This huge park encompasses 801,163 acres of magnificent contrasts. Visitors can travel from the Rio Grande with its spectacular canyons and jungle-like flood plain up through the Chihuahuan Desert, which constitutes the majority of the park, to the Chisos Mountains with cool woodlands. Its variation in elevation and temperature makes Big Bend an ideal year-round park. The desert areas are very challenging in the summer. The Chisos Basin is at an elevation of 5,400 feet and trails go higher from there, thus temperatures are relatively moderate even in summer with low humidity. The basin and higher Chisos offer backpacking, day hiking on numerous trails, wildlife watching, camping, hotels, restaurants and ranger programs. Fee for personal ranger-guided tours, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
May and June average high temperatures in the Chisos Mountains are in the 80s but can reach 95 degrees. With a diversity of Mexican and American plants, more than 1,200 plant types are found in the park. Animal life is just as varied. Desert wildlife is mostly nocturnal, but deer, coyotes, javelinas, gray fox, skunks, raccoons and jackrabbits might be seen during the day. Lucky visitors might spot some of the rarer animals, such as ringtail cat, black bear, beaver and mountain lion. More than 450 bird species have been identified—more than at any other national park.
One hundred million years ago, this area was ocean. And 65 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed the Big Bend. It is a vast land that invites exploration, not a park that can be seen in just a few hours. More than 201 miles of trails range from short, easy nature walks to primitive trails for experienced hikers. More than 100 miles of paved roads and about 170 miles of dirt roads are in the park. Check with any ranger for current conditions of all primitive, back-country and graded roads before attempting travel.
A permit is required for all back-country and primitive camping; also for all river users. Free permits may be obtained at park visitor centers.
Pet owners take note: Pets are not permitted on any trail and must be kept on leash at all times. In fact, pets aren't allowed outside developed areas: campgrounds and roadsides. Also, because of wild animals roaming the park, do not leave any pet unattended and, because of extreme heat, do not leave pets locked in cars. It's best to leave your pets at home.
Basic facilities in the park include visitor centers, post office, National Park Service campgrounds, a trailer park, store-gas stations and a restaurant-gift shop-lodge in the Chisos Mountains Basin. Lodging is available in the Basin area of the park. Advance reservations are strongly advised throughout the year, especially around holidays and during spring break. Write Chisos Mountains Lodge, Basin Rural Station, Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834. 432/477-2291.
Admission fee. The national park is accessible from Marathon via U.S. 385 (70 miles), from Alpine via Texas 118 (108 miles), and from Marfa/Presidio via U.S. 67 and F.M. 170 (156 miles).