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National Park

Big Bend National Park

Blooming Cenizo

Cenizo, or Big Bend Silverleaf blossoms after summer rains.

Photo: NPS

About

There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. Here, at the end of the road, hundreds of bird species take refuge in a solitary mountain range surrounded by weather-beaten desert. Tenacious cactus bloom in sublime southwestern sun, and species diversity is the best in the country. This magical place is Big Bend...

Activities

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingCampingBackcountry CampingFoodGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingBackcountry Hiking
Front-Country Hiking
Paddling
Canoeing
Canoe or Kayak Camping
Kayaking
Junior Ranger Program
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Park Film
Shopping
Bookstore and Park Store

Directions

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 east to park headquarters) or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles south to park headquarters). Distances between towns and services are considerable. Be sure you have plenty of gas, food, water, and supplies for your trip. There are no electric vehicle charging stations in Big Bend National Park. The closest EV charging station is 130 miles away in Fort Stockton.

Get directions →

Weather

Big Bend is in the Chihuahuan Desert. Sunshine is abundant year-round. Spring (March) is typically warm and pleasant and is the park's busiest season. Summer heat begins in May. It is extremely HOT. Temperatures vary greatly between the desert which is usually well above 100 degrees F by late morning, and the Chisos Mountains, which can be 10-15 degrees cooler. May - August are the hottest months. Fall and Winter (Nov-Feb) are mild and pleasant, but some freezing does occur. Snow is rare.

News

Invasive Tree Removal Along the Rio Grande
Jan 27, 2026

Invasive Tree Removal Along the Rio Grande

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – Big Bend National Park will cut down and apply herbicide to invasive tamarisk along the Rio Grande, including the Hot Springs area, February 12-28.

Critical Water Shortage in Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Jan 3, 2026

Critical Water Shortage in Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park, Texas—On December 23, 2025, the water pumps at Oak Spring failed completely. These pumps supply water to the Chisos Basin developed area from Oak Spring, the only water source for the Chisos Basin. The park immediately enacted Stage 2 water restrictions to conserve the water stored in the Chisos Basin water tanks.

Tourism to Big Bend National Park contributes $56.8 million to local economy
Sep 30, 2025

Tourism to Big Bend National Park contributes $56.8 million to local economy

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – A new National Park Service report shows that in 2024, 561 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $56.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting Big Bend National Park. These expenditures supported a total of 585 jobs, $17.3 million in labor income, $34.4 million in value added, and $63.7 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Big Bend National Park.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle$30.00
Entrance - Per Person$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$200.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$30.00