Sometimes considered "three parks in one," Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour's drive can take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here, you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude.
The Basics
Hours:
The park is open 24 hours daily, all year. The Panther Junction Visitor Center is open daily, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, but may be closed on Christmas Day. The entrance stations and other visitor centers have variable seasons and hours.
Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles west to park headquarters) or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles south to park headquarters).
Climate
Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour's drive can take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here, you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude.
Big Bend is relatively uncrowded much of the year. Visitation is highest in March and April. The park is extremely crowded during spring break, which is usually the second and third week in March. Easter weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day are also very busy. All lodging and campsites are usually full during these periods. Visitation is lowest in August and September.
Fees
Vehicle: $20/7 days Individual: $10/7 days, children 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.
Things To Do
You’ve driven many miles to get here, and have finally arrived at your destination: Big Bend National Park. But now what? Now that you’re here, how do you spend your time? Where should you go? What should you explore? The park is big, and often visitors have a limited amount of time to explore.
No matter how limited your time in Big Bend, remember that you will enjoy the park more if you stop your car and explore on foot. Big Bend National Park has a multitude of great hikes. That doesn’t mean that you have to hike miles on steep grades; there are also many short, easy walks and roadside exhibits where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the Chihuahuan Desert. Hiker’s guides and road guides are available at book sales areas throughout the park, and they offer more detailed information about Big Bend’s trails and roads. Attending ranger led activities and evening programs is also a good way to learn more about Big Bend. Remember, you don’t have to see everything on one trip.
You will probably enjoy the park more if you choose a few spots and explore them thoroughly to get a taste of what Big Bend has to offer. Then, come back another time to see the rest!
For Kids
Big Bend's habitats range from the Chihuahuan Desert to the Rio Grande to the Chisos Mountains, and all are rich with plants, animals, and stories of human history, giving children plenty of opportunity to explore.
Kids visiting the park enjoy visiting the exhibits and touchable map of the park at the Panther Junction Visitor Center, the Fossil Bone Exhibit area, the Hot Springs, the sand dune in Boquillas Canyon and the mountain lion exhibit at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center.
There are several easy hikes that kids of all ages can go on, including the Window View Trail and the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail. For older children, the Lost Mine Trail provides a good challenge and is an excellent day hike.
Get kids involved in ranger-led programs. These include guided hikes, slide programs, bird walks, and guided explorations of various park features. Check the schedule at any visitor center to make sure you take advantage of all the available programs. Stop by any of the park’s visitor centers for directions or further suggestions.
Picknicking
You can picnic almost anywhere in the park, but be sure to leave the area clean and pack out your trash. Picnic tables are provided at Rio Grande Village, Dugout Wells, Santa Elena Canyon, Castolon, the Chisos Basin, and Persimmon Gap.
Charcoal grills are provided at the Daniel's Ranch picinic area at Rio Grande Village and the Persimmon Gap picnic area. Charcoal only is allowed in the provided grills.
Hiking
Big Bend National park is a hiker’s paradise containing the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas. More than 150 miles of trails offer opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips.
Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the eastern end of Boquillas Canyon to 7,832 feet atop Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. These elevation changes produce an exceptional variety of plants, animals, and scenic vistas.
Big Bend has hiking experiences for just about everyone! For introductory hikes, you might consider one of the Self-Guiding Trails.
For something a little out in the desert, if you have a high-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle, you might consider one of our Backcountry Dayhikes.
Big Bend National Park is not typically considered a climbers’ destination, but it offers some scenic, challenging, and wildly varied rock climbs. Over the years, park visitors have often inquired about climbing, but there is little written. A rudimentary climber's guide is available by request at most visitor centers.
Climbing in the park is unofficially discouraged because there is little written information to disseminate, the quality of rock ranges from fair to terrifying, the weather can be extremely harsh, and the approaches can be long, waterless ordeals. Bolting of any kind, electric or hand, is strictly forbidden. Climbing in Big Bend National Park can be very rewarding, but leaving any trace of impact on this resource, over time, will surely jeopardize access.
Climb safe! A climbing helmet is an absolutely necessary part of a Big Bend climber's rack. Dehydration kills park visitors every year; you cannot bring too much water. All rock in Big Bend National Park is suspect, so belayer position and gear placement are especially critical.
