BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Invasive cane removal and the high flows of the Rio Grande River uncovered the historic wall near the old resort at the park's hot springs.

Long before the national park, horseback bands gathered in West Texas for annual forays south

The National Park Service is working on solutions to control mass tourism, like its reservation system. We tourists need to do our part, too. Here's how. Solutions to crowding in national parks

A group of field botanists set out on the impossible mission of finding an extinct tree, and somehow pulled it off

Big Bend National Park’s well-loved Window Trail is closed until further notice due to a significant increase in bear activity.

How to get the adventure and scenery without having to spend days in your kayak or canoe.

My dream of navigating through Big Bend’s stunning canyons finally came true. I just had to start a little farther downstream.

Rainstorms brought flooding that shifted the Rio Grande's main channel, damaging Hot Springs Trail and filling the pool with mud.

The Alvino House is a vestige of the Rio Grande farming communities that preceded Big Bend National Park

Tentative plans call for the beloved dining-hall structure to be rebuilt and modernized—with even better views.

Conquer the Guadalupe Mountains, lollygag through the loblollies in East Texas, or trace a historic railroad near Caprock Canyons.

A proposed wilderness designation would prohibit development in two-thirds of the national park, solidifying the park's current policy.

“I’m not taking my eyes off this guy.”

If you want to see the variety of vistas that Texas has to offer, then load the car, buckle up, and get ready for these fun spring drives.

Designating Big Bend as a federal wilderness area, advocates say, will ensure it stays rugged for decades to come.

Wildflower season isn’t just a spring thing

The wide-open spaces of west Texas lured a record 581,000 recreational visits to remote Big Bend in 2021. These numbers reflect a 25% increase since 2019 (464,000), the last year the park was completely open, and a 49% increase since 2016 (390,000). Once relatively unknown, the Big Bend area continues to see a significant increase in visitation, and the COVID-19 pandemic has

Ancient rock art at a Texas national park was “irreparably damaged” last month, prompting officials to urge the public to come forward with information about the vandals.

Big Bend National Park has seen an increase in vandalism and graffiti in recent years, with officials logging 50 incidents since 2015.

Some idiots carved their names on prehistoric petroglyphs in Big Bend—and it's part of a disturbing spike in vandalism.

The fully accessible, shaded exhibit and picnic area display fossils from prehistoric times, many unearthed in the Big Bend area. I learned of the different creatures that thrived during the times when Big Bend was a shallow sea, then a coastal plain, a forested region, and its current arid environment. “There’s a magic to Big Bend,” remarks Tom VandenBerg, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services for the park. Big Bend National Park isn’t just for a physically fit few, but for everyone to enjoy, no matter what age or ability. With a little planning, you can experience a large part of what Big Bend has to offer.

An astronaut costume contributes to the moonscape feel to the Chihuahuan Desert

Mild temperatures and windy conditions make fall a good time to visit Big Bend

During these next few mornings, we'll have a chance to see a few pieces of Halley's Comet zipping through our atmosphere in the form of meteors.

By Big Bend SentinelALPINE — United States Border Patrol and its entities along with multiple local agencies under a unified command led by the National Park Service, rescued a lost hiker in Big Bend National Park. Late in the afternoon of September 27, 2021, the National Park Service received information that a female hiker was overdue in Big Bend National Park. She was then flown by a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine, Texas. “The coordinated actions of all agencies involved led to the successful rescue of a lost hiker,” said Big Bend Sector Chief Sean L. McGoffin. We appreciate the close working partnerships in the Big Bend region.”Big Bend Sector and the National Park Service remind everyone to remain vigilant, keep in contact with the other members of their party, and prepare for environmental changes when hiking.

Spokespersons with National Park Service and Customers and Border Potection didn't say...

One of the Lone Star State’s most adorable insect inhabitants made its viral internet debut Wednesday when a volunteer at Big Bend National Park photographed what appeared to be some sort of dimpled red sack meandering about the park.

Visitors to Big Bend National Park in far West Texas are on high alert after one of the parks many insect inhabitants made it’s viral internet debut earlier this month.

On July 14, a photograph shared by staff at Big Bend National Park had media outlets describing the beasts as ‘'acid-shooting land lobsters.”

Yes, it has fearsome pincers and shoots acid when threatened. But it’s essentially harmless!

