National park · United States
Big Bend National Park
Give it at least one full day, two if you can: drive in from Marathon or Terlingua, walk the Chisos Basin trails in the morning, and reach Santa Elena Canyon or Boquillas by afternoon. Skip the day-trip idea — the nearest towns are 40–75 mi (64–121 km) from the gate.Give it at least one full day, two if you can: drive in from Marathon or Terlingua, walk the Chisos Basin trails in the morning, and reach Santa Elena Canyon or Boquillas by afternoon. Skip the day-trip idea — the nearest towns are 40–75 mi (40–75 mi) from the gate.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,242 km²1,252 sq mi
approximate
Established
1944
Best months
Feb, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 3,242 km²1,252 sq mi
- 801,163 acres (324,219 ha) per the park's enabling figures; boundary tracts have been added since 1944 (check).
- Established
- 1944
- Best months
- Feb, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Big Bend is the largest protected chunk of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States and one of the least visited parks in the lower 48: about 801,000 acres (324,000 ha) of desert, mountain and river, with roughly 300,000–350,000 visitors a year. The Rio Grande forms 118 mi (190 km) of the southern boundary and cuts three canyons — Santa Elena, Mariscal and Boquillas. Almost everything is backcountry; the developed pockets are Panther Junction, Chisos Basin, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. You need a car, you need to carry water, and you need to book Chisos Basin lodging months ahead.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1976Big Bend Biosphere Reserve, part of the US Man and the Biosphere programme (check).
Size and age
3,242 km²1,252 sq mi · national park since 1944
801,163 acres (324,219 ha) per the park's enabling figures; boundary tracts have been added since 1944 (check).
Why go
- Three ecosystems in one park: desert floor, the Chisos Mountains, and the river corridor.
- Santa Elena Canyon: a 1,500 ft (460 m) limestone slot you can walk into from the river road.
- The Chisos Basin is 10°F (5°C) cooler than the desert — the reason summer hiking works at all.The Chisos Basin is 10°F (41°F) cooler than the desert — the reason summer hiking works at all.
- More than 450 bird species recorded, and the only US nesting site of the Colima warbler.
- Dark skies: the park is certified for astronomy, and the nearest city lights are far away.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool days, cold nights; quiet after New Year
- FebMild, clear; wildflowers start low
- MarSpring break crowds; windy; cactus blooms
- AprWarm; Colima warbler arrives mid-month
- MayHottest month; desert trails unsafe midday
- JunExtreme heat; stick to the Basin
- JulRainy season starts; flash-flood risk in canyons
- AugRain and heat; storms over the desert
- SepRain tapers late month; still hot
- OctCooling, clear; best all-round walking
- NovDry and mild; Thanksgiving week is busy
- DecCold snaps possible; holiday weekends full
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javelinas and mule deer near roads at duskAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Colima warbler in Boot CanyonApr–Sep · Mid-April to mid-September only; the park's signature bird. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Cactus blooms and wildflowersMar–Apr | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Black bears and mountain lions in the ChisosAll year · Rare and shy; store food properly and give bears room. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hummingbirds and migrating songbirds along the riverApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Marathon, TX
US-385 south, 40 mi (64 km) to Persimmon Gap, then 30 mi (48 km) to Panther Junction.US-385 south, 40 mi (40 mi) to Persimmon Gap, then 30 mi (30 mi) to Panther Junction.
1.5 h
From Alpine, TX
TX-118 south past Study Butte to Maverick Junction, then 25 mi (40 km) east to Panther Junction.TX-118 south past Study Butte to Maverick Junction, then 25 mi (25 mi) east to Panther Junction.
2 h
From Presidio, TX
Ranch Road 170 east along the river to Study Butte, then TX-118; steep, winding, not for RVs.
2–2.5 h
From El Paso
I-10 east to Van Horn, US-90 through Marfa to Alpine, then TX-118 south.
6–7 h
Open the page →
From San Antonio
I-10 west to Fort Stockton, US-385 south to Marathon and the north entrance.
