Big Bend National Park Texas is part of the million acres of public land set aside on the Big Bend of the Rio Grande River in southwest Texas on the border between the United States and Mexico. The over 800,000 acres which comprise the park include rivers, desert and mountains. Within the borders of the Big Bend National Park TX lay both the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert within the U. S., as well as the only complete mountain range to fall within a United States national park. It is one of the largest of the national outdoor parks in the United States but has a small number of visitors relative to its size. The natural, virtually unspoiled beauty of this park can hardly be done justice by Big Bend National Park pictures. The big bend in the park's name reflects the giant crook made by the Rio Grande River. The river makes up 118 miles of the southern border of the Big Bend National Park TX.
Big Bend National Park Texas is open twenty-four hours a day year round. The largest number of visitors comes to the park in March and on holidays. August and September are the months when most people visit Big Bend National Park Texas. Any month at all is good if you want to take Big Bend National Park pictures. The park affords a wide variety of opportunities for those who bring their cameras. There are some forms of vegetation and bird life which are seen nowhere other than in Big Bend National Park Texas.
Big Bend National Park Texas was established in 1933. Previously it had been Big Bend State Park and was about 160,000 acres in size. Later, in 1944, another 700,000 acres were added to the park and it was officially designated as a National Park by Congressional Act. Big Bend National Park Texas received the designation of International Biosphere Reserve in 1976.
The fees to enter Big Bend National Park Texas are low. An individual, non-commercial vehicle pays $15.00. Each person pays $5.00 and an unlimited entry annual pass is available for $30.00. There are also reduced fees for blind, disabled and senior citizens. Passes allowing entry to all national parks or all national forests can also be purchased.
The only lodging available within the borders of the Big Bend National Park Texas is the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The lodge has seventy-two rooms and six cabins. However, there are also three campgrounds and a RV site located inside Big Bend National Park Texas. The campgrounds are open year round but reservations must be made on the National Parks reservation system.
Numerous communities surround Big Bend National Park Texas and offer amenities for travelers who do not wish to stay inside the park. These towns offer many scenic sites and a diverse range of activities. Marathon and Terlingua Ghost town are among the nearby locations that offer further vacation opportunities.
Hiking trails in a variety of lengths and severity abound as do outfitters for river trips. Mountain bike trips and horseback riding are also available. Individual and their vehicles encounter many restrictions on public land, but there are venues for various guided tours.