Please get involved. If you climb in the park let a ranger know about it. Provide a photo or sketch if you can, and a written description of the location, route, and overall quality of the climb. Your information will be much appreciated by future climbers.
Permits are required for backcountry camping. Permits are not required for climbing, although voluntary registration at one of the visitor centers is encouraged. Some climbing areas are so remote, however, that a backcountry permit may be required to gain access to them. Please check in and out for safety reasons as well as to provide climbing information to park staff.
Most climbs in the park require traditional gear from small nuts to off width protection. Many climbs involve a significant approach so check the weather and pack accordingly. Helmets are highly recommended.
The use of portable electric drills is prohibited. Hand drilling is allowed only with written approval of the Superintendent. There are routes with bolts and even a few sport climbs in the park, but some were placed prior to any rules on the subject and some were placed illegally. Replacement of old bolts with 3/8 inch bolts is currently allowed.
Climbing, ascending, descending, or traversing an archeological or cultural resource is prohibited. Be aware of your impact and tread lightly.
Outdoor Bird and Wildlife Viewing
A Birder’s paradise
Big Bend’s location, near the 100th meridian in the middle of the continent and along a migration route, is ideal for bird diversity at all times of the year. While northern species migrate here to enjoy warm winters, birds from the tropics range this far north to breed in the spring. One of Big Bend’s highlights, the Colima Warbler, is only found in the United States exclusively in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park from April to September.
Remember, birds can be unpredictable and they do not read guide books. During any visit to the park, you should speak with other bird watchers to find out what is being seen and where.
Observations/Documentation
Each of these species is evocative of Big Bend National Park. Each is a Southwestern U.S. species that spends much, if not all of the year in the park (it doesn’t just migrate through). With some effort, each is observable within the park and is part of a classic group of Big Bend birds.
Gray Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
Common Black Hawk
Scaled Quail
White-winged Dove
Inca Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Elf Owl
Lesser Nighthawk
Lucifer Hummingbird
Blue-throated Hummingbird
Magnificent Hummingbird
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Vermillion Flycatcher
Mexican Jay
Verdin
Cactus Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Black-capped Vireo
Curve-billed Thrasher
Crissal Thrasher
Phainopepla
Gray Vireo
Colima Warbler
Pyrrhuloxia
Varied Bunting
Canyon Towhee
Black-throated Sparrow
Cassin’s Sparrow
Black-chinned Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Scott’s Oriole
Hepatic Tanager
The best birding locations usually have close proximity to water, habitat and food. Within Big Bend, the traditional birding hot spots are Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Mountains, and the Cottonwood campground.
Other Possible Birding Spots
Hot Springs—Where Tornillo Creek meets the Rio Grande, good for wading, shore, and desert birds.
Dugout Wells—This is a great place for desert resident or migratory birds passing through. The wells often create a year-round wet spot and are surrounded by desert.
Sam Nail Ranch—Similar to Dugout Wells. Here you will find an isolated island where migratory and desert birds will be found.
Blue Creek—This is one of the better bird watching places in the foothills of the Chisos Mountains. Often spring sightings of gray and black-capped vireos along with Lucifer hummingbirds make this one must stop for many.
Santa Elena Canyon—During warmer times of the day the canyon walls create a cool place to poke around looking for more birds along the river.
Terlingua Abajo—A beautiful and large spring along Terlingua Creek has been home to numerous unique birds and stands out as one of the wettest spots in the park, with the exception of the Rio Grande.
Biking
Lightly traveled roads and varied terrain make Big Bend a premier bicycling location. Over 100 miles of paved roads, and 160 miles of backcountry dirt roads provide challenges for riders of all types and abilities. Bicyclists must be extremely cautious and well-prepared, but bicycling allows outstanding panoramic views, unobstructed by a windshield. It also allows the bicyclist to see and hear some of the smaller wonders of Big Bend from a more intimate viewpoint.
Share the Road
Bicyclists must share the roads with vehicles and obey all traffic laws. Traffic is sparse in summer and highest during March and early April and on holiday weekends during the winter. Use extreme caution, especially on paved roads, during busy times. In order to protect the fragile desert environment, off-road or single-track cycling is not allowed in the park. All bicycles must remain on paved and dirt roads.
