Safety

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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.

Be safe and be amazed by Big Bend National Park.

Duration:

4 minutes, 17 seconds

Preparing for a trip to Big Bend National Park? Learn how to experience the park safely, pack accordingly, and prepare for your awesome adventure!

 

As you enjoy the splendor of this great wilderness area, make safety a priority. By giving forethought to your actions you can have a safe, exciting, and rewarding vacation in Big Bend National Park.

 

Heat

• Carry plenty of water (at least one gallon per person, per day); springs are unreliable despite what maps indicate.
• Wear a hat, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and sun screen when hiking.
• A packable shade umbrella can provide welcome shade during the day.
• Avoid hiking during mid-day heat in summer.

 

Hiking

Exploring desert and mountain country on foot requires both mental and physical preparation. Trails vary from well maintained in the Chisos Mountains to primitive and barely visible in the desert. Plan hikes within your ability.

Big Bend Hiking - Hike Smart!
Every year rangers respond to numerous Big Bend hikers that are unprepared for the challenges of desert hiking.

• Let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Take along a map and compass and know how to use them.
• Carry a flashlight, first aid kit, and signaling device (mirror and whistle).
• Avoid narrow canyons or dry washes; flash floods may occur during thunderstorms.
• Stay low and avoid ridges during lightning.
• If you get hurt or lost, stay in one place to conserve water and energy. Signal for help (using whistle or mirror). In remote areas, mark a large "X" on the ground that could be visible from the air.

 

Driving Safely

• Drive within the speed limit, 45 mph maximum in the park, and watch carefully for javelina, deer, and rabbits grazing along road shoulders, especially at night. Vehicle accidents are a major cause of injury for park visitors.
• Park roadways were designed for relaxed and scenic exploration, NOT to provide the fastest route between two places.
  Slow down and enjoy your park.
• Always pull completely off the road to take pictures and/or enjoy the view — do NOT stop or pause on roadways.
• Park roads have limited shoulders and some are steep and winding and require extra caution.
• The road to the Chisos Basin is not recommended for RVs over 24 feet or trailers over 20 feet.
• Share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Select a designated driver before drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Driving Backcountry Roads requires an extra level of preparedness. Backcountry roads require vehicles with good tires, including a spare at a minimum and a working jack; some roads require a high clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicle. Take extra water, food, and sleeping bags just in case. If your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck, stay with it. It is much easier for rangers to find a car on a road than a person walking through the desert.

 

Fire

• Wood or ground fires are not permitted in the park.

• No Smoking on park trails.

• Exercise caution when using gas stoves, charcoal grills, or smoking cigarettes; restrictions may apply to the use of these heat sources during drought conditions.

 

Backcountry Preparation and Safety

Knowledge and preparation can increase your comfort level and reduce your chances of injury.

 

Swimming

Hot weather makes the muddy Rio Grande look very inviting, but swimming is not recommended. If you do choose to swim, wear a life jacket and avoid alcohol.

• The river can be hazardous, even in calm-looking water. Strong undercurrents, deep holes, and shallow areas with sharp rocks and large tree limbs are common.
• Water-borne micro-organisms and other waste materials can occur in the river and cause serious illness.
• Balmorhea State Park, 3 hours north of Big Bend provides crystal clear water in the world's largest spring fed swimming pool!

 

Weather

Watch the weather. Winter storms and thunderstorms can move in quickly. Hypothermia and lightning have both taken lives here. Rain can cause flash floods many miles away, so even if the sky overhead is clear, be careful around creek beds and the Rio Grande during the rainy season.

 

Be Bear Safe

Bear Safety in Big Bend

 

Wildlife Encounters

Black bears, javelinas, coyotes and skunks frequent campgrounds and may be encountered on trails. Although they sometimes appear tame, all of the animals in the park are wild, and could pose a threat to your health and safety if you attempt to approach or feed them.

• Never feed wildlife.
• Store all food, coolers, cooking utensils, and toiletries in a hard-sided vehicle, preferably in the trunk of your car. Use available food storage lockers in campsites.
• Dispose of garbage properly. Throw garbage in the bear-proof dumpsters and trash cans provided.
• Watch children closely; never let them run ahead or lag behind.
• If you encounter a bear or mountain lion, do not run, but back away to get out of range. If you feel threatened by a bear or lion, hold your ground, wave your arms, throw stones, and shout; never run. Keep groups together, look large.
• Venomous snakes, scorpions, spiders, and centipedes are active during warmer months. Inspect shoes, sleeping bags and bedding before use. Carry a flashlight at night. Pay attention to where you walk and place your hands. Consider wearing high boots or protective leggings while hiking.

 

Safety Along the Border

Big Bend has a low incidence of crime reported. However, in any remote or seldom-traveled location, it is important to consider personal safety and to secure valuables while away from your vehicle.

• Know where you are at all times and use common sense. Cell phone service is limited or non-existent in many areas of the park.
• Keep valuables, including spare change, out of sight and locked in your vehicle.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers.
• People in distress may ask for food, water, or other assistance. Report the location of the individuals to park or Border Patrol staff as soon as possible. Lack of water is a life-threatening emergency in the desert.
• Smuggling and illegal border crossing does occasionally occur in remote areas of Big Bend National Park. If you observe suspicious activity, do not intervene. Note the location, time, direction of travel, and call 911 when you can.
• Visiting a Border Area - Big Bend National Park

 

Duration:

7 minutes, 57 seconds

As you enjoy the magnificent open spaces of Big Bend, always keep safety a priority. This video explores the imagined versus the real dangers of Big Bend National Park.