Big Bend National Park
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... — nps.gov
Big Bend National Park at a glance
- State
- Texas
- Established
- June 12, 1944
- Size
- 801,162 acres
- 2025 visits
- 568,104
- Busiest-park rank
- #38 of 63
- Entrance
- $30 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Big Bend quiet?
Big Bend is busiest in March and quietest in August. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, February is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 568,104 recreation visits, the #38 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: AugustBusiest: March
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Big Bend
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Big Bend National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Big Bend
- Birdwatch at Cottonwood Campground15-60 Minutes · All year
Situated near the Rio Grande, under the shade of numerous large cottonwood trees, Cottonwood Campground is a great place to look for birds and other wildlife.
Pets OK - Birdwatch at Rio Grande Village Nature Trail15-45 Minutes · All year
Rio Grande Village is consistently one of the best places to find a large number of birds in Big Bend National Park. The principal area to search is the Nature Trail, located in the southeastern corner of the campground.
- Backpacking Big BendAll year
Big Bend National Park is a backpacker's paradise. For those who come prepared, there are hundreds of miles of trails, and vast expanses to explore.
Reservation/permitFee - Become a Big Bend ExpertAll year
The bookstore carries a large variety of educational books, videos, park information, and high quality souvenirs to help you learn more about the park and its resources or just help you remember your trip to Big Bend.
- Big Bend Junior RangersAll year
Big Bend National Park invites young visitors to become official Junior Rangers.
Pets OK - Bike Big BendWinter, Spring, Fall
Lightly traveled roads and varied terrain make Big Bend a premier bicycling location.
Pets OK Photography can be a rewarding experience for visitors. One of the best places is the Nature Trail at Rio Grande Village
- Explore Backcountry RoadsWinter, Spring, Fall
If you have a high-clearance, four wheel drive vehicle, Big Bend's primitive dirt roads provide many opportunities to get off the beaten path and explore the remote corners of this park.
Pets OK
Show all 19 things to doShow fewer
- Pets OK
- Hike Into Santa Elena CanyonAll year
- Hike the Lost Mine TrailAll year
- Join A RangerAll year
- Primitive Roadside CampsitesWinter, Spring, FallReservation/permitFeePets OK
- See the Rio GrandeAll year
- View the Night SkyAll yearPets OK
- Visit Boquillas, MexicoAll year
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Astronomy44
- Auto and ATV33
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Canoe or Kayak Camping20
- Canoeing19
- Food46
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Kayaking23
- Paddling32
- Scenic Driving30
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto19
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking22
- Stargazing39
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Big Bend
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.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Big Bend
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.
1 Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Big Bend
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park206 mi~5 h drive (est.)
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park212 mi~5 h drive (est.)
- White Sands National Park303 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Saguaro National Park490 mi~12 h drive (est.)
- Petrified Forest National Park549 mi~13 h drive (est.)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve602 mi~14 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: San Antonio (284 mi) · Austin (336 mi) · Dallas (452 mi) · Houston (472 mi)
Big Bend is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Big Bend National Park
FAQ
Big Bend, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Big Bend National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in February, the quietest shoulder-season month. March is the busiest month on average, and August the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Big Bend National Park?
- $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Big Bend National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Big Bend National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Big Bend National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 19 things to do in Big Bend National Park, including Birdwatch at Cottonwood Campground, Birdwatch at Rio Grande Village Nature Trail, Backpacking Big Bend, Become a Big Bend Expert, Big Bend Junior Rangers. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Big Bend National Park become a national park?
- Big Bend National Park was established as a national park on June 12, 1944.
- What is the closest national park to Big Bend?
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, about 206 miles away in a straight line (roughly 5 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Big Bend National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Big Bend National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/bibe.
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