In southwest Texas, where the Rio Grande makes a large turn, lies Big Bend National Park. This park is rich with remote scenic splendors and diverse landscapes covering over 800,000 acres of desert, mountains, and canyons.
There are plenty of things to do in this park. More than 150 miles of trails are available for hiking and offer plenty of opportunities for viewing the desert scenery and wildlife. Visitors may be blessed with a glimpse of a mountain lion or black bear. With 160 miles of dirt roads to enjoy the solitude of the backcountry, Big Bend has become the place for serious mountain biking in Texas.
For those who prefer water sports, floating the Rio Grande is available and trips can be arranged with several local outfitters just outside the park. The Rio Grande also has some big cat fish for those wanting to do a little fishing.
Springtime brings an incredible variety of migratory birds through the area, with 446 species recorded so far. This abundance makes for some great birdwatching opportunities.
To accommodate the many visitors to Big Bend the NPS operates three campgrounds at Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, and Castolon, as well as Chisos Mountains Lodge. Primitive camping is also available at backcountry campsites and along backcountry roads, permits required. You can find additional camping and lodging outside the park.
For more information on this Texas getaway, check out the NPS Web site:
