The Rio Grande flows from its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado for 1,865 miles to the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. For 1,250 miles, the Rio Grande is the boundary between the United States and Mexico. In a remote stretch in west Texas, the river makes a curve to the northeast to form the "big bend." It is here that the wild character of the river lives on.
The Basics
Hours:
The park is open 24 hours daily all year.
Phone:
432-477-2251
Phone:
432-477-1183
Fax:
432-477-1175
Directions
Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River: 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
Sunshine is abundant year-round on the Rio Grande. While this sounds welcoming, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are dangers to guard against during the hot months. Conversely, hypothermia is a life-threatening danger during the balance of the year. Infrequent and brief periods of cloudy weather are confined mostly to the winter months. Appropriate clothing and other gear should be carried from November through April as cold fronts can bring freezing weather with rain or snow. The rainy season extends from mid-July through early October and can result in locally heavy thunderstorms and flash floods. Rapid river rises can be dangerous if unprepared. Relative humidity is normally between 25% - 40% year around. "
No entrance fee for day use. Overnight permits start at $10
Things To Do
The spectacular river canyons, the primitive character of the Rio Grande, and its international flavor provide a stimulating environment for a high quality recreational and scenic experience. The Rio Grande is a free-flowing river with a sufficient volume of water during normal years to permit full enjoyment of river recreational activities.
Imagine drifting down the Rio Grande through sheer walls of limestone, with the occasional sound of your paddle dipping in the water and the song of a canyon wren as your only acoustic accompaniments. A river trip through the spectacular canyons of the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River can offer you this type of wilderness escape.
