Big Bend National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 785,097 acres (317,718 ha).

Designation: National Park. Listed as "Big Bend National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity, natural processes allowed (GAP 1). IUCN category II.

Established: 1935.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Camping activity
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail

Events

• Coffee with the Superintendent
• Sunset with the Superintendent
• In Search of Wings
• Astrophotography Workshop

Before you go

Limits

A reservation/permit is required for camping

Limits

overnight camping, alcoholic beverages, and pets are prohibited

Limits

overnight camping, alcoholic beverages, and pets are prohibited

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

History

Opened

1942

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened