USA Vacations

Texas Vacations

Abilene

Alibates Flint Quarries

Amistad Recreation Area

Arlington

Austin

Beaumont

Big Bend National Park

Brownsville

Corpus Christi

Dallas

El Paso

Fort Worth

Fredericksburg

Galveston

Houston

San Antonio

Big Bend National Park Vacations, Upscale Tours and Big Bend Travel Packages

NPS Big Bend Photo

Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande forms the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; Big Bend National Park administers approximately one-quarter of that boundary. Within the 118 twisting miles that also define the park’s southern boundary, the river’s southeasterly flow changes abruptly to the northeast and forms the “big bend” of the Rio Grande.

Because the Rio Grande serves as an international boundary, the park faces unusual constraints when administering and enforcing park rules, regulations, and policies. The park has jurisdiction only to the center of the deepest river channel; the rest of the river lies within the Republic of Mexico.

South of the border, people call the Rio Grande by its Spanish name, Rio Bravo del Norte. South of the river lie the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Coahuila and the new protected areas for flora and fauna, which are comprised of regions known as the Maderas del Carmen and the Cañon de Santa Elena.
 
San Vicente Canyon 
 
Big Bend National Park has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. Few areas exceed the park’s value for the protection and study of geologic and paleontologic resources. Cretaceous and Tertiary fossil organisms exist in variety and abundance. Archeologists have discovered artifacts estimated to be 9,000 years old, and historic buildings and landscapes offer graphic illustration of life along the international border at the turn of the century.

The park exhibits dramatic contrasts; its climate may be characterized as one of extremes. Dry, hot late spring and early summer days often exceed 100 degrees in the lower elevations. Winters are normally mild throughout the park, but sub-freezing temperatures occasionally occur. Because of the range in altitude from approximately 1,800 feet along the river to 7,800 feet in the Chisos Mountains, a wide variation in available moisture and in temperature exists throughout the park. These variations contribute to an exceptional diversity in plant and animal habitats.

The 118 river miles that form the southern park boundary include the spectacular canyons of Santa Elena, Mariscal, and Boquillas. The Rio Grande, meandering through this portion of the Chihuahuan Desert, has cut deep canyons with nearly vertical walls through three uplifts comprised primarily of limestone. Throughout the open desert areas, the highly productive Rio Grande riparian zone includes various plant and animal species and significant cultural resources. The vegetative belt extends into the desert along creeks and arroyos. 
 
Hikers regard the Rio Grande
 
Cultural resources in the park range from the Paleo-Indian period 10,500 years ago through the historic period represented by Native American groups, such as the Chisos, Mescalero Apache, and Comanche. More recently, Spanish, Mexican, and American settlers farmed, ranched, and mined in the area.

Throughout the prehistoric period, humans found shelter and maintained open campsites throughout the park. The archeological record reveals an Archaic-period desert culture whose inhabitants developed a nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle that remained virtually unchanged for several thousand years.

The historic cultural landscape centers upon various subsistence or commercial land uses. The riparian and tributary environments were used for subsistence and irrigation farming. Transportation networks, irrigation structures, simple domestic residences and outbuildings, and planed and terraced farm land lining the stream banks characterize these landscapes.

Big Bend National Park lies in south Brewster County, one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country. Brewster County consists of 6,204 square miles and has a population of approximately 13,000 people. Most of the population resides in two towns: Marathon and Alpine, which lie 69 and 100 miles respectively to the north and northwest of park headquarters. The western gateway communities of Study Butte, Terlingua, and Lajitas have experienced growth in recent years but still lag behind Marathon and Alpine in terms of population. 
 
Exploring Santa Elena Canyon
 
There are as many ways to enjoy Big Bend as there are people who visit. The diversity of recreational options here offers something for almost everyone. While many visitors are content to enjoy Big Bend from the comfort of the paved scenic drives, others with rugged vehicles prefer the challenge and remoteness of the park’s many unimproved dirt roads.

Any park ranger will tell you that neither desert nor mountains will truly reveal themselves to a motor vehicle. To experience the best of Big Bend, you should get out on foot, if only for a short time, and become part of the landscape. Listen to the desert silence, smell the creosotebush, and gaze towards a distant mountain range, and you will soon realize how special this place is.

How NOT to die in the Desert  
 
 With over 800, 000 acres of remote desert and mountains, visitors to Big Bend can wander and explore to their hearts’ content. But with this freedom comes risk. Every year, park staff must rescue hikers who either underestimate the terrain and/or temperatures or overestimate their own abilities. This environment is not forgiving; hikers have died here after going just a few hours without water.

These are just a few examples of how a simple vacation turned disastrous for previous visitors:

In June 1957, a vehicle became stuck on the River Road. After attempts to dig it out failed, the occupants decided to walk out. The temperature that day was 114 degrees. The man walked 10 miles before dying from heat stroke. The woman left the road and found a spring, where she survived for 6 days before being rescued.

One weekend in May, a family set out on the Marufo Vega Trail, a rugged, steep, 14-mile route that is best done in the winter. They did not have a map and soon lost the trail. After hiking cross-country for several hours, they ran out of water and had to drink unfiltered water from the Rio Grande. Rangers found them attempting to walk upstream through Boquillas Canyon to reach the trailhead.

In May of 2004, a man became disoriented while hiking the Grapevine Hills Trail. Since the trail is fairly short (just over 2 miles round-trip), he apparently did not take any water with him. Rangers found his body the next morning less than a half-mile from the road.
Each of these incidents could have been easily prevented with just a little bit of planning. Before heading out on your own adventure, consider how you can prevent your trip from turning into a tragedy.

Talk to park staff. Find out about road and trail conditions, get trip advice, and buy the maps and guidebooks you need. Check the weather forecast, too
.
Let someone know where you’re going. Call family or friends at home to let them know your plans. Tell the camp hosts in the campground. Leave a note on your car stating where you’re going hiking and when you expect to return.

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and has a spare tire, a working jack, and other emergency equipment. Take extra water, food, and sleeping bags just in case. If you’re on foot, make sure all of your hiking and camping gear is in good shape.
If your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck, stay with it! It is much easier for rangers to find a car on a road than a person walking through the desert.

Know how to signal for help. Cell phones may not work here, so don’t count on being able to call out. Whistles, air horns, mirrors, and flares are all good attention-getters. While wood fires are not normally permitted in the park, they can be an effective signaling method of last resort, since the smoke can be seen for miles and will certainly get the attention of park rangers.
Have fun exploring Big Bend, but remember that YOU are responsible for your own safety. Plan ahead and stay alive!

Safety in the Sun
Even on short hikes, always take water or a sports drink. Wear a hat and loose-fitting long sleeves and long pants, and use sunscreen on all exposed skin.

Never underestimate the importance of drinking enough water out here. In Big Bend’s arid climate, your body loses water much faster than usual. Even a little physical activity, particularly in the heat of the day, greatly accelerates water loss. Headache, tiredness, and crankiness are signs that dehydration has already set in. (Thirst is an unreliable indicator; you may already be dehydrated before feeling thirsty.) Start your day in Big Bend well-hydrated, and continue to drink non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day.

Food is important, too, in order to replace the electrolytes that your body loses through sweating. Salty snacks help to maintain the electrolyte balance.
 
 
 
 
 

Expert Big Bend National Park Vacation Planners

Book your Big Bend National Park Vacation or Tour Here