Big Bend National Park
TX
Park Alerts (4)
About 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...
Things To Do
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Backpacking Big Bend
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.
Get a Big Bend Passport Stamp
Are you a "Passport to Your National Parks" cancellation collector? Big Bend National Park has a cancellation stamp to commemorate your visit in your passport book.
Big Bend Junior Rangers
Big Bend National Park invites young visitors to become official Junior Rangers.
View the Night Sky
Far away from most city lights, Big Bend National Park preserves pristine darkness. Take this chance to stargaze, and experience the half of the park that many of us miss - nighttime.
List of Hiking Trails in Big Bend
Hiking trails
See the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is accessible from a number of places in Big Bend National Park, and a variety of hiking trails provide even further opportunities to get up close and personal with our watery border with Mexico.
Available Activities
Weather
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.
Getting There
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.
Plan Your Visit
Let Cairn help you plan the perfect trip to Big Bend National Park with AI-powered itineraries.
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Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is always open. You can enter and exit at any time of the day or night. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Per Person
Admits one individual. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians; valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
Companies conducting business in the park are required to obtain a commercial use authorization. The only exception is companies travelling in a 26-person capacity or greater vehicle; such vehicles are charged a flat fee of $200 (commercial use authorization not required).
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
Organized groups such as Scouts, clubs, etc. that do not qualify for an academic fee waiver are charged as follows: $30 per non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 or less. $15 per person traveling in a non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more. Fees will not exceed the commercial rate for the same sized vehicle. Youth 15 and younger are free. Individuals or families with a valid annual or lifetime pass may use their pass for themselves and up to 3 others.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/management/cua.htm
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle. For sedan with 1 to 6 seats, the fee is $30 + $15 per client. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required.
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 1 private, non-commercial motorcycle with up to 2 total passengers.