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Big Bend National Park
Solo Hikers & Boaters
A solo hiker soaks in the view from the South Rim
NPS/Big Bend National Park
A rewarding hike.

Going solo?
Solo backcountry users obtaining a backcountry camping permit are required to fill out and submit a Solo Hiker/Boater information sheet at the time they obtain their camping permit. This information sheet is designed for your safety and to assist searchers should you become lost or injured. Please take the time to fill it out completely. Following your hike, you MUST return your permit to a visitor center within 12 hours of leaving the backcountry.

In addition to the form below, the park takes digital photographs of the hiker/boater's equipment and bootprint.

Solo Hiker Form [56k PDF file]

Juniper Canyon  

Did You Know?
In 1787, Governor Juan de Ugalde, leading a Spanish military expedition, attacked a band of Mescalero Apaches in a stronghold in the Chisos Mountains. The forty spanish soldiers reportedly killed several hundred Apaches. The battle occured in the area of Lower Juniper Spring.

Last Updated: January 07, 2007 at 16:18 EST