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Big Bend National Park is expanding the Panther Junction Visitor Center to accommodate present-day visitor demands. The expansion is intended to create additional bookstore, desk, and exhibit space that will allow us to better serve park visitors.
The Panther Junction Visitor Center was constructed in the 1960s and is no longer adequate, as visitation to the park has increased and the current bookstore is unable to accommodate the increased amount of literature that has been published on the Big Bend region. During peak winter months, holidays, and the weeks of spring break the visitor center is crowded to the point that visitor service is hampered by crowds, traffic flow, inadequate desk space, and grossly inadequate bookstore floor space.
The Panther Junction Visitor Center expansion is a two phase project that was made possible through a partnership effort that includes in phase one funds from the park's entrance fee program, funding from the Big Bend Natural History Association and funding from the Friends of Big Bend National Park. Phase two provides for the design, fabrication and installation of new exhibits through funding raised by the Friends of Big Bend National Park.
This project will increase the existing visitor center from 1,110 square feet to approximately 1,740 square feet, a 57% increase. The expansion will occur on the eastern side of the building, in the location of the current handicap-accessible exterior restroom facilities. The expansion would be constructed in a style compatible with the current architectural style of the building. The expansion will require reconstructing the existing integral public restrooms, which will be made handicap-accessible and will be equipped with modern, efficient fixtures (this portion of the project was completed in mid-December 2007).
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