7–8 h
Open the page →
From Region plan
Where Big Bend sits among the Trans-Pecos stops.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chisos Basin | Mountain bowl with the lodge, campground, visitor centre and the main trailheads. | Open; lodge and campsites book out far ahead. |
| Panther Junction | Park headquarters, main visitor centre, gas station and post office at the crossroads. | Open year round. |
| Rio Grande Village | River campground, store, visitor centre and the Boquillas crossing. | Open; visitor centre closed May–Oct. |
| Castolon and Santa Elena | Historic district, store and the road to Santa Elena Canyon. | Visitor centre closed May–Oct; store open. |
| Backcountry and river | Unpaved roads, primitive campsites and the canyons. | Permit required for overnight stays. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$30 | vehicle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| Entrance, motorcycle | US$25 | motorcycle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| Entrance, per person on foot or bike | US$15 | person | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | Covers entry at federal sites for a year; 2026 estimate. |
| Chisos Basin campsite | US$16–26 | night | Tent sites; some hookups cost more (check). |
| Backcountry permit | US$10–12 | night | Required for overnight backcountry; free in some zones (check). |
| Boquillas crossing ferry and entry | US$5–10 | person | Rowboat across the river, then a Mexican entry fee; bring a passport. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
River trip (Santa Elena or Mariscal) permit or guide
Boquillas crossing permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed on trails, off-road or on the river; no kennels in the park — leave dogs at home.
- Water
- Carry at least 1 gallon (4 L) per person per day on desert trails; there is no water on the trails.
- Campfires
- Only in provided rings; charcoal and wood fires are banned in some zones during dry spells (check).check
- Drones
- Launching drones is prohibited in the park.
- Speed limit
- 45 mph (72 km/h) on park roads; wildlife and cyclists share the road.
- Border checkpoints
- US Border Patrol checkpoints sit on the main roads in; carry ID, and non-US visitors should carry documentation.
Where to stay
In the park
Chisos Mountains Lodge
The only in-park hotel, in the Basin; book months ahead.
In the park
Chisos Basin and Rio Grande Village campgrounds
Developed sites with restrooms; some take reservations, some are first-come.
Near the park
Terlingua and Study Butte
Motels, guesthouses and campgrounds 5–30 min from the west entrance.
Near the park
Marathon
Small hotels and inns about 40 mi (64 km) from the north entrance.Small hotels and inns about 40 mi (40 mi) from the north entrance.
Safety
Heat exhaustion on desert trails high
Flash floods in canyons and washes high
Remote roads and no phone signal medium
Wildlife on the road at dusk medium
River crossing to Boquillas low
Accessibility
- Visitor centres, the Chisos Basin store and lodge, and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive overlooks are reachable by car with short walks.
- The Window View and Basin Loop trails are partly graded; Santa Elena Canyon and Lost Mine are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps; desert litter lasts for years.
- Buy food, fuel and supplies in Terlingua, Study Butte or Marathon so the gateway towns keep the income.
- Stay on trails in the Chisos — the mountain soils and plants recover slowly.
- Use the Boquillas crossing and eat in the village; it is the main local income from the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Big Bend National Park?
US$30 per private vehicle for 7 days, US$25 per motorcycle, or US$15 per person arriving on foot or by bike (2026 estimate). The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry here and at other federal sites — worth it if you are also visiting Guadalupe Mountains or other parks on the same trip.
What are the best hikes in Big Bend National Park?
For most visitors: Lost Mine Trail (4.8 mi / 7.7 km round trip) for the view, the Window Trail (5.6 mi / 9 km) from the Basin, and the short walk into Santa Elena Canyon (1.7 mi / 2.7 km). Strong hikers add the South Rim loop, 12–14 mi (19–23 km) with about 2,000 ft (610 m) of climb — start before dawn in warm months.
When is the best time to visit Big Bend National Park?
February–April and October–November: mild days, cold nights, clear skies. Mid-November to early January and spring break are the busy windows, so book the Chisos Basin lodge and campsites early. May–June is dangerously hot on desert trails; July–October brings rain and flash-flood risk in the canyons.
Do I need a reservation to enter Big Bend?
No timed-entry reservation for the park itself. You do need to pay the entrance fee, and you need a free permit for overnight backcountry camping. Chisos Basin lodging and campsites are the real bottleneck — reserve months ahead for spring and autumn.
Can I visit Big Bend without a car?
Not realistically. There is no public transport into or inside the park, and the nearest towns are 40–75 mi (64–121 km) from the entrances. Outfitters in Terlingua and Study Butte run shuttles and guided trips, but you still need a way to reach them.
Is Big Bend crowded?
No, by national-park standards: roughly 300,000–350,000 visitors a year across 801,000 acres. The crowds concentrate at Chisos Basin, Santa Elena Canyon and Rio Grande Village in spring and over the winter holidays; a desert trail or backroad almost always means solitude.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go