If you are looking for adventure you will love this Big Bend National Park Travel Guide. You will find camping, boating, fossils, hiking and backpacking, backcountry drives, the Rio Grand, beautiful landscapes, great Mexican food and unbelievable night skies in Big Bend National Park. What more could you want in the ultimate outdoor adventure? It is time to plan your visit to Big Bend National Park!
What Will You See Driving Around Big Bend National Park?
There is the obvious that you will see, but it’s the things you don’t think about that you see that make Big Bend a must. Big Bend National Park contains several distinct and completely different biospheres – mountain, desert, and river. A backcountry drive can easily get you to all three areas. You will see a roadrunner, coyote, or panther if you are lucky. You may even spot a bear or two roaming the area.
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Here is just a snippet from our travels in Big Bend.
Each area of the park features different vegetation, but you are almost certain to see numerous varieties of cacti. If you are curious, take a guidebook and see if you can figure out the differences between the Yucca. Enjoy the stool, prickly pear, and my favorite, the ocotillo.
If you are lucky, you may even spot an ocotillo blooming out of season.
You will see plenty of mesquites, and cottonwoods near the Rio Grande. In the Chisos Mountains, you may even see pinyon pine and small oaks.
Between the landscape and the beauty emerging from the ground, there is no lack of things to see.
Can You Camp in Big Bend?
Regardless if you prefer primitive camping or a formal campground, Big Bend National Park accommodates both. Cottonwood Campground is middle of the road – a huge touch of nature while offering level campsites and some amenities. If you like lush green campsites, Cottonwood Campground may be the spot for you.
Here are a handful of places to camp:
- Castalon Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
- Stillwell Store RV Park, 48421 Fm 2627, Big Bend National Park, TX 79830-2098
- Rio Grande Village Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
- Chisos Basin Campground, Window View Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
- Chisos Mountain Lodge, 1 Basin Rural Station, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
The Stillwell Store RV Park is where we stayed. It’s just outside of Big Bend National Park, but is perfect, quiet, unique and reasonably priced.
If camping isn’t your thing, the Chisos Mountain Lodge is one you should check out for sure.
If you like backcountry camping, there are lots of primitive roadside campsites. The NPS has a great resource to help you find the best one for your rig – or lack of one.
Hiking in Big Bend National Park
Be prepared. This is a desert environment with no cell signal. Be sure to pack plenty of supplies for hiking and backpacking. If you are up to it – get out there and do it! Not all trails are difficult, check the park maps, visit one of the visitor centers, or check out the national park service online.
We enjoyed the Boquillas Trail at sunset. Looking over the Rio Grande into Mexico, with the sky literally on fire, and all the colors of the desert blazing in all their glory – photos really don’t do it justice.
We did a little hiking around the Hot Springs Historic District. We didn’t hike much while in Big Bend, because we were exploring on our Harley, so we were in jeans and boots, and it was very warm. As you can see, it’s very sandy which is not easy to walk in with boots on, and jeans that are stuck to ya because it’s very hot outside.
There is no lack of hiking options in Big Bend. It’s just all what you have time for, what you are interested in, and how much you want to see. Check out all the hiking in Big Bend National Park.
Historic Attractions in Big Bend National Park
There are a ton of different things to see in Big Bend, that lend a great history lesson. One we stopped to check out was the Castolon Historic District.
Read all about the Castolon Fire and the history.
When is the Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park?
Fall and spring are the best times to visit Big Bend National Park. Temperatures are mild during the day and cool at night. March is one of the busiest months in the park, because of the great weather conditions and the influx of spring break travelers. We visited in March, and campsites were difficult to find during school’s winter break. That is why we stayed just outside the park at the Stillwell Store and RV Park.
As for what time of the day to visit, remember this is a desert environment. Avoid the mid-day heat while hiking and backpacking if you can. Common tourist attractions are less busy, and temperatures were cooler in early day and later day. And while shadows are deeper at sunset, the desert colors really come alive. Just check out this photo of Castalon, one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks, I think the sunset colors speak for themselves.
An Open Door
USA and Mexico have an Open Door agreement. This means that Mexican citizens are allowed to sell goods in the Big Bend National Park. There are a handful of places where you will see all sorts of handmade items set up on the ground, and then a sign and a jar for you to pay. It’s all on the honor system.
Visit Mexico While at Big Bend
Don’t leave your passport at home when you visit Big Bend National Park. Why? Well because you will want to cross the Rio Grand and enter Mexico for the most amazing meal you’ve ever had!
You can visit Mexico through the park’s Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry . This is only an option for visitors possessing a valid passport book or passport card. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses do not apply.
We decided to visit Mexico and we rented horses (that come with a guide) to take into the town of Boquillas. It’s really a short walk from the river to the town, but we just thought renting horses would be fun.
Upon enter the town of Boquillas we walked around a bit, then went to Jose Falcon’s restaurant and had the best Mexican food we’ve ever had. Strange right? LOL! Ever since eating Mexican food, in Mexico, no other Mexican food tastes right.
The town is very poor, and you have to really be on alert and actually be a bit “mean” because you are told at the border that you cannot buy from the beggers/peddlers, only from the shops. I don’t know why that is the rules, but it is. There are shops you can buy from though. But, little kids run up to you from every area you walk and beg you to buy things.
But, if you are in Big Bend, visiting Mexico is a must.
Should You Visit Big Bend National Park?
Do you have a hearty spirit? Ready to take on the rugged outdoor? Seek adventure? Looking for something fun to do on an upcoming vacation?
If your answer to all of these questions is YES. There is something about the stark beauty of this landscape that speaks to my heart. If you are a kindred spirit, then Big Bend National Park should absolutely be on your bucket list!
Here is us riding the Harley in just one tiny part. Look at the beauty all around.
If Big Bend isn’t your cup of tea, the US has lots of national parks to choose from!
Just look at the beauty this National Park offer. This is me in front of the Rio Grande and behind the Rio Grande is the rock wall that separates USA from Mexico.
If you visit Big Bend, here are some options for things to see and do.
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