"Beautiful, wild and remote Western Texas!" Top 5 Page for this destination Big Bend National Park by XenoHumph

Big Bend National Park Travel Guide: 190 reviews and 387 photos

Big Bend landscape - Big Bend National Park

A Guide to Big Bend National Park and Surroundings

Big Bend National Park preserves a splendid area of the Chihuahuan desert. The latter is located mainly in Mexico, but extends North in some parts of the US in the States of Texas and New Mexico. Big Bend National Park is nested in a big curve (hence the name!) of the Rio Grande river which is the border with Mexico.

This gorgeous Southwestern region of Texas is ideal for nature and desert lovers, for hikers, and for people who like to go off the beaten path. Indeed, sadly, but maybe blessingly, this national park is the least visited in the whole US, probably because it is so far off anything else.

You can learn more at the official Big Bend National Park website: http://www.nps.gov/bibe/home.htm or at http://www.visitbigbend.com

Prickly Pear Cactus flower, Big Bend NP

The national park is not the only place worth a visit in this region. West of it, there is the Big Bend State Park, even more isolated and remote than the national one! In Mexico, the land bordering the Rio Grande is also part of a national park. The Davis Mountains North of the park are just beautiful, as is the drive West along the Rio Grande. Finally the local towns within a 150 miles radius (240 km) have their local attractions and the peculiar charm of old Western Frontier settlements combined with that of modern border towns to Mexico: Terlingua, Study Butte, Lajitas, Alpine, Marathon, Marfa, Fort Davis.

Big Bend National Park Location:

Location of Big Bend NP, Texas, USA

The red star on the map!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Ideal for nature, desert and isolation lovers
Cons:None
In a nutshell:Go there!! Absolutely worth the trip!!

Last visit to Big Bend National Park: Sep 2003
Intro Updated Mar 2, 2007
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Reviews (60)

Study Butte, Texas - Big Bend National Park

Local architecture Local Customs (7)

I put this picture to show you what a typical little town in the Big Bend region looks like: ugly trailer houses... more travel advice

Latino Craft and Art Shop in Marathon - Big Bend National Park

Souvenir Shops Shopping (2)

The Visitor Centers of the park have books, post-cards and souvenirs on Big Bend. They are located at Persimmon Gap,... more travel advice

Grocery Store at Study Butte, Texas - Big Bend National Park

Where to Get Groceries Shopping (2)

Big Bend National Park being in the middle of nowhere, you might wonder where you can go grocery shopping! Inside the... more travel advice

The Rio Grande West of Big Bend NP - Big Bend National Park

Drive the Rio Grande Valley towards... Things to Do (21)

Drive the 92 miles (148 km) from Lajitas to Presidio, it is just beautiful! The road (Highway 170) follows the Rio... more travel advice

Nightlife (1)
Authentic UFOs!!
Off The Beaten Path (10)
See All Typical Plant (9): Mandrone Tree
Transportation (2)
See All Gas Stations
Warnings Or Dangers (6)
See All Flash Floods

Hotels (6)
See All Bed and Breakfast in Marathon
Restaurants (4)
See All Nice Western Restaurant in Marathon
Favorites (1)
Do not be afraid by the big distances!
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Comments (49)

SLLiew May 10, 2009 at 11:55 AM Report Abuse

Amazing photos of Big Bend NP.
ericmurray Jul 2, 2008 at 1:47 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for posting. I just want to correct the spelling in your title; "Venomous."
Leipzig Sep 1, 2007 at 8:52 AM Report Abuse

Wow, what a beautiful place. Your pictures are awesome
Ekahau Oct 4, 2006 at 4:25 PM Report Abuse

again such beautiful Photos -- this is not on my blue list never been here and would love to
Trekki Sep 24, 2005 at 6:57 AM Report Abuse

What a wonderful page, Anne ! Never was aware that Big Bend area is that stunning ! Must hike around in the Ciscos one day :-) Your pictures are awesome, especially the plant ones :-)
madamx Jul 10, 2005 at 11:17 PM Report Abuse

Excellent comprehensive page! Your landscape pictures are stunning as well. We are hoping to make it to Big Bend on our Texas roadtrip ~ Helen
uglyscot Jul 7, 2005 at 11:50 PM Report Abuse

lovely photos, but why is last travelogue duplicated within?
LauraWest May 13, 2005 at 4:09 PM Report Abuse

Haven't driven in Texas for about 2 decades; they still say"hi" w/ one finger & wave as they drive by?! Cool...I have great memories of my trip to Big Bend N.P. & numerous other "pure Texas" places
Gerrem Apr 4, 2005 at 2:45 AM Report Abuse

Great pages with wonderful pictures and many informations!
JLBG Mar 23, 2005 at 2:19 PM Report Abuse

The landscape through the window looks superb! I enjoy deserts and Big Bend National Park is the kind of place I like best! Superb pictures of plants! What is creosote? Any link with the chemical with the same name?