"Basaic Big Bend National Park Page" Top 5 Page for this destination Big Bend National Park by Basaic

Big Bend National Park Travel Guide: 174 reviews and 387 photos

Big Bend National Park

The Rio Grande River follows the border between Texas and Mexico for over 1000 miles. 244 miles of it are administered by the National Park Service in Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is sometimes called "three parks in one" because it has a mountain areas, a desert area and the area along the river. There is evidence of human habitation here for almost 10,000 years and fossils have been found from the Cretaceous and Tertiary Periods. At over 800,000 acres, Big Bend is also one of the largest parks under the National Park Service. Big Bend got its name from the way the Rio Grande curves in this part of West Texas.

Hot Springs and the Past

Big Bend was a popular destination for high society in the early 1900s. There were some fancy hotels here and a popular hot spring resort. This was also a popular crossing point into Mexico. The springs are still here but the facilities are closed and falling to ruin (still worth checking out though). The border crossing is closed not that it seemed to stop people from crossing from Mexico, setting up some souvenirs, crossing back to Mexico, and then coming back to collect their money later.

Recreational Activities

The Window Trail

There are a wide variety of places to stop along the scenic drives through the park and a number of recreational possibilities. A lot of the park is only accessible with high clearance and/or 4 wheel drive vehicles. There are miles of hiking trails and you can also boat on the river. One very nice trail takes you to a formation called "The Window" for the way it opens up a view between two mountain ridges to the valley betond.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Interesting place with varied terrain

Last visit to Big Bend National Park: Feb 2010
Intro Updated Nov 2, 2010
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (47)

Fort Davis National Historic Site - Big Bend National Park

Nearby Attractions Things to Do (35)

There are a variety of other attractions nearby in West Texas: Fort Davis National Historic Site is an old fort from the... more travel advice

Santa Elena Canyon - Big Bend National Park

Santa Elena Canyon Things to Do (35)

Santa Elena Canyon is shared by the US and Mexico. With modern equipment and boats (and proper planning) you can... more travel advice

Exhibit House Things to Do (35)

There is a small house near the visitors center that was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It... more travel advice

Castolon Visitors Center - Big Bend National Park

Castolon Visitors Center Things to Do (35)

There is a small visitors center/general store located at Castolon. It is closed during the summer and appeared to have... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All Old Maverick Road
Sports & Outdoors (4)
See All Window Trail
Hotels (3)
See All Outside the Park

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Provisions
Favorites (1)
Big Bend National Park
Been to Big Bend National Park?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (2)

Reply
- Report abuse
BuchBos Nov 24, 2010 at 3:34 PM

Have you ever considered becoming a professional travel writer?
Reply
- Report abuse
doug48 Nov 13, 2010 at 3:50 PM

jim, excellent virtual tour of big bend national park. great pics too !