Pardon Our DustThanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act, work on two large construction projects in the Chisos Basin will begin in May 2025 and continue for approximately two years. As work begins, the Chisos Basin area will be closed to visitor entry. This includes the Basin Road, lodging units, Basin Campground, restaurant, NPS visitor center, camper store, and surrounding trail access. This work will ONLY affect the Chisos Basin area of Big Bend National Park. As major components are completed, park managers will assess which areas can be safely reopened to regular public access.
Will the National Park be Closed? No. Big Bend National Park remains open throughout this project.Only the Chisos Basin area of the park will be affected. Over 800,000 acres and hundreds of miles of scenic drives (paved/unpaved), developed and primitive campsites, river access, and over 150 miles of hiking trails will remain open for visitors from around the world to enjoy. A Replacement for the Chisos Mountains LodgeConstructed in 1964, the main Chisos Mountains Lodge is an important part of the park’s history. Generations of visitors have enjoyed the building’s modern aesthetic, large open interior, and expansive windows that frame the surrounding mountains and the classic view of the Window. Unfortunately, the Lodge was built on clay soils and soon suffered as the foundation moved and settled. Over the years, the settling caused significant damage to the foundation, roof, walls, windows, and building systems. Maintaining the building is no longer sustainable. In addition, burgeoning Big Bend visitation has far surpassed the kitchen and dining service capabilities of the facility. Replace Aged WaterlinesWater is the lifeblood of any desert, and in Big Bend, park managers are committed to using it as efficiently and responsibly as possible. To that end, a concurrent project will address the aging water distribution lines in the park’s developed areas, including the 3-mile pipeline from Oak Spring up to the Chisos Basin. Many of those lines date to the 1950s and have far exceeded their useful lives. By repairing or replacing damaged lines, upgrading storage tanks, and eliminating leaks, this project will ensure that the desert’s most critical resource remains available for thirsty plants, wildlife…and people. Helpful Links:
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Last updated: October 11, 2024