Big Bend Country, Texas
In Big Bend Country, the sky's no limit. Nowhere else in Texas do the stars at night shine quite so bright or the sunsets seems quite so rosy. Here, too, the earth displays its own vigor. Prickly pear cacti bloom with fuschia ferocity and golden exuberance as desert vistas shimmer far into the distance. Nomadic tumbleweeds bounce erratically across lonesome prairies, and craggy mountain peaks form a jagged phalanx on the horizon. Nature needs no introduction in this awe-inspiring terrain.
Explore Big Bend Country
Big Bend Equestrian Use
Visitors to the park are welcome to bring and use personally owned livestock as long as they understand and abide by the rules and regulations governing the use of livestock. A day use permit is required for all stock use and may be obtained at any visitor center, free of charge.
, TX EquestrianBig Bend Ranch State Park Trails
Fifty miles of hiking and backpacking trails in Big Bend Ranch State Park are accessible at trail heads along FM 170, and opportunities for short hikes abound at several locations along the interior park road. Day-Hiking
, TX HikingDavis Mountains State Park EquineTrails
Seven miles of equestrian trails are located in the beautiful Limpia Canyon Primitive Area. Visitors must provide their own horses. The trail takes riders from a 4,900 feet elevation at Limpia Creek to over 5,700
, TX EquestrianGuadalupe Mountains Camping
Backcountry Campgrounds For those who wish to enjoy an arduous backpacking experience there are 10
, TX CampingFate Bell Shelter
Fate Bell Shelter is located in Seminole Canyon State Historical Park. The shelter, which is a state archeological landmark, was named after Mrs. Fate Bell, who owned the land that the shelter occupies. Fate Bell Shelter is a deeply stratified rock shelter containing evidence of over 8,000
Langtry, TX ArchaeologyBig Bend National Park Trails
Big Bend National park is a hiker's paradise containing the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas. More than 150 miles of trails offer opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the eastern end of Boquillas Canyon to 7,825
, TX HikingMonahans Sandhills Camping
Monahans Sandhills State Park offers 26 campsites with water; electricity, and shade shelters at $10 per night; campsites with water for tent campers; an equestrian day-use area, of approximately 600 acres, that has a staging area with hitching posts and water for horses; a group dining hall (
, TX CampingFranklin Mountains State Park Trails
Many hiking trails are currently accessible off of Loop 375/Trans-Mountain Road. Work is underway for a trail network that will ultimately offer a 118-mile network. All 118 miles will be open to hiking traffic, 51 miles will be open to hiking and mountain biking traffic, and 22
, TX HikingBig Bend National Park Birdwatching
Big Bend National Park is a birdwatcher's paradise. It is home to about 450 species of birds, more than any other national park in the United States. Visit the website for specie lists, warbles, rare birds, and Big Bend's "Most Wanted."
, TX BirdwatchingBig Bend Ranch State Park Equine Trails
Daily/Hourly horseback rides are offered at the Sauceda Ranch Headquarters with Park staff guiding visitors through some of park's canyon trails. For information and reservations please call office (432)229-3416
, TX EquestrianIndian Lodge Historic Site
On the slopes of the Davis Mountains within the bounds of Davis Mountains State Park, this rustic inn was built in the 1930s and modeled after southwestern Indian pueblos. The historic section of the lodge was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
, TX Historic Sites