Along with the curve of the Rio Grande and deep, rugged landscapes of Texas, Big Bend National Park is an iconic destination that offers a lot of exciting activities for visitors. It is home to more than 1000 species of wild plants and animals, including 450+ bird species, 75 mammal species, and 56 reptile species. This park is known for its amazing contrasting Chihuahuan Desert landscapes, the rugged peaks of the Chisos Mountains, and deep, river-carved canyons. During your Big Bend National Park exploration, you’ll enjoy numerous scenic drives, hiking spots, and thrilling adventures. In 2001, UNESCO designated Big Bend National Park as a Globally Important Bird Area.
In this blog, we will discuss this lovely Big Bend National Park, its history, and nearby top attractions like scenic drives and hiking trails. Here, you will also get to know which season is ideal for you to explore.
History of Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park was established on 12th June 1935 which is the largest tract of the Chihuahuan Desert in the US. It is the first national park in Texas that contains a mountain range like the Chisos Mountains. The park is named after the Rio Grande River, which runs along the US–Mexico border.
Big Bend National Park has nine sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spanish explorers, farmers, and ranchers later settled the area. They discovered fossils of pterosaurs and the skull of a Chasmosaurus has been found.
Famous Attractions to Visit in Big Bend National Park
There are a lot of famous attractions to visit in the Big Bend National Park which is divided into many different areas and places, like Mountains, Scenic Drives, Hiking Trails, Canyons Historical Sites and many more. These are just some names; there are also so many places available for you that you should visit at least once in your life. If this is your first time, then you should know that this park is only chargeable at the time of entry.
The entrance fees that you have to pay are $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle and $15 per person for a bicyclist or hiker, but self-guided entry costs $13 to $17. This park doesn’t accept cash, not at the entrance and not even inside the park. You will also not receive a refund if the weather is not good. There is no reservation required, so you can pay at entry too but if you want to make a reservation in advance, you can do so online.
The hours and fees of the park depend on the season and weather but the entrance is open 24 hours. You can arrive at any time but the fee station and visitor centre may be closed after business hours. But if you have already booked your tickets online, then you can enter the park at any time.
Santa Elena Canyon
Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park’s most attractive and nature-preserved place, which can be perfect for a jungle cruise adventure. It features 1,500-foot cliffs and is located about 8 miles west of Castolon, along the Rio Grande. It can be reached via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive or Old Maverick Road. If you want to hike the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, it will take you 45 minutes in 1.62 miles. You have to climb so many ramps and stairs to get there, but the best way to see this is by raft or canoe. There are also a lot of opportunities to explore wildlife, hiking and camping.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drives
Located between the desert and mountains, Ross Maxwell scenic drives is a most popular paved sightseeing routes in Big Bend National Park. It is a 30-mile route that passes by stops like Mule Ears Overlook, Tuff Canyon and Santa Elena Canyon. As you travel the route, you will pass Castolon, a historic settlement with a small store selling cold drinks, snacks, and ice cream. There are also campgrounds where you can sit with tables, which is the best location to watch the birds and wildlife.
Lost Mine Trail
The most popular place for hiking in Big Bend National Park is Lost Mine Trail which will be your next must-visit place. It is a 4.8-mile trail that will take you approximately 2.5 hours to complete. At the top, you can enjoy cool breezes, breathtaking views, and a pleasant atmosphere. While hiking, you can spot breathtaking views of scenic areas, and at the end, you will find the exposed rock section from a height but if you are afraid of heights, then you can enjoy the view from afar too. Hiking this trail is highly recommended at sunrise or sunset for the incredible views.
The Chisos Mountains
The most popular and hearty place in Big Bend National Park is the Chisos Mountains which is another must-visit place. The Chisos Mountains are located about 20 miles southwest of Panther Junction in the northeast. They are the only mountain range located entirely within a single US national park. A 7-mile-long paved road climbs into the Chisos Mountains Basin. In the Basin, there is a developed National Park Service Campground. The Chisos Mountains only have a hotel in the park and a dining room with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, offering a varied menu including vegetarian options.
