Big Bend National Park Travel Information
Big Bend National Park covers 801,000 acres of some of the most
rugged country in west Texas. This is where the Rio Grande makes a
sharp turn—the Big Bend. It is a meeting place of many things: Texas
land and culture meets Mexico land and culture, desert meets
mountains; north flora, fauna and birds meet south; east flora, fauna
and birds meet west. Big Bend National Park encompasses rivers,
massive canyons, vast desert expanses and the entire Chisos Mountain
range. The rivers and mountains gather wildlife, birds and vegetation
not normally found in deserts. One hundred and eighteen miles of
river form the southern park boundary and include the deep-cut canyons
of Santa Elena, Mariscal and Boquillas. Guided rafting and canoeing
trips are available on the Rio Grande, especially through the largest
of the major canyons, Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Conchos and Rio
Grande rivers are lined with cottonwoods and willows, providing a
ribbon of green across the desert expanses. Beautiful panoramic
views, colorful badlands and the solitude of the desert combine with
over 100 miles of lightly used paved roads and 160 miles of
backcountry dirt roads to make Big Bend National Park one of the
foremost mountain biking destinations in Texas. The 15.3-mile
trail along Smoky Creek, through the Chisos foothills, is a popular
route for experienced hikers. Good map-reading and route-finding
skills are a must, but rewarded by access to several infrequently
traveled trails and routes for exploring. Hiking is widely permitted
in Big Bend, with several beginner trails as well as trails for the
more experienced. The park is located in the remote southwestern
corner of Texas on the Mexico border. Highways 118 or 385 have park
entrances.
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