Entrance Fee
$30.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Castolon Visitor Center: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
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Plan your Big Bend trip
About the Park
There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. Here, at the end of the road, hundreds of bird species take refuge in a solitary mountain range surrounded by weather-beaten desert. Tenacious cactus bloom in sublime southwestern sun, and species diversity is the best in the country. This magical place is Big Bend...
What to See & Do
Backpacking Big Bend
Big Bend National Park is a backpacker's paradise. For those who come prepared, there are hundreds of miles of trails, and vast expanses to explore.
Get a Big Bend Passport Stamp
Are you a "Passport to Your National Parks" cancellation collector? Big Bend National Park has a cancellation stamp to commemorate your visit in your passport book.
Big Bend Junior Rangers
Big Bend National Park invites young visitors to become official Junior Rangers.
View the Night Sky
Far away from most city lights, Big Bend National Park preserves pristine darkness. Take this chance to stargaze, and experience the half of the park that many of us miss - nighttime.
List of Hiking Trails in Big Bend
Hiking trails
See the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is accessible from a number of places in Big Bend National Park, and a variety of hiking trails provide even further opportunities to get up close and personal with our watery border with Mexico.
Self-Guided Tours
Driving Tour from Castolon to Santa Elena Canyon
The Castolon Historic District represents the largest and most complete example of human history in Big Bend, from Paleo-Indians to pioneers, to the establishment of the national park. Castolon’s history includes famed tales of bandits, soldiers, farmers, and ranchers, in a place where the cultures of Mexico and the United States meet. This tour will help you explore Castolon’s past through an eight-mile (one-way) driving tour from Castolon to Santa Elena Canyon.
Driving Tour from Persimmon Gap to Panther Junction
Welcome to Big Bend National Park! This driving tour covers the next 26 miles between Persimmon Gap and the Panther Junction Visitor Center. Begin this self-guided tour at the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center and follow along with the corresponding mile markers as you make your way south. Please remember that the park speed limit is 45 mph. The lower speed limit gives you a chance to enjoy the scenery, and also gives the wildlife a chance to get off of the road.
Driving Tour of Dagger Flat Road
This is a 14-mile roundtrip drive on an improved dirt road. Nineteen numbered signposts along the drive identify plants of the Chihuahuan Desert and reveal interesting facts about each one. At the road's end you will find the unique forest of the Giant Dagger Yuccas. The road has some sandy and rocky areas that may present challenges, especially after a rain, so a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Please treat the desert gently; driving off the road is destructive and prohibited by law.
Visitor Centers
Castolon Visitor Center
Located in the Castolon Historic District, the Castolon Visitor Center is open daily during the winter months. River use permits are issued during normal business hours, and entrance fees can be paid at the Castolon Visitor Center. The Castolon Visitor Center has a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore and nearby restrooms. The visitor center is located in the historic Garlick House, immediately behind the Magdalena House Exhibits. Stop by to meet a ranger and plan your adventure.
Chisos Basin Visitor Center
The Chisos Basin Visitor Center includes interactive exhibits on plants, animals, and birds found in the Chisos Mountains. Backcountry and river use permits are issued during normal business hours, and entrance fees can be paid at the visitor center. A Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore and restrooms are located at the visitor center. A water faucet is available on the east side of the building for filling personal water containers
Panther Junction Visitor Center
Panther Junction Visitor Center is the best place to begin your visit. Backcountry & river use permits are issued here. Entrance fees can be paid here. Exhibits provide an overview of geology & natural and cultural histories of the park. The visitor center also has a theater with a park orientation movie shown upon request.The visitor center complex includes a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore, U.S. Post Office, and restrooms. A water faucet is available for filling personal water containers
Persimmon Gap Visitor Center
Persimmon Gap Visitor Center is located in a low pass between the Santiago Mountains at the northern entrance of the park. This pass has been a travel corridor for centuries for people entering and exiting the lower Big Bend country. The visitor center offers park orientation and information. The visitor center has exhibits, bookstore, and restrooms. Entrance fees can be paid at the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center.
