State Parks and Campgrounds---
State Tourist Travel Information
For When You Really Want To Get Away From It All
Situated on the border of Texas and Mexico, and located in the big bend of Rio Grande, Texas is Big Bend National Park. Big Bend National Park was established as a national park in June of 1944. It covers 801,000 acres of land, and if you want to be in a remote place, this is the place to be. It is over 100 miles away from the nearest grocery store, bank, hospital and pharmacy.
Since it is so remote, if I had to pick one word to describe Big Bend National Park, that word would be serene. The park is beautiful and is relatively not crowded most of the year. In 2002, there were 322,329 visitors to the park. Visitation is highest during the months of March and April. It is especially busy during college spring break season (usually in mid March-early April). The park is also crowded during Easter weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, and the week between Christmas and New Years.
Visitation is lowest at Big Bend National Park during the months of August and September.
The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The visitor center at Panther Junction is open daily from 8-6. (The only day that it might be closed is on Christmas).
Among the many recreational activities that one can do at Big Bend National Park are these: hiking; backpacking; camping; fishing; stargazing (fabulous!); horseback riding; whitewater rafting; nature walks; auto tours; bird and wildlife watching. To see most of the park, by walking and hiking, allow yourself about a week. If touring the park, by auto, you will be able to see most everything in a couple of days.
The climate can vary at Big Bend National Park. The hottest months are May and June. Fall and spring are generally pleasant seasons at the park. Winter can have the occasional cold spell or two (even snow), but are generally pretty tame.
To get to Big Bend National Park, there are three different ways. From Marathon, Texas, take US Highway 385 all the way to the North Entrance. Or, you can take State Route 118 from Alpine, Texas all the way to the West Entrance. Finally, from Presidio, Texas, take Ranch Road 170 to Study Butte, where you will then pick up State Route 118, and then proceed to the West Entrance.
Rio Grande RV Village is the only Big Bend National Park campground, WITH HOOKUPS. The RV Village has 25 sites, which are available on a first-come, first served basis. The cost for a site is $18 a night.