Big Bend Country, Texas
In Big Bend Country, the sky's no limit. Nowhere else in Texas do the stars at night shine quite so bright or the sunsets seems quite so rosy. Here, too, the earth displays its own vigor. Prickly pear cacti bloom with fuschia ferocity and golden exuberance as desert vistas shimmer far into the distance. Nomadic tumbleweeds bounce erratically across lonesome prairies, and craggy mountain peaks form a jagged phalanx on the horizon. Nature needs no introduction in this awe-inspiring terrain.
Explore Big Bend Country
Big Bend Ranch State Park Trails
Fifty miles of hiking and backpacking trails in Big Bend Ranch State Park are accessible at trail heads along FM 170, and opportunities for short hikes abound at several locations along the interior park road. Day-Hiking
, TX HikingBig Bend Equestrian Use
Visitors to the park are welcome to bring and use personally owned livestock as long as they understand and abide by the rules and regulations governing the use of livestock. A day use permit is required for all stock use and may be obtained at any visitor center, free of charge.
, TX EquestrianGuadalupe Mountains Equine Trails
The park offers diverse riding opportunities. Sixty percent of the trails are open to stock use. Those closed to stock are difficult to maintain or pass through unique and fragile areas intolerant of such use. Stock manure droppings introduce exotic plants that displace native vegetation.
, TX EquestrianFr. Alfred Villanueva, the current pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, had a grotto built in the church yard in honor of "Our Lady." The statue was brought over from Portugal and blessed during an outdoor mass on Mother's Day, 2001
Van Horn, TX ShrinesBig Bend National Park Rappelling
Big Bend National Park is not typically considered a climbers' destination, but it offers some scenic, challenging, and wildly varied rock climbs. Over the years, park visitors have often inquired about climbing, but there is little written.
, TX RappellingHogan Park Golf Course
The Hogan Park Golf Course is a thirtysix hole public facility operated as an enterprise fund under the Community Services Department. The original eighteen holes, now known as Quail Course, was built in 1959. Then, in 1980, nine more holes were added. In 1999
Midland, TX Golf CoursesBig Bend National Park Birdwatching
Big Bend National Park is a birdwatcher's paradise. It is home to about 450 species of birds, more than any other national park in the United States. Visit the website for specie lists, warbles, rare birds, and Big Bend's "Most Wanted."
, TX BirdwatchingBig Bend Ranch State Park Camping
Camping Areas are located at Colorado Canyon, Madera (Monilla) Canyon and at Grassy Banks River Access along FM 170. Two group camping areas, Contrabando and Arenosa, have self-composting toilets. 11
, TX CampingAmerican Airpower Heritage Museum
Located within the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Headquarters at Midland International Airport, the American Airpower Heritage Museum (AAHM) is recognized for its collection of authentic World War II artifacts, memorabilia and the world'
Midland, TX MuseumsBig Bend Ranch State Park Equine Trails
Daily/Hourly horseback rides are offered at the Sauceda Ranch Headquarters with Park staff guiding visitors through some of park's canyon trails. For information and reservations please call office (432)229-3416
, TX EquestrianFort Leaton State Historic Site
Fort Leaton State Historic Site is one of Texas' most unusual historic sites with a massive adobe fortress built by frontiersman, Ben Leaton, in 1848, immediately after the Mexican War at a strategic site on the Chihuahua-San Antonio Trail in arid West Texas by the Rio Grande.
Presidio, TX Historic Forts