
Big Bend National Park
There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone.
Photo: NPS / NPS
About Big Bend National Park
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...
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Driving times from Big Bend National Park, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Admits one individual. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians; valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$200.00Companies conducting business in the park are required to obtain a commercial use authorization. The only exception is companies travelling in a 26-person capacity or greater vehicle; such vehicles are charged a flat fee of $200 (commercial use authorization not required).
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$30.00Organized groups such as Scouts, clubs, etc. that do not qualify for an academic fee waiver are charged as follows: $30 per non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 or less. $15 per person traveling in a non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more. Fees will not exceed the commercial rate for the same sized vehicle. Youth 15 and younger are free. Individuals or families with a valid annual or lifetime pass may use their pass for themselves and up to 3 others.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$100.00This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/management/cua.htm
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle. For sedan with 1 to 6 seats, the fee is $30 + $15 per client. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. A commercial use authorization is required.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 1 private, non-commercial motorcycle with up to 2 total passengers.
Hours
Big Bend National Park
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
Big Bend is in the Chihuahuan Desert. Sunshine is abundant year-round. Spring (March) is typically warm and pleasant and is the park's busiest season. Summer heat begins in May. It is extremely HOT. Temperatures vary greatly between the desert which is usually well above 100 degrees F by late morning, and the Chisos Mountains, which can be 10-15 degrees cooler. May - August are the hottest months. Fall and Winter (Nov-Feb) are mild and pleasant, but some freezing does occur. Snow is rare.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to enter Big Bend National Park?
- Entrance to Big Bend National Park starts at $15. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
- What is there to do at Big Bend National Park?
- Popular activities include Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Birdwatching.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Big Bend National Park?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Blackwell School National Historic Site (2 h 44 min), Fort Davis National Historic Site (2 h 52 min), Amistad National Recreation Area (4 h 19 min), Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River (4 h 45 min), Chamizal National Memorial (5 h 40 min), Carlsbad Caverns National Park (6 h 17 min).