• Sierra del Carmen

    Big Bend

    National Park Texas

ATV use Prohibited

All-Terrain Vehicle Use Prohibited within Big Bend National Park

Please Remember:

  • No "off-road" vehicle travel is allowed in Big Bend National Park. All vehicles must stay on established roadways.
  • All vehicles driven in the park, on paved or unpaved roads, must be "street legal" in the state of Texas. The use of "ATV's" is prohibited in Big Bend National Park




Regulations concerning ATV use are not specifically addressed in 36 C.F.R. The use of such vehicles is governed by state law as outlined in 36 C.F.R. Section 4.2 — State Law Applicable. Section 4.2 (b) states that violating a provision of State law is prohibited.

Under the Texas Traffic Laws, Transportation Code — TRC section 663.037 the operation of an ATV on a public roadway is prohibited.

An ATV is defined as “a motor vehicle that is (A) equipped with a saddle for the use of the rider; (B) designed to propel itself with three or four tires in contact with the ground; and (C) designed by the manufacturer for off-highway use by the operator only.

If the vehicle meets this description, it cannot be driven on public roadways in Texas and it cannot be registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

ALL BACKCOUNTRY ROADS IN BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK ARE PUBLIC ROADS. ALL VEHICLES DRIVEN ON THESE ROADS MUST BE STREET LEGAL ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS.

  • Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations

    Federal law pertaining to the National Parks Read More

  • Superintendent's Compendium Superintendent's Compendium

    The rules you need to know. Read More

  • Motorcycle Operation Motorcycle Operation

    What you need to know about Motorcycle equipment and operation in Big Bend Read More

Did You Know?

Cooper's Store, 1940s

Local legend Hallie Stillwell once said,“Cooper’s Store was the clearing house for information; travelers always stopped to find out what had happened ahead of them.” The old store building retains this role today as the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center at the north entrance to Big Bend National Park. More...