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 cool woodlands of the Chisos Mountains. 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. May and June average high
temperatures in the Chisos Mountains are in the 80s but can reach 95 degrees.
The basin and higher Chisos offer backpacking, day hiking on numerous trails,
wildlife watching, camping, hotels, restaurants and ranger programs. There is a
cost for personal ranger-guided tours—available on a first-come, first-served
basis.
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. Visitors
might spot some of the rarer animals, such as ringtail cats, black bears,
beavers and mountain lions. More than 450 bird species have been identified—more
than at any other national park.
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. Permits may be obtained at park visitor
centers.
Pet owners take note: Pets are not permitted on any trail, in the back
country or on the river. Pets are allowed in developed campgrounds and primitive
roadside campgrounds but must be on a leash at all times. 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. www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/lodging.htm.
Open daily. Admission charge. 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). www.nps.gov/bibe.