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Big Bend National ParkEverett Townsend on the rim of Santa Elena Canyon, 1930s
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Big Bend National Park
Backcountry Camping Closures
 
Closure sign near the Boot Canyon Trail junction
NPS/Big Bend National Park
Closure sign near the Boot Canyon Trail junction.
 
Closed Areas
Parts of the backcountry are closed to backpacking:
  • Within 1/2 mile of any developed area, road, the Mariscal Mine, or Hot Springs.
  • Within 100 yards of any trail, historical structure, archaeological site, water source, dry wash or cliff edge.
  • Pine Canyon Research Natural Area.
  • On Burro Mesa above 3,400 feet elevation.
  • The north half of the Chisos Mountains, the Basin, and the area around Oak Spring.
  • Within 500 yards of any tinaja on the Mesa de Anguila.

Seasonal Closures
To protect the peregrine falcon, an endangered species, the following areas of the park are closed to all use from February 1 until May 31 each year:

  • The Southeast Rim Trail and a portion of the Northeast Rim Trail from the Boot Canyon/Southeast Rim junction to a point just north of Campsite NE-4.
  • All Southeast Rim campsites as well as Northeast (NE) campsites 4 and 5 are closed during this period. Technical rock climbing on rock faces within ¼ mile of known peregrine eyries, as posted, will not be allowed between February 1 and May 31.

The park does not plan to close any other areas but restrictions may be modified if Peregrine behavior or nesting sites do not follow traditional trends.

Big Bend National Park Daily Report
The Daily Report
Weather, campground updates, river levels and other information about what's happening in the park
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Trail sign
Backcountry Regulations
These rules help protect you and the backcountry
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Southwestern Earless Lizard  

Did You Know?
Common in Big Bend National Park, the Southwestern Earless Lizard has no external ear openings and is often referred to as the lizard with the pink shirt and green pants.
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Last Updated: January 27, 2007 at 14:35 EST