Chisos Basin Construction Update

Project Update: Chisos Mountains Lodge Construction

The planned construction of the Big Bend National Park Chisos Mountains Lodge and other Chisos Basin facility improvements, originally scheduled to begin in May 2026, will not proceed as planned. Since the project's approval and budget allocation in 2019, unforseen challenges, including design complexities and implementation delays, have significantly extended the timeline.

Additionally, construction costs have risen sharply since 2019, resulting in a substantial budget shortfall. This financial gap now prevents full funding for both the lodge construction and the Chisos Basin water system rehabilitation.

In light of these developments, the park is reevaluating its finacial resources and exploring alternative strategies to advance construction efforts. The National Park Service plans to reissue a contract soliciation focusing exclusively on the Chisos Basin water system rehabilitation, excluding lodge reconstruction and other facility upgrades. The exact schedule for this re-soliciation is currently being finalized.

The National Park Service remains actively engaged in assessing viable solutions to complete the lodge reconstruction and other Chisos Basin facility improvements that were part of the original project.

Importantly, Big Bend National Park remains fully open to visitors. Due to the construction delay, previously planned closures of the Chisos Basin will not take place, ensuring continued access to the park's facilities and breathtaking landscapes. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing updates as we work toward bringing these important improvements to fruition.