Vinegaroons shoot "well-aimed" vinegar spray, eat cockroaches for dinner — and emerge from the ground looking for love.

Federal agencies that manage national parks said Texas overestimated the cost of new emission regulations and failed to address their concerns in its analysis.

Brewster County –– Late Monday night, deputies with the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office detained 49 undocumented immigrants inside an RV on Highway 118 near the Big Bend National Park entrance after conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle.

These parks are ready for you to mount up.

Television

The cause of the fire is unknown.

In June, the Chisos Mountain Lodge at Big Bend National Park posted a video clip showing a pair of black bear cubs wrestling on a patio as their mother watched. It also spurred some to point out how animals are returning to areas normally inhabited by humans during temporary park closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Similar reports have come from other parks: Rangers encountered pronghorn near a visitors’ center at Death Valley National Park, and officials at Yosemite National Park noted that bears began frequenting areas usually teeming with humans. Every summer, hundreds of endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles come ashore along the park’s 70 miles of coastline to lay nests. Officials have recorded 262 nests along the Texas coast this year, second only to 2017, when 353 nests were counted.

Drifting past the desolate sight, I marveled at the glory and isolation of exploring one of Texas wildest placesthe Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande. His detailed account, published in The Century Magazine, captures the highs and lows of a monthlong Rio Grande expedition from Presidio to Langtry. But out on the Rio Grande, the walls of the Lower Canyons echo with liberation. The most popular run on the Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande spans 83 miles over seven to 10 days. Helpful resources include The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande, by Louis F. Aulbach and Joe Butler, and the Big Bend Natural History Associations River Guide to the Rio Grande: The Lower Canyons.

Seasoned outfitter and owner of Far Flung Outdoor Center Greg Henington shares tips to help you plan the perfect getaway into the great outdoors. I have an old saying, Theres no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.COME ENJOY THE OUTDOORS WITH FAR FLUNG OUTDOOR CENTER! Posted by Far Flung Outdoor Center on Friday, June 5, 2020Big Bend National Park offer more than 800,000 acres of beautiful wide open spaces for adventurers to explore in west Texas. The dry heat will sneak up on you really, really fast. To connect with Greg Henington, email him at info@bigbendfarflung.com or visit the Far Flung Outdoor Center website.

USPS honors Big Bend with new stamp releasing in January 2020The U.S. Postal Service's new Priority Mail stamp featuring Big Bend releases on Jan. 18. Postal Service's new Priority Mail stamp featuring Big Bend releases on Jan. 18. "The United States Postal Service celebrates the Big Bend region in West Texas, where river, mountain and desert ecosystems coexist in vast expanses." The stamp art, designed by Greg Breeding with original art by Dan Cosgrove, features the Rio Grande flowing through the Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.

Coming soon to a package near you: A glimpse of Big Bend National Park. Postal Service has unveiled a new Priority Mail stamp depicting a scene familiar to many Texans—the Rio Grande disappearing between the sheer cliff walls of Santa Elena Canyon. “This is wonderful recognition for Big Bend National Park and a beautiful image of the iconic mouth of Santa Elena Canyon, one of the most scenic parts of the national park,” Big Bend Superintendent Bob Krumenaker said. “It’s a nice capstone to the park’s 75th anniversary, too.”Big Bend National Park celebrated its 75th birthday in 2019. Although he has never visited Big Bend National Park, Cosgrove says working on the stamp made him want to go.

This year, Big Bend National Park celebrated its 75th anniversary, and very soon, U.S. Echoing the classic artwork of WPA-era National Park posters, the Big Bend stamp depicts the Rio Grande flowing between the sheer limestone cliffs of Santa Elena Canyon, in a remote part of Big Bend National Park. INBOX: @USPS will issue a priority mail stamp next year featuring Big Bend National Park. Before that, the postal service unveiled a Texas stamp that featured a Texas longhorn grazing in from of the Alamo. Along with a stamp commemorating Michigans Grand Island Ice Caves, also featuring art by Cosgrove, the Big Bend stamp will be released on Jan. 18, 2020.