Hot Springs Historic District
Visit the Hot Springs Historic District, the most unique attraction in Big Bend, where you can soak in 105°F natural springs while overlooking the Rio Grande and Mexico. You have to drive on the narrow and winding dirt road to get there. Once you get there, you can capture amazing photos while exploring a post office from the 1920s and a motel too for staying. You should visit early or at the time of sunset to avoid the rush and be able to take your time to click photos.
Rio Grande Village Store
One of the most well-rounded and convenient areas in Big Bend National Park is Rio Grande Village. It is full of a campground, visitor centre, dump station, small shops and a gas station. From here you can walk to the Village Nature Trail and it is perfect for birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and sunset watching from the riverbank.
Best Weather to Visit Big Bend, National Park
- Late October to November has the best weather to visit because, at this time, the weather will be so pleasant and the temperature will be around 60 degrees to 80 degrees F. It will make the view of trees, river, and sky beautiful and at night you can see the clear and shining stars.
- You can also visit from March to April because the weather will be so peaceful and the temperature will be around 50 degrees F to 80 degrees F. It makes the weather so beautiful; the desert starts to bloom with wildflowers.
- Don’t plan to visit the park from May to August because the weather will be so hot and the temperature will be around 100 degrees F. July through September brings monsoon rains, which can make outdoor activities challenging and some roads impassable.
- During the winter months of December to February, the temperature will be so cold that it will be around 35 degrees F to 65 degrees F. The night sky stars will be clearly visible and the area will be quiet because of fewer visitors due to cold weather. But some places and services will be closed and limited.
How to reach Big Bend National Park?
Big Bend National Park is located in Southwest Texas at 1 Panther Junction, TX 79834. There are many ways, but if you go by car, you are able to take it inside the park and there are also parking facilities without any extra fees. You will also get parking facilities at the place you will stay. If you go by bus, a charter bus is the best option. It will drop you to nearby towns like Alpine or Marathon and after that you will need to arrange your own transportation from there, as no public transit operates inside the park.
Where to Stay Inside The Big Bend
The inside place to stay inside the Big Bend National Park are Chisos Mountain Lodge and Cottonwood Campground.
- Chisos Mountain Lodge: It is located in the basin of the majestic Chisos Mountains. It is the only lodge to stay inside the park. They provide all types of comforts and hospitality. It has 72 rooms for guests, with non-smoking rooms and close to the dining area. They don’t have telephone and cell phones inside the room as they want to give privacy to their guests. It also has some places to visit inside the hotel, including a gift shop and visitor area. The price of one night is approx $200 as per season. But you have to reserve your room before going because maybe after reaching there you will not be able to get in.
- Cottonwood Campground: It is located on the western side of the park which is located between the Castolon Historic District. There are a total 22 campsites in which 21 are for individuals and 1 is for group camping. But you have to reserve it in advance for 14 days only. No electrical hookups or generators are permitted at campsites. Each campsite allows a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 25 persons. Prices range from $15–$20 per person per night, and $30–$40 for a group campsite, depending on season and site type.
Essential Tips for Visiting Big Bend National Park
- Fill up your gas tank before entering the park, as fuel inside is limited and expensive.
- If you like the sunrise or sunset view then don’t miss this opportunity to witness this breathtaking view from the top of Chisos Mountains.
- It is going to be a perfect place to see the stars. Big Bend is renowned for its exceptionally dark skies, one of the best places in the US for stargazing. So, when the nights are so dark, we are clearly able to see the stars, learn about constellations and enjoy the spectacular display of stars overhead.
- If you like unique birds and animals, then this is going to be your favourite place because this place is known as a home of plants, animals and birds. Keep your eyes open wide while exploring the park to spot the many rare species.
Conclusion
We hope this blog helps you to understand the history of the Big Bend National Park in Texas. Researchers have discovered diverse species, dinosaur fossils, plants, and animals within the park. It has many different attractive places to visit like Chisos Mountain and many more for hiking, seeing birds, stargazing, etc. You can go there by charter bus and by car. There are some tips for you to keep in mind while travelling.