Visiting Big Bend National Park

Planning a trip to Big Bend National Park and need some help planning your trip?

Here is the National Park Obsessed guide for visiting Big Bend National Park, Texas.

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The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve
National Park Obsessed’s Detailed Guides to Denali National Park
National Parks Near Denali National Park
- National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive
- National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive
Pin for Later: Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve: The Complete Guide

The Quick Guide to Visiting Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park Basics

Region: Intermountain / Southwest

Park Size: 801,163 acres (1251.82 sq miles) (3242.19 sq km)

Location: Brewster County

Closest Cities: Alpine, Texas

Busy Season: October to May

Visitation: 463,832 (in 2019)

How much does Big Bend National Park Cost?

Big Bend National Park costs the following:

7-day Passenger Vehicle Pass – $30
7-day Motorcycle Pass – $25
7-day Individual Pass – $7

An annual Big Bend National Park Pass cost $55 but it is not recommended you buy this pass. For an extra $25 you can get an American the Beautiful Pass. This $80 pass offers free admission to all 116 fee-charging National Park Units.

When is Big Bend National Park Open?

Big Bend National Park is open year-round.

Are dogs allowed in Big Bend National Park?

Yes, pets are welcome in Big Bend National Park but are limited to developed areas such as roads, parking areas, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on trails or in the river. Please review the Big Bend Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Arches.

Where are Big Bend National Park’s visitor centers?

Panther Junction Visitor Center – Open Year Around

Chisos Basin Visitor Center – Open Year Around

Castolon Visitor Center – November to April

Persimmon Gap Visitor Center – November to April

Rio Grande Village Visitor Center – November to April

Land Acknowledgment

The park now known as Big Bend National Parks is on Jumanos, Coahuiltecan, Mescalero Apache, Chiso, and Pescado land.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.