Big Bend National Park - Visitor Centers (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS Historic Photograph Collection

Panther Junction Visitor Center, 1965.

Panther Junction Visitor Center
Open all year, 8:00am–6:00pm. Reduced hours on Christmas day.

Located at park headquarters, Panther Junction Visitor Center is the best place to begin your visit. Backcountry and river use permits are issued during normal business hours. Interactive exhibits provide an overview of geology and natural and cultural histories of the park. Visitor center complex includes a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore, U.S. Post Office, public phone, and restrooms. A water faucet is available for filling personal water containers. The Panther Path, a self-guided nature trail, begins adjacent to the porch of the visitor center.

Chisos Basin Visitor Center
Open all year, 8:30am–4:00pm. Closed for lunch. Reduced hours on Christmas day.

Chisos Basin Visitor Center is located in the Basin developed area, adjacent to the parking lot. Chisos Mountains trailhead is 100 yards to the west of the visitor center. The Basin Visitor Center includes interactive exhibits on plants, animals, and birds found in the Chisos Mountains. Backcountry permits are issued during normal hours. Visitor center has a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore and restrooms. A water faucet is available on the east side of the building for filling personal water containers.

Castolon Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November through April 10:00am–5:00pm. Closed for lunch.

Located in the historic La Harmonia store building, Castolon Visitor Center has exhibits on the multi-faceted history of this border region. Backcountry camping permits and river use permits are issued during normal hours. Entrance fees can be paid at the Castolon Visitor Center. Castolon Visitor Center has a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore and nearby restrooms.

Persimmon Gap Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November through April, 9:00am–4:30pm. Closed for lunch.

Located at the north entrance to the park, Persimmon Gap Visitor Center has exihibits on floating the Rio Grande. Backcountry and river use permits are issued during normal hours. Visiter center has a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore, public phone, and restrooms.

Rio Grande Village Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November through April, 8:30am–4:00pm. Closed for lunch.

Rio Grande Visitor Center is located a 0.25 mile north of the Rio Grande Village developed area. Exhibits explore bats and other animals that live in Big Bend. Backcountry and river use permits are issued during normal hours. Entrance fees can be paid at the Rio Grande Village Visitor Center. Out front, a small desert garden provides an overview of Chihuahuan Desert plants. Rio Grande Village Visitor Center includes a small theater, a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore, public phone, and restrooms. A water faucet is available for filling personal water containers.

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