NPS/Big Bend National Park

Park staff monitor air quality equipment.

How Far Can You See?
Big Bend National Park—the name inspires varied impressions of the Southwest. One portrait is of majestic mountains towering above rugged badlands. Another is of the ribbon-like Rio Grande charging through sheer-walled canyons. But most commonly, Big Bend evokes images of panoramic vistas panning across endless miles of Chihuahuan Desert as far as the eye can see. As far as the eye can see—perhaps?

On some days of the year Big Bend’s air quality is so good that visitors can actually see the detail of large objects over 100 miles away. Unfortunately, pollution is destroying the very scenic resources many people seek. Generally, park visitors find moderately hazy views on most days, with poor conditions of less than 30 miles visibility 6% of the time.

On a few days of the year Big Bend experiences the worst air quality, in terms of visibility impairment, within any western national park!