Big Bend Fact Sheet

Century plant and view of the Chisos Mountains
 

Big Bend National Park was authorized by Congress in 1935 to preserve and protect a representative area of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The park includes rich biological and geological diversity, cultural history, recreational resources, and outstanding opportunities for bi-national protection of our shared natural and cultural heritage.

 

Overview

Name

The Big Bend area of Texas derives its name from its location on the bend of the Rio Grande. The river ceates a natural border that separates the United States from Mexico.

Park Purpose

Big Bend National Park’s purpose is threefold:

  • Preserve and protect all natural and national register-eligible cultural resources and values.
  • Provide educational opportunities to foster understanding and appreciation of the natural andhuman history of the region.
  • Provide recreational opportunities for diverse groups that are compatible with the protection and appreciation of park resources.

Establishment

In 1933, Texas established Texas Canyons State Park using 15 school sections owned by the state. Lands forfeited for non payment of taxes were quickly added and the name was changed to Big Bend State Park, and by October 1933 included about 160,000 acres. On June 20, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill that authorized the establishment of Big Bend National Park. On June 6, 1944 a deed for about 700,000 acres was formally presented to President Roosevelt. On June 12, 1944, Big Bend was established as a national park by Congressional Act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976.

 

Park Significance

The park is significant because it contains the most representative example of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem in the United States. The park’s river, desert, and mountain environments support an extraordinary richness of biological diversity, including endemic plants and animals, and provide unparalleled recreation opportunities. The geologic features and Cretaceous and Tertiary fossils in Big Bend National Park create opportunities to study many sedimentary and igneous processes. Archeological and historic resources provide examples of cultural interaction in the Big Bend Region and varied ways humans adapted to the desert and river environments. The Rio Grande is life-sustaining for plants, animals, and human inhabitants beyond its banks. Along with three Mexican protected areas, Maderas del Carmen, Cañon de Santa Elena, and Ocampo, Big Bend is now part of one of the largest transboundary protected areas in North America. More than three million acres of Chihuahuan Desert resources, along with more than 200 miles of river, are now under the national protection of the United States and Mexico. Lastly, it was determined that Big Bend’s remoteness has created conditions for the best night sky viewing in the United States.

 

Staffing

National Park Service

Superintendent: Chad Tinney (acting)
83 permanent employees
26 seasonal employees

Volunteers in Parks

Dedicated Volunteers contribute thousands of hours to Big Bend National Park each year.

Big Bend Natural History Association

4 permanent / 2 seasonal employees

Aramark (concessioner)

32 permanent employees
39 seasonal employees

 

Park partners

Big Bend Natural History Association

A non-profit organization that supports education, research and other programs for the benefit of Big Bend. Financial aid is provided to the park through the sales of interpretive products. Outlets for these products are located in all park visitor centers.

Big Bend Conservancy

A non-profit organization whose mission is to support, promote, and raise funds for Big Bend National Park in partnership with the National Park Service and other supporters who value the unique qualities found in the Big Bend of the Rio Grande.

 

Natural Resources

Size

801,163 acres (1,252 square miles)
15th largest in the national park system

Elevation

Highest point: Emory Peak; 7,832 feet (2,387 m)
Lowest point: Rio Grande Village; 1,850 feet (564 m).

River Canyons

Santa Elena Canyon 20 miles (32 km)
Mariscal Canyon 10 miles (16 km)
Boquillas Canyon 33 miles (53 km)

Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River

196 miles of river

US/Mexico Border

Shared International Border—118 miles (190 km)
Mexican States bordering the Park—2 states: Chihuahua & Coahuila

Landmarks and Elevations

Emory Peak: 7,832 feet (2,387 m)
South Rim: 7,375 feet (2,248 m).
Casa Grande Peak: 7,325 feet (2,233 m)
Chisos Basin: 5,401 feet (1,664 m)
Panther Junction: 3,750 feet (1,143 m)
Castolon: 2,169 feet (661 m)
Rio Grande Village: 1,850 feet (564 m)

Climate and Weather

Fall and spring are usually warm and pleasant. Summers are hot, although temperatures vary greatly between the desert floor and the Chisos Mountains; May and June are the hottest months. Winters are generally mild, although periods of cold weather (including light snow) are possible.

Average Annual Rainfall

Chisos Basin: 16.34"
Panther Junction: 14.44"
Rio Grande Village: 6.21"

Flora and Fauna

1,295 species of plants
75 species mammals
450+ species of birds
3,600 species of insects
56 species of reptiles
11 species of amphibians
38 species of fish

Major Resource Issues:

Air Quality/Visibility
Rio Grande Water Quality & Quantity
Exotic Species/Trespass Livestock
Theft of Park Resources

 

Cultural Resources

Human History

Evidence of nearly 12,000 years of human occupation by Paleo-Indian, archaic peoples and a variety of southwestern tribes, including the Chisos, Jumano, Mescalero Apache, and Comanche. Around 1870 ranchers began to migrate to the Big Bend, and by 1900 ranchers, miners and farmers occupied the area.

Collection Summary

Archeological objects systematically recovered from within the park’s boundaries and associated field records; historic objects related to the park’s history; herbarium and associated fi eld records; other biological specimens; geological and paleontological specimens.

Cataloged Museum Objects

413,807

Archeological Resources

Nearly 2,340 sites (8% of park surveyed to date)

National Register of Historic Places

There are eight National Register of Historic Places sites or districts in Big Bend National Park:

  • Burro Mesa Archeological District
  • Castolon Historic District
  • Hot Springs Historic District
  • the Mariscal Mining District
  • Homer Wilson Blue Creek Ranch Site
  • Rancho Estelle
  • Daniel’s Farmhouse
  • Luna’s Jacal
 

Visitor Services

Big Bend NP Annual Visitation:

Once a relatively unknown National Park, Big Bend has been discovered, and visitation has increased significantly in recent years:

2014: 314,102
2015: 381,862
2016: 388,290
2017: 440,276
2018: 440,091
2019: 463,832
2020: 393,907
2021: 581,221
2022: 518,254
2023: 511,831

**For specific statistical information about Big Bend or any other NPS unit, please visit: NPS Stats

Frontcountry Camping

Chisos Basin Campground: 63 sites
Cottonwood Campground: 31 sites
Rio Grande Village Campground: 100 sites
Rio Grande Village RV Park (hookups): 25 sites

Backcountry Camping

Backcountry Campsites: 116
Includes both High Chisos backpacking and primitive roadside designated campsites.

Picnic Areas

7 (Dugout Wells, Daniels Ranch, Castolon, Cottonwood campground, Chisos Basin, Persimmon Gap, and Santa Elena Canyon)

Hiking trails

201 miles

Roads

304 total miles (Paved and gravel)
123 miles of paved roads
45 miles of improved unpaved roads
136 miles of primitive unpaved roads

Concessioner

Aramark operates the Chisos Mountains Lodge (72 rooms in motel units and four historic cottages), camper stores at three locations and gas stations at Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village.

Major Visitor Activities

Camping
Hiking
Backpacking
Rafting/Canoeing
Birdwatching/Wildlife Viewing
Night Sky Viewing
Exploring Backcountry Roads
Enjoying Scenic Drives
Exploring Historic Sites
Attending Guided Ranger Programs

 

Last updated: January 23, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834-0129

Phone:

432-477-2251

Contact Us