By Alexandra Haller
Fewer than 300,000 people visit Big Bend National park each year, but those who do so are rewarded with some of the most raw, outdoor experiences in the Southwest. Sprawling across a vast 800,000 acres, Big Bend National Park also encompasses more than 100 miles of the banks of the Rio Grande.
Location
Big Bend National Park is in the isolated southwest corner of Texas along the Mexican border. It's 330 miles from El Paso and almost double that distance from Dallas.
Hours
The park is open to visitors all year. The Visitor's Center operates between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day except Christmas.
Costs
A seven-day pass for one vehicle and its passengers is $20, and $10 for those arriving on foot or bike. A yearly pass allowing for limitless trips to the park will set you back $40.
History
Big Bend was named a Texas State Park in 1933. It became a national park on June 12, 1944, and the first visitors to Big Bend arrived July 1 of that same year.
Significance
According to the National Park Service, Big Bend is home to more birds, bats and cacti than any other U.S. park. More species of reptiles reside within the park's borders than in any other national park.
Geology
Many travelers flock to the remote lands for the amazing geology and varying terrains of desert, plains and mountains. Hikers can explore along rivers and enjoy dazzling waterfalls from high peaks.
Resources
About the Author:
Alexandra Haller has written for numerous health and fitness outlets. Her work has been picked up by "Runner's World," "Reuters." She has worked as a copy editor for the American Mathematical Society, the editor-in-chief for Her Active Life and is now a proofreader for Plante & Moran.