Rio Grande Village Visitor Center
The Rio Grande Village Visitor Center is located 0.25 miles north of the Rio Grande Village developed area. New exhibits focus on the Rio Grande (how it has changed over time, how the NPS works with our Mexican counterparts to protect and care for it, and the rich assemblage of species that it supports). An outdoor ramada showcases a large raised-relief map of the area, and life-sized bronze sculptures showcase some of the area's special wildlife. River use permits are issued during normal business hours.
Where to Stay
Chisos Basin Campground
The Chisos Basin Campground is nestled in an open woodland within a scenic mountain basin. Campers enjoy the iconic views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. The sunset through the nearby "Window" is a Big Bend highlight. Some of the park's most popular trails begin nearby. Elevation is 5,400 feet. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Trailers over 20 feet and RV's over 24 feet are not recommended due to the narrow, winding road to the Basin and small campsites.
Cottonwood Campground
Cottonwood Campground is a quiet oasis in the western corner of Big Bend National Park. Reservations are required. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic District, the scenic Santa Elena Canyon and the tail end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, this small, 22-site campground is one of the least-known and quiet campgrounds in the park. There is one group campsite and 21 individual sites. This is a remote campground in a remote park. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted.
Rio Grande Village Campground
Set in a grove of cottonwoods and acacia trees, the Rio Grande Village Campground is located near the Rio Grande. Elevation: 1,850 feet. Paved roads connect each campsite, and grassy areas separate each site. Flush toilets, running water, picnic tables, grills, and some overhead shelters. Dump station nearby. Campers enjoy birdwatching, hiking, exploring. A camp store with showers and a park visitor center are nearby.
Rio Grande Village RV
Open, paved lot with grassy, tree-lined edges. Adjacent to the Rio Grande Village camp store. This campground, operated by Aramark, has the only full hook-ups in the park. 25-site RV park (full hook-ups—water, electrical, and 3-inch sewer connection). All sites are back-in only. Tents are NOT permitted. Operated by the park's concessioner, Aramark. Periodically, a few sites may not be available for a 38' or longer RVs due to the size of the parking lot and orientation of the spaces.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles east to park headquarters) or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles south to park headquarters). Distances between towns and services are considerable. Be sure you have plenty of gas, food, water, and supplies for your trip. There are no electric vehicle charging stations in Big Bend National Park. The closest EV charging station is 130 miles away in Fort Stockton.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Big Bend National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Admits one individual. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians; valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$200.00Companies conducting business in the park are required to obtain a commercial use authorization. The only exception is companies travelling in a 26-person capacity or greater vehicle; such vehicles are charged a flat fee of $200 (commercial use authorization not required).
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$30.00Organized groups such as Scouts, clubs, etc. that do not qualify for an academic fee waiver are charged as follows: $30 per non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 or less. $15 per person traveling in a non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more. Fees will not exceed the commercial rate for the same sized vehicle. Youth 15 and younger are free. Individuals or families with a valid annual or lifetime pass may use their pass for themselves and up to 3 others.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$100.00This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/management/cua.htm
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle. For sedan with 1 to 6 seats, the fee is $30 + $15 per client. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 1 private, non-commercial motorcycle with up to 2 total passengers.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00Big Bend National Park Annual Pass Covers entrance fees to Big Bend National Park. Pass is available at Big Bend National Park entrance stations or any visitor center. Good for one year from purchase date. Pass is non-transferable.
Operating Hours
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is always open. You can enter and exit at any time of the day or night. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Live Webcams
Click any camera to open the live feed on the NPS website.
Photos
Century Plant Agave
Vermilion Flycatcher
Fascinating Geology
Desert Scenery
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Build your Big Bend itinerary
Tell Miza your dates, pace, and interests—get a day-by-day plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
2-4 days
Planning Big Bend
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.