The Big Bend National Park spreads over 800,000 acres on the southwestern tip of Texas, where the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande River makes its "big bend." Featuring a rumpled landscape with soaring mountains and deep canyons, the park highlights a rugged desert landscape shaped over time by a meandering Rio Grande. Although the Chihuahua Desert engulfs the land, a wide variety of Texas wildlife and borderland plants thrive throughout the park.
   This remote park, well off the beaten path, cannot be seen in just a few hours. Over 270 miles of roadways, ranging from paved to primitive, are spread throughout the parkland. Park facilities do include a gas station, as well as visitor centers, a post office, campground, trailer park, and restaurant. Four visitor centers, most open seasonally, are found at Chisos Basin, Persimmon Gap, Grand Village and Panther Junction (open year round).
   This scene captures the Rio Grande as it flows through Santa Elena Canyon. The canyon is one of the most popular natural features in Big Bend National Park where towering limestone cliffs loom over river paddlers some 1500 feet tall. A backcountry-use permit is required for all Big Bend river trips.

     Area Map
     Park Map