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Glenn Springs Road, Old Maverick Road, River Road (East & West), and Route 16 (Santa Elena Canyon) are closed until further notice due to unsafe conditions from recent thunderstorms.
Backcountry drive-in campsites along River Road, Old Maverick Road, and Glen Springs Road are CLOSED.
Black Gap Road is CLOSED.
Backcountry drive-in campsites along Black Gap Road are CLOSED. This includes Glenn Springs 1 campsite and Elephant Tusk campsite.
To view weather forecasts for Big Bend and Brewster County, please go to this page of our website.
Facilities:
The Restaurant is CLOSED. A Food Truck is available outside the main Lodge building.
Food Truck OPEN Daily 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Visitor Centers:
Panther Junction VC OPENDaily 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Chisos Basin VC OPEN Daily 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, closed for lunch
Persimmon Gap VC CLOSED for the summer
Rio Grande Village VC CLOSED for the summer
Castolon VC CLOSED for the summer
Cottonwood Campground CLOSED for the summer, will open November 1.
Do not attempt Big Bend's primitive dirt roads with an inappropriate vehicle.
Roads:
Old Ore Road and Black Gap Road are extremely rough and only suitable for the most rugged of vehicles. Never leave the pavement without full 4x4 capability with good tires, good spare, jack, and water. No cars, minivans, or RVs.
Travel on primitive dirt roadsrequires High Clearance AND true Four-Wheel Drive. These roads are NOT passable to passenger cars, minivans, motorhomes, and tiny crossover SUVs.
Hiking Trails
Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Carefully assess conditions and your abilities before attempting to cross. If water levels are too high, do NOT attempt to cross.
To access the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, hikers must first cross the bed of Terlingua Creek, and climb a short but steep bank. Conditions change constantly at this location. Depending upon recent rainfall, Terlingua Creek may be dry sand, thick mud, or flowing water. Ask a ranger about the latest conditions.