Big Bend National Park in Texas, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Big Bend National Park brings together the Chihuahuan Desert, the Chisos Mountains, and the Rio Grande in southwest Texas. A visit can combine mountain viewpoints, desert drives, and river trips, but distances and road conditions shape what you can do. Choose your main area before setting out, and arrange overnight accommodation in advance.

Highlights of Big Bend

• Chisos Basin: Mountain scenery and the short Window View Trail offer a different setting from the desert below.
• Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: Overlooks and historic ranch sites introduce the western part of the park. The final paved section toward Santa Elena Canyon is closed; check access before planning the full route.
• Fossil Discovery Exhibit: This stop north of Panther Junction adds context about the animals and environments that preceded today's desert.
• Rio Grande Village: The river corridor provides birdwatching and a nature trail with a short accessible boardwalk approach.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Desert and mountain safety

Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day. Do not count on desert springs for your supply. Avoid strenuous desert walks during midday heat, and tell someone your route and return plan. Sudden storms can flood washes and expose hikers on ridges to lightning.

Use a vehicle suited to your route. Primitive roads require high clearance and true four-wheel drive; vehicle capability does not override a closure. The Chisos Basin road is not recommended for RVs longer than 24 feet or trailers longer than 20 feet. When Santa Elena access resumes, ask about Terlingua Creek before hiking: reaching the trail requires crossing its bed, and high water can make that unsafe.

Visit responsibly

Pets cannot accompany you on trails, off roads, or on the river. Keep them leashed within six feet or in a cage in permitted areas. A hiking party with a pet needs a person who can stay behind with it or an outside boarding arrangement; the park has no kennel.

Wood fires and ground fires are prohibited. Camp only under the park's designated-site and permit rules. Do not treat an empty roadside pullout as an overnight campsite.

Reservations and backcountry permits

You do not need an entry reservation. You do need advance arrangements for developed camping or the Chisos Mountains Lodge. The park does not offer first-come, first-served developed camping.

Backcountry permits apply to overnight backpacking, primitive camping, river use, and horse or stock use. Although some sites normally have online permits, the camping page currently directs visitors to obtain all backcountry campsites in person at Panther Junction because of rain damage and road closures. Follow this temporary instruction and confirm available routes with staff. Start with the camping and permit guidance.

Maps, location, and road access

Big Bend lies on the Rio Grande in southwest Texas. Approach from Alpine on TX 118 toward Study Butte, or from Marathon on US 385. These are different approaches to a large park, so route to a specific visitor center or campground rather than a general map pin.

Use the official road and developed-area maps to connect Panther Junction, Chisos Basin, and Rio Grande Village. Carry a paper copy: mapping apps can suggest unsuitable roads here. Buy major supplies before reaching the park, where store selection is limited.

Nearby parks to add to your route

• Big Bend Ranch State Park: Continue west toward Lajitas and FM 170 for the state park's river district. Its interior requires a separate plan for rugged roads.
• Davis Mountains State Park: A farther regional stop near Fort Davis, reached from TX 118 and Park Road 3. It fits a longer drive north through West Texas.

Choose your day in the desert or mountains

For a short walk in the Chisos Basin, the 0.3-mile Window View Trail provides mountain views on an accessible route. It is a different outing from the longer Window Trail. Allow more preparation and time for a mountain hike such as Lost Mine.

A driving day can connect western overlooks with the short walks at Sam Nail Ranch or Homer Wilson Ranch, subject to road access. Avoid building an itinerary around Santa Elena Canyon or Hot Springs until their approach roads reopen. For a lower-key stop, visit the Fossil Discovery Exhibit or look for a ranger program at Panther Junction.

Birdwatchers can focus on the river corridor or desert oases such as Dugout Wells. River trips require separate planning, permits, and suitable conditions; local outfitters offer guided outings and equipment services.

Visitor centers, supplies, and overnight stays

Panther Junction is the main orientation stop, with maps, exhibits, a bookstore, restrooms, drinking water, and reserved accessible parking. The entrance ramp and visitor facilities support wheelchair access. The accessibility guide identifies additional trails, toilets, and campsites by location.

• Camping: NPS operates Chisos Basin, Rio Grande Village, and Cottonwood campgrounds with water and toilets. A separate concession RV park at Rio Grande Village has full hookups. Check seasonal availability before booking.
• Lodging and meals: Chisos Mountains Lodge provides rooms and cottages. Its restaurant is closed; a food truck operates outside the main lodge. Confirm meal availability before relying on it.
• Fuel and supplies: Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village have service stations. Stores carry basic groceries and camping supplies.

About the park

People along the Rio Grande

Indigenous communities used this region for thousands of years, leaving archaeological sites and pictographs. Later settlement included farming along the river, ranching, mining, and trading. Castolon and other historic places help connect the landscape with those livelihoods and the communities on both sides of the border.

Wildlife across three environments

The river, desert, and mountain forests support different animals. Black bears inhabit the Chisos Mountains; javelinas use areas around springs and dense vegetation. Mule deer and coyotes may be active near dawn or dusk, while many desert mammals avoid daytime heat. Look for wildlife from a distance, and never approach a bear or mountain lion.

Contact Big Bend National Park

Call Panther Junction visitor information at 432-477-2251. The mailing address is Big Bend National Park, P.O. Box 129, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834. Use the NPS contact page for email inquiries. The mailing address is not a driving destination.