations.
  • Backcountry Campsites
    Backcountry campsites require a $10 per night backcountry use permit ($5 with a Senior or Access pass), which must be acquired either online at www.recreation.gov, or in person at either the Panther Junction or Chisos Basin visitor centers during normal business hours. Learn more about Backcountry Camping.
 
Maverick Entrance Station
Visitors arrive at the Maverick Entrance Station.

Last updated: September 23, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834-0129

Phone:

432-477-2251

Contact Us