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Big Bend National Park

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Big Bend National Park

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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...

Activities: Astronomy · Auto and ATV · Backcountry Camping · Backcountry Hiking · Biking · Birdwatching · Bookstore and Park Store · Camping · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Canoeing · Food · Front-Country Hiking · Guided Tours · Hiking · Junior Ranger Program · Kayaking · Paddling · Park Film · Scenic Driving · Self-Guided Tours - Auto · Self-Guided Tours - Walking · Shopping · Stargazing · Wildlife Watching

Published entrance fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$30 · Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.

Entrance - Per Person

$15 · Admits one individual. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians; valid for 7 days.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$200 · Companies 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 · Organized 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 · This 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 · These 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 · Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 1 private, non-commercial motorcycle with up to 2 total passengers.

Published passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$55 · Big Bend National Park Annual Pass Covers entrance fees to Big Bend National Park. Pass is available at Big Bend National Park entrance stations or any visitor center. Good for one year from purchase date. Pass is non-transferable.

Published operating hours

Big Bend National Park · Big Bend National Park is always open. You can enter and exit at any time of the day or night. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year.

Fees, facilities and activities are the 2026-10-03 NPS snapshot. Historical visitation describes recorded visits, not crowding forecasts or present conditions.

Plan your visit

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.

Campgrounds (4)

• Chisos Basin Campground
• Cottonwood Campground
• Rio Grande Village Campground
• Rio Grande Village RV

Official NPS information and current conditions ↗