Big Bend Webcam

Introduction

Big Bend National Park, located in southwestern Texas along the Texas-Mexico border, is a haven for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and adventurers. This vast and remote park, established in 1944, preserves the largest tracts of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. The park's name comes from the prominent bend in the Rio Grande, which forms a natural border between the United States and Mexico. In 1933, Texas established Texas Canyons State Park, which later became Big Bend State Park. In 1944, it officially became Big Bend National Park. The park's territory spans 801,163 acres (larger than Rhode Island), 1,252 square miles (3,244 square km). In 2021, Big Bend welcomed a record 581,000 visitors.

Within Big Bend you will find a diversity of wildlife, including  450+ bird species, including migratory birds, 75 mammal species, such as mule deer, coyotes, and javelinas,  56 reptile species, including rattlesnakes and lizards.

The park's unique location and dark skies make it a prime spot for stargazing.  For more infomation on the park go to the wikipedia page.

Top Hikes

Big Bend National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 150 miles of trails that offer opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. The park contains the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas, with elevations ranging from 1,800 feet (550 m) along the Rio Grande to 7,832 feet (2,387 m) on Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. The elevation changes produce an exceptional variety of plants, animals, and scenic vistas.

There are many hiking trails in the park, ranging from easy strolls to challenging mountain summits. For a full list of day hikes, go to the NPS Website.  Here are some of the popular ones:

Lost Mine Trail This trail is a 4.8 mile (7.7 km) round trip hike that offers stunning views of the Chisos Mountains. It is rated as moderate and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.  The elevation gain is 1,100 feet (335 m) The trail takes you through a woodland-grassland ecosystem with some of the best scenic views in the park. The climb often leads to cooler temperatures at higher elevations, so it’s an excellent hike at all times of day. The upper portion of the trail is steep, so it’s important to stay on the trail and follow switchbacks to prevent erosion. If you’re short on time or energy, you can consider hiking only the first mile to a scenic overlook. Parking at the trailhead is limited, so during busy periods, you may have to hike another trail and come back to Lost Mine another time.

Window Trail This trail is a 5.6 mile (9 km) round trip hike that takes you through a narrow canyon and ends at a breathtaking view of the Window, a V-shaped opening in the Chisos Mountains.  Elevation gain is 900 feet (275 m). It is rated as moderate and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. The trailhead is located at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center parking lot. The first mile (1.6 km) of the trail is the steepest, with wooden log steps to break up the descent down the rocky dirt path. The last 0.25 mile (.4 km) of the hike is in a slickrock canyon where footing becomes difficult. The combination of rocky steps and wet, slippery surfaces requires extra care and attention to avoid a fall.  It is also important to start this hike early in the morning to avoid hiking during the heat of the day. Bring more water than you think you will need, and eat plenty of salty snacks to keep your body’s salt-to-water ratio in balance.

South Rim Trail This trail is a 12.2 mile (20 km) round trip hike that offers some of the most spectacular views in the park. It is rated as strenuous and takes about 8-10 hours to complete. The trail can be done as one big day hike or as a two-day backpacking trip. There are numerous backcountry campsites located along the trail, the perfect place to spend the night if you are looking for solitude or a unique backpacking experience. As a bonus, you have the option to add on Emory Peak, which is the tallest peak in Big Bend National Park. Emory Peak adds 3 miles (4.8 km) and about 1.5 hours to this hike, bringing the grand total distance to 15.6 miles (25 km).  The South Rim Trail is done as a loop. You can do this in either direction. If you do it counter-clockwise, it is a slow, gradual climb up to the South Rim, on the Laguna Meadows Trail. If you do it in a clockwise direction, the climb will be shorter but steeper, with much of this climb coming right before the spur trail to Emory Peak.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail This trail is a 1.7 mile (2.7 km) round trip hike that takes you through a towering canyon along the Rio Grande. It is rated as easy and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. The trailhead is located at the end of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The trail begins with a crossing of Terlingua Creek, followed by a climb up a series of concrete steps to a high viewpoint. From the viewpoint, the trail slopes gradually down to the river’s edge and continues winding among large boulders until it ends abruptly where the canyon wall meets the Rio Grande. This is one of the narrowest places in the 7 mile (11 km) long Santa Elena Canyon.  It is important to start this hike early in the morning to avoid hiking during the heat of the day. Wear old shoes in case the Terlingua Creek crossing is muddy. If the water here is deep and swift, do not cross. Just enjoy the spectacular views into the canyon, and try again in drier weather. Carry plenty of water and salty snacks to keep your body’s salt-to-water ratio in balance.

