Big Bend is a magical, captivating piece of west Texas, but it is not a quick trip for anyone. It requires driving, and once you arrive, more driving, much more driving. So, we want to make sure you have the big picture of everything this park has to offer. A few highlights won’t do it justice.
Big Bend National Park is so amazing and so vast that for this particular location, we need to break it up into smaller chunks; the desert, the mountains, & the river.
Let’s start with the desert. Panther Junction is a great place to begin your visit to Big Bend. This is where you can find park information, talk to a ranger, and watch the park orientation film. Don’t forget to pick up a Junior Ranger Book for the kids!
The Fossil Discovery Exhibit is a great look at what creatures were roaming the area during prehistoric times. Kids can also earn a Junior Ranger Paleontologist Badge. Click here for more info.
There is more to this desert than just sand. Big Bend has more species of birds, bats, and cacti than any other National Park. Make time for a picnic, a desert hike, and a stop at one of the overlooks on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
Now let’s talk mountains. The Chisos Basin is in the heart of Big Bend. This is where you will find the only lodge in the park, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop. There are many scenic hikes and picturesque views, and the elevation makes it especially nice in the summertime when the rest of the park is sizzling.
You might get lucky and spot a black bear, or the super elusive mountain lion.
The River areas of Big Bend are special. Not only can you soak up the culture and history of the Rio Grande, you can also soak your sore muscles in a natural hot spring right on the river. What a treat this is after a long day of hiking. Unfortunately, when we visited the river level was up and it flooded the hot spring. Here are some pictures from the national park website if you’d like to see what it usually looks like.
The Santa Elena Canyon is arguably the most well-known landmark in Big Bend. Outfitters are available if you’d like to paddle the Rio Grande River through the canyon, or alternatively you can hike along the Santa Elena Canyon Trail.
If you have time, both the Hot Springs Historic District and Castolon Historic District are worth a stop. Brochures are available for you to go on a self-guided walking tour.
There is one last thing we hope you will get to experience. The beautiful sunsets here are the first part of an awe-inspiring double feature. Big Bend is an International Dark Sky Park. It is the darkest National Park in the contiguous states and on a clear, moonless night you can see the Milky Way.
The Basics:
Big Bend National Park Website
Vehicle: $30 for 7 days.
Educational Groups:
Check the academic fee waiver to see if your group qualifies for free entry.
Panther Junction Visitor Center
Open daily, 8:30 am–5:00 pm.
Chisos Basin Visitor Center
Open daily, 8:30 am–4:00 pm.
Persimmon Gap Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November 1 – April 30, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
Castolon Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November 1 – April 30, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
Rio Grande Village Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November 1 – April 30, 9:00 am–4:30 pm.
Tips for Visitors:
- Print a Junior Ranger book ahead of time to get your kids interested and give them something to do on that long drive to west Texas.
- When you have the opportunity to put gas in your vehicle, do it! Big Bend is larger than the state of Rhode Island. There are 2 service stations in the park, Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village.
- Check the calendar for Ranger-led activities and educational programs.
- The busy season is November – January and Spring Break.
Additional Resources:
Books:
Enjoying Big Bend National Park: A Friendly Guide to Adventures for Everyone
by W L Moody Jr
NATURAL HISTORY SERIES
Children’s Books:
Waiting is Not Easy
By Mo Willems
