Big Bend National Park

Desert Vista from Dorgan House
There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. Here, at the end of the road, hundreds of bird species take refuge in a solitary mountain range surrounded by weather-beaten desert. Tenacious cactus bloom in sublime southwestern sun, and species diversity is the best in the country. This magical place is Big Bend...
Map showing location of park.
A park entrance beside a road, with sparse shrubs in the foreground and rugged mountains rising in the distance under a wide, open sky.
Invasive Tree Removal Along the Rio Grande
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – Big Bend National Park will cut down and apply herbicide to invasive tamarisk along the Rio Grande, including the Hot Springs area, February 12-28.
Park entrance sign with the words, Big Bend National Park, Mountains and desert hills in the background.
Critical Water Shortage in Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, Texas—On December 23, 2025, the water pumps at Oak Spring failed completely. These pumps supply water to the Chisos Basin developed area from Oak Spring, the only water source for the Chisos Basin. The park immediately enacted Stage 2 water restrictions to conserve the water stored in the Chisos Basin water tanks.
Blooming Cenizo
Photo by NPS
Century Plant Agave
Photo by NPS / C. Negele
Vermilion Flycatcher
Photo by NPS
Fascinating Geology
Photo by NPS / B. Trester
Desert Scenery
Photo by NPS
Santa Elena Canyon
Photo by NPS / B. Trester
View from the South Rim of the Chisos
Photo by NPS
Rio Grande Scene
Photo by NPS
Blooming Ocotillo
Photo by NPS / B. Trester
Balanced Rock
Photo by NPS
Top of the Lost Mine Trail
Photo by NPS / B. Trester
Chisos Mountains
Photo by NPS / B. Trester