Big Bend National Park

Panther Junction Visitor Center, park headquarters · Terlingua, TX

Why you should go…

Big Bend covers more than 800,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert where the Rio Grande forms the border with Mexico. The Chisos Mountains rise in the middle of the park, topped by Emory Peak at 7,832 feet, and the river cuts the Santa Elena, Mariscal and Boquillas canyons. Night skies here are very dark. Entrance fees are card only, and cell service is spotty across the park.

#national park
#hiking
#desert
#stargazing
#rio grande

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

Weather calls the shots
Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.
Shoes, water, sun cover
The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.
Parking and launches fill early
On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.
Daylight shrinks in shoulder season
Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.