Big Bend National Park: planning guide
Big desert and mountain country along the Rio Grande in west Texas. Remote, dry, and spread out — expect long drives.
Big Bend National Park is in TX, United States. The nearest town is Presidio — roughly 70.9 mi (114 km) out, about 2 hr 8 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: March through May, then October through November. Shoulder season: February and early December.
Summer highs regularly clear 100 °F / 38 °C. Winter is pleasant by day but nights drop below freezing at elevation.
Summer heat is the real hazard, not the crowds. Hike at dawn, skip exposed trails after mid-morning, and never rely on finding water.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Presidio | 70.9 mi (114 km) | 2 hr 8 min |
| Sanderson | 80.3 mi (129 km) | 2 hr 21 min |
| Alpine | 80.5 mi (130 km) | 2 hr 21 min |
| Marfa | 86.6 mi (139 km) | 2 hr 30 min |
| Fort Davis | 100 mi (161 km) | 2 hr 49 min |
| Fort Stockton | 116 mi (186 km) | 3 hr 11 min |
| Iraan | 141 mi (226 km) | 3 hr 47 min |
| McCamey | 144 mi (232 km) | 3 hr 51 min |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bend Backcountry Camping | Reservable | — |
| Chisos Basin Campground (Big Bend, TX) | Reservable | — |
| Chisos Basin Group Campground (Big Bend, TX) | Reservable | — |
| Cottonwood (Big Bend, TX) | Reservable | — |
| Rio Grande Village (Big Bend, TX) | Reservable | — |
| Rio Grande Village Group Campground (Big Bend, TX) | Reservable | — |
Where Big Bend National Park sits
Official Big Bend National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park sits close enough to Los Novillos National Park, Cumbres de Majalca National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Los Novillos National Park | 140 mi (226 km) | 3 hr 46 min |
| Cumbres de Majalca National Park | 198 mi (318 km) | 5 hr 8 min |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 208 mi (335 km) | 5 hr 23 min |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 214 mi (344 km) | 5 hr 31 min |
Parks close by
- Los Novillos National Park
Desert mountains and scrub in southern Coahuila. Dry ranges on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert.
- Cumbres de Majalca National Park
Pine forest and rock towers in the Sierra de Majalca above Chihuahua city. Cool mountain country in the northern Sierra Madre.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
High desert peaks in west Texas, including the state high point. Dry trails, limestone cliffs, and little shade.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
A large limestone cave system in New Mexico. The big room is the main draw; bats fly out on warm evenings.
Common questions
Where is Big Bend National Park?
Big Bend National Park sits in TX, United States. Presidio, about 70.9 mi (114 km) away — roughly 2 hr 8 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Big Bend National Park?
Generally March through May, then October through November, with February and early December quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Big Bend National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 6 campgrounds at Big Bend National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.