Backpacking within the park can be classified as on the hard side.  The park is very montainous and there is a lot of elevation gain and not a lot of water.  Below are my favorites, but don't forget to bring a lot of water.  A permit is required for any overnight hike (recreation.gov). Permits for desert wilderness are required along Maverick and River Road.  They are only available in person.  For more information go to the NPS site.

South Rim Trail Loop is 12.6 miles (20.28 km) as a loop.  The total elevation gain is 2,800 feet (853 m) and is fairly difficult. Starting in the Chisos Basin, the South Rim Trail steadily climbs up to the South Rim, offering jaw-dropping views of the Chihuahuan Desert. You can add on the short but steep climb up Emory Peak for an even more epic experience. This can be done as a one big day hike or as a two-day backpacking trip. Numerous backcountry campsites along the trail provide solitude and unique experiences.

Marufo Vega Trail is 13.5 miles (21.72 km) as a loop.  The total elevation gain is 2,660 feet (811 m).  I would rate this as a very difficult backpacking trip. The best times to hike this this tail is October through April. The trail takes you through stark but stunning terrain. Named after Gregorio Marufo, who once grazed goats along the Rio Grande, this trail splits into a north and south fork after approximately 3.5 miles. The north fork offers panoramic views of the cliffs of the Sierra del Carmen in Mexico, while the south fork leads to an amazing promontory with endless mountain views. Be prepared for extreme heat, as there is no shade or water along the trail.

In Big Bend National Park the trails are broken into three categories, Desert, Mountain and River.  

River Rafting and Biking

Riding the River   Big Bend National Park, located in southwest Texas, offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature and participate in a variety of recreational activities, including rafting on the Rio Grande. The park's canyons offer incredible opportunities to kayak, canoe, or raft the Rio Grande. The river is not difficult for beginning and intermediate paddlers at normal river flows, and some sections are ideal for novices.

Seeing the park's canyons from the middle of the Rio Grande can be an incredible experience. Depending upon the river levels, there are many possibilities including half-day floats or multi-day excursions. Floating the Rio Grande can take you through miles of canyons up to 1,500 feet (457 m) deep, where the sunlight may reach the bottom only briefly on winter days. As in other parts of the park, your ears may tell you more than your eyes. Listen for beavers crawling through the brush; you might catch a glimpse as one slides down the riverbank into the water. Turtles, especially red-eared sliders, often sun themselves on rocks and logs just above the waterline. Great blue herons and green kingfishers are just some of the many birds you may see flying along the river.

A backcountry permit and specific equipment is required for day-use and overnight river trips. There is often concern about being close to an international border, but incidents between Big Bend visitors and Mexican nationals are exceptionally rare. The middle of the deepest channel of the Rio Grande is the international boundary. Over the course of your trip, you may cross this boundary several times. Currently, passports are not required. Landing on the Mexican bank of the river is considered an illegal crossing and could result in fines and jail time. However, limited exceptions are made when safety is a consideration: to bail/repack a boat, scout rapids, or seek shade when overheating.

Addition rules, regulations and permits are at the NPS Website.

Biking Big Bend National Park is a premier bicycling location, with over 100 miles (160 km) of paved roads and 160 miles (257 km) of backcountry dirt roads that provide challenges for riders of all types and abilities. Bicycling (including e-bikes) is allowed on any road within Big Bend National Park, but is not allowed off-road or on any trail. Bicyclists must be extremely cautious and well-prepared, but bicycling allows outstanding panoramic views unobstructed by a windshield.