Forbes once considered Big Bend National Park to be, "a Texas sized geologic wonder of the world. And its true. Each year thousands of guests take the trek out to Big Bend National Park to hike, camp, climb, stargaze and experience a place unlike any other. John Moore/Getty Images An RV camp sits within the Chisos Basin of the Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Here are 5 places to see near Big Bend National Park:1. According to the National Park Service, Hot spring water is considered old water, fossil water, ancient and irreplaceable.

Forbes once considered Big Bend National Park to be, "a Texas sized geologic wonder of the world. And its true. Each year thousands of guests take the trek out to Big Bend National Park to hike, camp, climb, stargaze and experience a place unlike any other. Luckily for Houstonians, Big Bend is an easily planned trip if you want to take a quick flight and drive out to the area or a nine-hour car ride. Here are 5 places to see near Big Bend National Park:1. According to the National Park Service, Hot spring water is considered old water, fossil water, ancient and irreplaceable.

Austin man dies while hiking at Big Bend National ParkOn Saturday, October 5th, Big Bend National Park was notified that a solo hiker had collapsed and stopped breathing near the Emory Peak Trail junction in the Chisos Mountains. On Saturday, October 5th, Big Bend National Park was notified that a solo hiker had collapsed and stopped breathing near the Emory Peak Trail junction in the Chisos Mountains. Photo: NPS/Cookie Ballou Photo: NPS/Cookie Ballou Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Austin man dies while hiking at Big Bend National Park 1 / 8 Back to GalleryA solo hiker from Austin lost his life on Saturday at Big Bend National Park after he collapsed and stopped breathing near the Emory Peak Trail, according to a news release from the National Park Service. The backpacker has been identified as a 73-year-old man from Austin who had a passion for hiking in national parks. ON CHRON.COM: Friendswood hiker found dead in Big Bend National Park"Big Bend National Park staff and partners are saddened by this loss," Superintendent Tom VandenBerg said, "our entire park family extends sincere condolences to the hiker's family and friends."

New species of dinosaur discovered at Big Bend National ParkThe fossil of the new species, Aquilarhinus palimentus, was discovered in the 1980s but researchers could not analyze it until recently. The fossil of the new species, Aquilarhinus palimentus, was discovered in the 1980s but researchers could not analyze it until recently. Photo: Big Bend National Park/ICRA Art Photo: Big Bend National Park/ICRA Art Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close New species of dinosaur discovered at Big Bend National Park 1 / 39 Back to GalleryA new, more primitive species of dinosaur was discovered at Big Bend National Park this week. New research shows the fossil is linked to a more primitive species that is helping researchers draw conclusions about how this species of dinosaurs evolved over time, according to the release. The discovery leads researchers to believe there could be an even greater number of primitive species than previously recognized, according to the release.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss and would like to extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Merrill," said Big Bend National Park superintendent Bob Krumenaker.A fellow hiker who knew Merrill as an experienced outdoorsman who had been visiting Big Bend National Park since his childhood, often several times a year, was stunned by Merrill's death. "Marufo Vega is a tough trail in a very harsh environment," he told ABC13. "The park says that morning, temperatures in the area were in the 90s and reached 106 degrees by late afternoon. "The environment of Big Bend in the summer is, sadly, unforgiving," continued Krumenaker. "We urge all hikers to be sure they are prepared for the summer desert conditions so they are able to return home and safely visit Big Bend again.

An RV camp sits within the Chisos Basin of the Big Bend National Park in West Texas. HOUSTON - A family is grieving after a hike turned into a tragedy in Big Bend National Park. The environment of Big Bend in the summer is, sadly, unforgiving. We urge all hikers to be sure they are prepared for the summer desert conditions so they are able to return home and safely visit Big Bend again. Text from our... Posted by Big Bend National Park on Wednesday, July 3, 2019Copyright 2019 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

Friendswood hiker found dead in Big Bend National ParkThe view from Sotol Vista along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park Saturday, April 8, 2017. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle) The view from Sotol Vista along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park Saturday, April 8, 2017. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Friendswood hiker found dead in Big Bend National Park 1 / 19 Back to GalleryA 54-year-old man from Friendswood died Tuesday while hiking amid sweltering heat in Big Bend National Park, according to officials. Authorities found his car parked at the trailhead, as well as a note that detailed his plans to hike from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a National Park Services news release. He was found that evening with two liters of water and a full bottle of gatorade, said Jennette Jurado, a Big Bend park ranger.