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 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 CampingSeminole Canyon State Park Interpretive Center
The Interpretive Center at the Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site has exhibits relating to the history of the canyon area. Tours of the Fate Bell Shelter are held daily Wednesday through Sunday. From June 1st through August 31st the Fate Bell Tour will be held at 10
, TX Visitors CentersBig 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 RappellingBig 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 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 HikingGuadalupe Mountains Camping
Backcountry Campgrounds For those who wish to enjoy an arduous backpacking experience there are 10
, TX CampingBig 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 BirdwatchingFort 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 FortsThe 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 FortsFr. 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 ShrinesGuadalupe 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 Equestrian