| Nestled in the crook of the Rio Grande as it | | | | weather can vary inside the park at any given |
| snakes its way between the United States and | | | | time, making year around adventures possible. |
| Mexico is Big Bend National Park. This 800,000 | | | | The Rio Grande runs for 118 miles along the |
| acre park is located in the southwest corner of | | | | southern park boundary. Canyons rise up from |
| Texas, almost 500 miles from Austin. Big Bend | | | | the river's edge creating the perfect environment |
| National Park is described as being three | | | | for scenic river trips. According to the National |
| destinations in one, with deserts, mountains and | | | | Park Service website, there are half day trips all |
| rivers. It has the distinction of being the largest | | | | the way to week-long adventures. |
| protected area of the Chihuanhuan Desert in | | | | Adventure is what Big Bend is all about. From |
| America. | | | | scenic drives to backcountry hiking, Big Bend |
| Perhaps not a well known area, however, the | | | | offers something for every level of outdoor |
| Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in North | | | | enthusiasm. A visitor to Big Bend can see the |
| America. The majority of its vast expanse is | | | | park through any number of scenic drives, |
| located in Mexico. According to the Chihuahuan | | | | offering both desert and mountain views. But to |
| Desert Education Coalition, it is a higher altitude | | | | truly appreciate the park, the car should be |
| desert and because of this has more plant and | | | | parked and the hiking boots put on. |
| animal diversity than the typical desert landscape, | | | | As the park rangers recommend, explore on foot |
| including 318 varieties of cactus. | | | | and "become part of the landscape." Getting to |
| The unusual topography makes it very popular | | | | the park generally involves a long drive, but |
| for study by geologist and paleontologist. The land | | | | visitors will soon discover that it is worth the trip. |
| has proven to be rich in fossils from the | | | | Big Bend National Park offers the largest area of |
| Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. In fact, the park | | | | public lands without roads in Texas. There are |
| has a number of historic structures and artifacts | | | | over 150 miles of trails in the park, including gentle |
| estimated to be 9,000 years old have been found | | | | walking trails and rugged backpacking trails. |
| at Big Bend. | | | | Throughout the year Big Bend's park rangers |
| Summer is a tough time for camping in Texas, | | | | offer guided hikes, informative evening talks and |
| with the hot weather and unpredictable | | | | naturalist workshops. These programs are free |
| rainstorms. This can be true in Big Bend, too. | | | | and happen daily. Program schedules, maps, |
| However, the massive park has a range in altitude | | | | camping information and reservations are available |
| from around 1,800 feet along the river to 7,800 | | | | at the parks visitor center. |
| feet in the Chisos Mountains. This means the | | | | |