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 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 EquestrianThe Post
Located five miles south of town on the Post Road lies what remains of old Fort Pena Colorado, built in 1879 to protect area residents from Indian raids.
Marathon, TX Historic FortsBig 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 RappellingGuadalupe Mountains Camping
Backcountry Campgrounds For those who wish to enjoy an arduous backpacking experience there are 10
, TX CampingBig Bend Camping
Most campsites in Big Bend National Park are on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. The National Park Service operates 3 campgrounds at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and Castolon. The cost is $10.00 per night for a site.
, TX CampingBig 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 HikingFr. 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 Trails
Big Bend National park is a hiker's paradise containing the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas. More than 150 miles of trails offer opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the eastern end of Boquillas Canyon to 7,825
, TX HikingFort 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 FortsFate Bell Shelter
Fate Bell Shelter is located in Seminole Canyon State Historical Park. The shelter, which is a state archeological landmark, was named after Mrs. Fate Bell, who owned the land that the shelter occupies. Fate Bell Shelter is a deeply stratified rock shelter containing evidence of over 8,000
Langtry, TX Archaeology