National Park · Texas
Big Bend National Park
Desert, river canyons & dark skies
StateTexas
Best seasonNov–April
Don’t missSanta Elena Canyon on the Rio Grande
TerrainDesert, mountains & river canyons
Big Bend is vast and remote — Chihuahuan Desert, the Chisos Mountains, and the Rio Grande’s canyons along the Mexican border, under some of the darkest skies in the country. Cooler months are the window; summer is desert-hot.
What to see
- Santa Elena Canyon
- The Window (Chisos Basin)
- Lost Mine Trail
- Rio Grande Hot Springs
- Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Plan around it
Check the park’s official site for current entrance fees, timed-entry or permits, road and seasonal closures before you go.