The Details
Where the Rio Grande carves canyons through the Chihuahuan Desert on the remote Texas-Mexico border.
STATE
TX
ESTABLISHED
1944
AREA
801k acres
ECOSYSTEM
Desert
When To Visit
Best Time To Visit
MONTH BY MONTHBEST TIME TO GO
November–April: mild days and cool nights, comfortable in both the Chisos Mountains and the river lowlands.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
WEATHER
CROWDS
Weather: greatokaytough — heat, cold, snow, monsoon or closures
Crowds: quietmoderatebusy
CROWDS
Spring break (March) and Thanksgiving through New Year are busiest. Summer is nearly empty.
WEATHER
Lowlands exceed 100°F from May–September, and the July–October rainy season can cause flash floods. Winter cold fronts bring wind and freezing nights.
General patterns — conditions vary by year. Check current NPS alerts and road status before you go.
How Far
Park Entrances
SET YOUR LOCATIONEvery entrance is a different drive. Enter your ZIP to compare:
Persimmon Gap (north)
Maverick Entrance (west)
Nearest Airports
ESTIMATED DRIVE TO THE PARKMAF
DIRECTIONS →Midland Intl Air & SpaceNEAREST
≈ 209 mi · ~4.2 hr drive to Persimmon Gap (north)
ELP
DIRECTIONS →El Paso Intl
≈ 302 mi · ~6 hr drive to Persimmon Gap (north)
Distances are rough estimates to the closest entrance. Check road and ferry conditions before you go.
What To Do
Top Things To Do
◆Hike the Lost Mine Trail in the Chisos Mountains
◆Soak in the Langford Hot Springs by the Rio Grande
◆Paddle or walk into Santa Elena Canyon
◆Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
◆Stargaze under very dark skies
Where To Stay
Camping
Campgrounds inside the park are booked through Recreation.gov, and many fill months ahead.
FIND CAMPSITES ON RECREATION.GOV ↗Lodging & Nearby Towns
INSIDE THE PARK
Chisos Mountains Lodge
GATEWAY TOWNS
TerlinguaStudy ButteLajitasAlpineMarathon
Cool Facts & Figures
By The Numbers
#14
LARGEST OF 64
#28
OLDEST OF 64
801,163
ACRES
82
YEARS PROTECTED
◆More than 450 bird species have been recorded here — more than any other national park.
◆The park is named for the big bend the Rio Grande makes along Texas’s southern border.
Links
Plan Your Visit
OFFICIAL & TRUSTED SITESREADY TO GO?
Plan a trip to
Big Bend
Big Bend