Weather is often pleasant year-round and rewarding trips are possible most days of the year. Cycling from May to September is more of a challenge due to high temperatures; plan to take it easy when temperatures soar.
All Big Bend roads are open to cyclists, but acquiring a good map is a good idea.
Big Bend bike rides
Many of the rides in Big Bend National Park are easier with a shuttle. If you have the luxury of having someone shuttle your vehicle or pick you up after a long day of cycling, opportunities are endless. A few suggestions follow. Check with a ranger for more information.
If you have a shuttle available:
Panther Junction to Rio Grande Village
Difficulty: Easy
Distance:20 miles (all paved)
Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Although there are some hills, the ride is mostly downhill as the elevation drops 1900 feet. Be wary of large motorhomes and trailers traveling this road, especially in late winter and spring. For a variation, ride to Hot Springs on the 2-mile unpaved spur road 16 miles from Panther Junction. Your shuttle can meet you at either Rio Grande Village or Hot Springs. The ride allows outstanding views of the Sierra del Carmen and the Rio Grande in the distance.
Panther Junction to Rio Grande Village via the Glenn Spring Road
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 35 miles (10 miles paved, 25 miles unpaved)
Time: 4-6 hours
Ride six miles toward Rio Grande Village on the paved road, then turn right onto the Glenn Spring Road. Follow the Glenn Spring Road for 15 miles as it skirts the Chisos Mountains and leads to a flowing spring before joining the River Road. Turn left and follow the river road for 9.6 miles to its junction with the paved road. Turn right and ride on the paved road for four miles to Rio Grande Village.
Panther Junction to Castolon via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 35 miles (all paved)
Time: 3-6 hours
This ride traverses some of the most scenic terrain in the park. It skirts the Chisos Mountains and passes interesting geologic features and historic sites. Although the elevation loss between Panther Junction and Castolon is 1580 feet, the terrain is challenging with many steep hills.
Old Ore Road
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 26 miles (all unpaved)
Time: 4-6 hours
This premier ride is best taken from north to south for an easier ride and great views of the Chisos Mountains. The road is rough and rocky and the terrain is challenging. Park on the edge of the Dagger Flat Auto Trail at the north end of the Old Ore Road.
Old Maverick Road
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 13 miles (all unpaved)
Time: 1.5-2 hours (one way)
Start from the parking lot near the Maverick Entrance Station. This route is easiest from north to south. There are many good views along the route, which ends at Santa Elena Canyon. Seasoned riders can return to Maverick for a strenuous 26-mile trip.
If you do not have a shuttle available:
Panther Junction to the Chisos Basin
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 20 miles (all paved)
Time: 2-4 hours (roundtrip)
Ride three miles west of Panther Junction to the Basin Junction, three miles of gradual uphill. At the Basin Junction, turn left and ride seven miles to the Chisos Basin. This road is very steep, with 15% grades. The elevation gain is 1650 feet. Watch for traffic and be ready to pull off the road if necessary. This ride is an aerobic challenge even for those in excellent physical condition. The ride down is exhilarating. Watch for animals and obstacles on the road and make sure you don’t break the 45 mile per hour speed limit!
Grapevine Hills Road
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15 miles (all unpaved)
Time: 2-3 hours (roundtrip)
Park at the junction of the paved road and the Grapevine Hills Road for this ride past interesting rock formations. For variety, hike the two-mile round-trip Grapevine Hills Trail en route. Return the same way.
Paint Gap Road
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15 miles (all unpaved)
Time: 2-3 hours (roundtrip)
Park at the junction of the paved road and the Paint Gap Road. The road has a variety of substrates including sand and rocks, and is especially rough near the end. Return the same way.
Dagger Flat Auto Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 18 miles (all unpaved)
Time: 2-3 hours (roundtrip)
Park near the junction of the paved road and the Dagger Flat Auto Trail. This route is fairly flat, with a gentle uphill on the way out. Watch for sand along the way—you can get bogged down. There are many interesting plants, and bicyclists can take advantage of the auto tour guide booklet. Return the same way.