Paved roads within the park are narrow and often have no shoulders. Bicyclists should take proper measures to stay safe, such as riding single-file, wearing bright and/or reflective clothing, and being aware of their surroundings. Traffic is sparse in summer and highest during March and early April and on holiday weekends throughout the year. Use extreme caution. A good map is essential. Maps and road guides are available at the Big Bend Natural History Association Book Store.  Go to the NPS Website for additional information.

If you have a shuttle available, consider the following bike rides:

1. Panther Junction to Rio Grande Village: Difficulty: Easy; Distance: 20 miles (32 km), paved; Time 1.5-2.5 hours. Although there are some hills, the ride is mostly downhill as the elevation drops 1,900 ft. (580 m) over the course of the ride. Be wary of large motorhomes and trailers traveling this road, especially during fall, winter, and spring.

2. Panther Junction to Castolon via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: Difficulty: Strenuous; Distance: 35 miles (56 km), paved; Time: 3-6 hours. This ride is challenging, but it offers outstanding views of the park's colorful hills near Castolon.

Please note that bicyclists must share the roads with vehicles and obey all traffic laws. Safety is paramount, so be sure to take proper precautions and enjoy the ride!

Accommodations

Camping  There are four campground in the park, all require reservation either thru recreation.gov website or the Rio Grande Village RV Park website.  The links are below

Chisos Basin Campground The campground is located in the heart of the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The campground is nestled in an open woodland within a scenic mountain basin and offers 56 campsites. The campground is open year-round and offers a variety of amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. The campground is situated at an elevation of 5,400 feet (1,645 m) and offers stunning views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. The campground is a great base for exploring the park's many trails and scenic drives. Please note that trailers over 20 feet (6 m) and RV's over 24 feet (7 m) are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road to the Basin and small campsites at this campground.

Rio Grande Village Campground is located on the banks of the Rio Grande River. The campground is open year-round and offers 93 campsites. The campsites are situated in a grove of cottonwoods and acacia trees, near the Rio Grande. The campground offers flush toilets, running water, picnic tables, grills, and some overhead shelters. There is also a dump station nearby. Please note that trailers over 20 feet (6 m) and RV's over 24 feet (7 m) are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road to the Basin and small campsites at this campground.

Cottonwood Campground is a quiet oasis in the western corner of Big Bend National Park. The campground is situated at an elevation of 5,400 feet (1,645 m)and offers 22 campsites. The campground is open from November through April. The campsites are situated in a grove of cottonwoods and acacia trees, near the Rio Grande. The campground offers basic amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. The use of generators is not allowed at Cottonwood Campground. Wood fires and ground fires are NOT allowed anywhere in the park. A charcoal fire in an above-ground grill is allowed; ashes must be packed out. Liquid-fuel stoves are allowed. Please note that trailers over 20 feet (6 m) and RV's over 24 feet (7 m) are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road.

Rio Grande Village RV Park is adjacent to the Rio Grande Village camp store. The park is operated by Forever Resorts and offers 25 back-in sites with full hook-ups (water, electrical, and 3-inch sewer connection). The park is open year-round and reservations are required. Tents are not permitted at this RV park.   The park is situated at an elevation of 1,800 feet (550 m) and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Reservations for this campground, which is operated by Aramark, must be made thru their website. 

 Hotel/Lodge  There is only one hotel in Big Bend National Park.  Chisos Mountains Lodge is nestled in the basin of the majestic Chisos Mountains . It is the only lodging available within the park and offers comfortable accommodations with famous Texas hospitality. The lodge offers a variety of rooms and cottages, plus a gift shop, camper store, and dining room. The lodge is open year-round and offers stunning scenery and serenity, as well as a vast undisturbed wilderness. The lodge offers a variety of rooms and cottages, including standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and cottages. Standard rooms are available with one or two queen beds, while deluxe rooms offer one king bed and a private balcony. Cottages are available with one or two bedrooms and a full kitchen. All rooms and cottages are equipped with air conditioning, heat, and private baths.

Restaurant and Groceries

Restaurants Mountain View Restaurant at Chisos Mountains Lodge is the only full-service dining facility within the park.

Grocery Stores There are three stores open year round within the park.  They are located at Rio Grand Village, Chisos Basin and Castolon.  In addition you can find other services at the link provided including ATMs, Wifi and gas stations.