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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Big Bend National Park1950s photograph of Mexican girls overlooking the Rio Grande
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Big Bend National Park
Site Index
PARK HOME
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Directions
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Topographic Map Index
Public Transportation
How Far is it From?
Operating Hours & Seasons
Arriving After Hours
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Planning for a peak period visit
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Fees & Reservations
Permits
Campground Reservations
Entrance Passes
Commercial Tour Fees
Bringing Large Groups To Big Bend
Things To Do
Places To Go
Visitor Centers
Campgrounds
Picnic Areas
Panther Junction Area
Rio Grande Village Area
Castolon Area
Chisos Basin Area
Persimmon Gap Area
For Kids
Schedule Of Events
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
What To See and Do
Exploring Big Bend
Ranger-led Programs
Take a Hike
Self-Guiding Trails
East Side Hikes
West Side Hikes
North End Hikes
Mountain Hikes
Hiking the High Chisos
Backcountry Dayhikes
Take a Drive
Paved Roads
Improved Dirt Roads
Primitive Dirt Roads
Backcountry Use
Types of Backcountry Use
Backcountry Regulations
Backcountry Safety
Food Storage
Getting a Permit
Backcountry Permit Fee Information
Solo Hikers & Boaters
Backpacking
Backcountry Roads
Backcountry River Use
Horses in the Backcountry
Outfitters, Guides, & Shuttle Services
Floating the Rio Grande
Santa Elena Canyon
Identification Requirements on the River
Bicycling Big Bend
Birding
Bird Specialties
Where to Bird
Christmas Bird Count
After Dark
Stargazing
Climbing
Things To Know Before You Come
Your Safety
Safety Considerations For Parents
Better Safe Than Sorry
Survive the Sun
Motorcycle Safety
How NOT to die in the Desert
Lodging
Where To Eat
Weather
Weather Averages
Pets
What? No Dogs On Trails?
Area Kennels
Accessibility
Goods & Services
Alcohol Policy
Post Office
Gas Station
Convenience Store
Banking Services
Showers
Area Travel Information
Visiting a Border Area
Border Crossing Status
Border Patrol Checkpoints
Border Merchants
Border Safety
Firearms Rules
ATV Use Prohibited
"Passport" Stamps
Telephone Services
Park Phone Numbers
Cell Phones
What's So Special About Big Bend?
Frequently Asked Questions
Camping, lodging & facilities
Things to do in the park
Park details
Weather
Park resources and wildlife
Backcountry Use
Brochures
Backcountry Planning Materials
Información en Espanol
Auskunft auf Deutsch
Informational Site Bulletins
PHOTOS & MULTIMEDIA
Photo Gallery
Photography Tips
Visitor Photo Gallery
About the Photo Gallery
Use and Credit
Desert Views
Mountain Views
River Views
People in the Park
Plants and Animals
Night Views
Cultural Resources
Historic Photos
1940s Color Photographs
CCC Photographs
Robert Hill Photographs, 1899
Snow in Big Bend
Multimedia Presentations
News Feed
Panoramas
Webcams
Chisos Basin Webcam
Panther Junction Webcam
HISTORY & CULTURE
People
Ross Maxwell
Chata Sada
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Original Settlers
Everett Townsend
Roman De La O
Juan de Leon
Jodie Harris
Lady Bird Johnson
Places
Castolon
History Of Castolon
La Harmonia Store
Castolon Today
Hot Springs
Johnson's Ranch
Mariscal Mine
The Comanche Trail
Glenn Springs
Cooper's Store
Stories
On-line Books
Historic Documents
Research/Resource Reports
A story of Maggy Smith
Suggested Reading
Archaeology & Big Bend
When does trash become history?
Cultural History of the Big Bend
Six Flags Over Big Bend
Talk like a Local
Cook Wanted - 1921
RED BLOODED MEN TAKE NOTICE!
Texas' Gift to the Nation
Memories of La Coyota
Roger Toll's Notebook, 1934
A Ranger's Lament
Branded!
NATURE & SCIENCE
Animals
Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes
Scorpions
Butterflies
What makes an insect an insect?
Big Bend Bugs
Lubber Grasshoppers
Fish
Reptiles
Turtles
Snakes
Lizards
Amphibians
Mammals
"Interview with a Bat"
Mountain Lions
Javelina
Jackrabbits
Coyotes
Black Bears
Birds
You Asked About Birds?
"Vulture Culture"
Spring Migration
Peregrine Falcons
The Montezuma quail
Owls
Rare Bird Sightings
Endangered Species
Wildlife Sightings
Plants
Cacti / Desert Succulents
Grasses
Trees and Shrubs
Wildflowers
Common Plants
More Common Plants
Sixty years of botanical exploration
Big Bend Blooms
Grassland Restoration
Environmental Factors
Air Quality
Monitoring Air Quality
Where does the air come from?
BRAVO Study
Disturbed Lands
Lightscape / Night Sky
Nonnative Species
Scenic Vistas
Soundscape / Noise
Water Quality
Fire
Impacts of Fire Suppression
Managing Fire
Blue Creek Fire
Telephone Canyon Fire
South Rim burn
Natural Features & Ecosystems
Geology
Geologic Research
Deserts
Fossils
A Paleontological Paradise
Big Bend's pterosaur
A Texas Giant
"Super-croc"
Hot Springs / Geothermal Areas
Rivers and Streams
The Rio Grande
A brief history of water
Biosphere Reserve
Partners in Protection
A Big Bend Overview
FOR TEACHERS
Plan A Field Trip
Self Guided
Pre-Visit Materials
While At The park
Post Visit Materials
Entrance Fee Waivers
Curriculum Materials
Teaching with Historic Places
Professional Development
FOR KIDS
Be A Junior Ranger
NEWS
Park Newspaper
Archive
News Releases
Archive
Old News
Press Kit
Public Use Photographs
Contact Public Affairs
MANAGEMENT
Our Staff & Offices
Website Credits
Science & Resource Management
Research Permits
Our Partners
Park Statistics
Designations
How big is it?
Visitation Statistics
Laws & Policies
Fishing Regulations
Boating Regulations
Stock Use Regulations
Rock Climbing Regulations
Motorcycle Equipment And Operation
River Use Regulations
Superintendent's Compendium
ATV use Prohibited
Bringing large groups to the park
Public Involvement
Expanding Mountain Biking Opportunities
Exotic Animal Management
Emory Peak Trail Realignment
Saltcedar Biological Control Environmental Assessment
New Park Housing and Facilities
Freedom Of Information Act
Your Dollars At Work
Big Bend Recycles!
Doing Business With The Park
Commercial Use Authorization
Conditions
Required Insurance
Application Instructions
Permit Information
Authorized Commercial Activities
Film Permits
Park Planning
General Management Plan
Mission Statements
Interpretive Themes
Centennial Initiative
Fire Management
Los Diablos
Fire Management Plan
Jobs
Law Enforcement Park Ranger Jobs
SUPPORT YOUR PARK
Volunteer
How to apply
SCA Interns
Volunteer Pass
Volunteer Newsletter
Handbook for Volunteers
Volunteer Blog
Join Our Friends
Leave No Trace
Cooperating Association
Bookstore
Apollo 17 landing site  

Did You Know?
Apollo 17 astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmidt visited Big Bend in 1971 to study the regions geology in preparation for their mission to the moon. This was one of four field trips to Big Bend that Apollo astronauts participated in between 1964 and 1971.

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Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:23 EST