Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park – an Introduction

The Big Bend National Park of Texas is one of the remotest USA national Parks. This national park in U.S is unique as it constitutes three distinct ecosystems. The Big Bend National Park offers far off view of the rugged landscapes reaching wide and far. A visit to this U.S national park will surely imbibe a feel in you that you are in the threshold of a mysterious kingdom, where everything is apparent but still unknown. The Big Bend National Park is named after the phenomenon of Rio Grande River taking a left bend while flowing across the Texas Desert. The river thus creates a border of Mexico formed naturally. This is also the reason behind the state having the bottom shape.



Visiting Big Bend National Park

If you are visiting the Big Bend National Park then do not take it very easily, as this is not at all an easy task. Hence one should make an elaborate itinerary for planning a vacation in this remote park. The best thing to do in Big Bend National Park is to plan a hiking trip and explore the national park at length to your hearts content. Visit the Chisos Mountains Basin and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and enjoy the excessive beauty of the place. If you have enough time then use them in a justified manner by studying each area in depth. You can also pay a visit to the Rio Grande Village and the Boquillas Canyon. This will be a splendid experience altogether viewing the Sierra del Carmenat sunset. The scenic drive along the road lying between Panther Junction and Persimmon Gap will also gift you with a pleasant memory to be cherished. Go for a float trip along the Rio Grande through any of the three canyons in the park.

Camping: There are camping opportunities available in the Big Bend National park and in the backcountry locations around it. Traditional campgrounds having family style are available in the park. It is recommended to have the reservation about 4 days prior to the arrival. Chisos Basin Campground, Cottonwood Camp ground, Rio Grande Village Camp ground and Rio Grande Village RV Campgrounds are the important venues.

Guided Tours: There are special ranger led guided programs available in the Big Bend National Park. They can be undertaken in groups or alone with the ranger.

Opening Hours

The park is open 24 hours daily, throughout the year. The Panther Junction Visitor Center is open daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It might remain closed on Christmas Day. The hours of the entrance stations and other visitor centers might vary with the season.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airports to the Big Bend National park are, El Pasoand Midland-Odessa

Road: The US 385 leads south to the north entrance to the park from Marathon. The road leading south to the west entrance is Tex. 118 from Alpine.