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Big Bend National Park

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Overview

Big Bend National Park is home to a diverse and varied landscape. The park is known for coal black night skies and the amazing shrine-like fissures that the rivers have carved into the karstic limestone. A land of geological wonder, visitors can explore the rich history of the land and its sea fossils, dinosaur bones, and volcanic dikes that break the desert landscape. The park is also a land of borders - a place where countries and cultures meet and where hundreds of bird species take refuge in the solitary mountain range and determined cactus bloom in the weather-beaten desert. Visitors will enjoy exploring the meandering river corridor of the Rio Grande, the expansive desert floors, and the impressive sky island ridge tops that reach for the stars.

To learn more about Big Bend National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Please Note: There are NO singletrack trails within Big Bend National Park that are open to mountain bikes. This page serves as a general overview of the area. If you're visiting the park and looking for a place to ride, check out the following areas:

Visiting Tips

Big Bend National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Entrance fee stations have variable hours and seasons. Big Bend's busy season is generally November through April, and the park is often full to capacity during Thanksgiving week, Christmas holiday season, and spring break (mid-March). Advance reservations for camping and lodging are highly recommended. To maximize your visit, plan ahead and have a flexible itinerary.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
The park operates three developed campgrounds. A limited number of campsites in Rio Grande Village and the Chisos Basin campgrounds are reservable from November 15 to April 15. Reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance by visiting recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Big Bend National Park cannot make reservations. For more information on reservations, click here. The concession-operated Rio Grande Village RV Campground (with full hook-ups) is also located at Rio Grande Village. For reservations call 1-877-386-4383 or 432-477-2293.


Backcountry Camping:
Big Bend has a number of primitive campsites along backcountry roads. While some sites are accessible to most vehicles, a high clearance and/or 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary to reach others. Primitive sites offer excellent views, solitude, and a flat gravel space to set up camp next to your vehicle. No shade, toilets, or other amenities are provided. A backcountry use permit is required to camp at any of these sites. More information can be found on the park's website.

Lodging:
The Chisos Mountains Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, Inc., is located in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet elevation. The lodge offers a variety of rooms and cottages, plus a gift shop and dining room. The lodge is open year-round. Reservations can be made online or by calling (877) 386-4383 or (432) 477 2291.

Food & Drink

The Mountain View Restaurant, located in the Chiso Mountain Lodge, provides the only full-service dining inside the park. The restaurant has a grand vista of the basin and surrounding peaks and is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, there are three convenience stores located at the Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, and Castolon which carry basic camping supplies and groceries. Two gas stations are located at Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village. For visitors looking for additional dining options, the nearby towns of Terlingua and Study Butte have plenty of options.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Big Bend National Park is bucket list worthy, and if you are looking for advice or support for a bike trip here, definitely contact Western Spirit Cycling. Their guides have these trails dialed, plus they will get their massive support truck to camp, whip up amazing food, and keep the beer cold.

Other Activities

With over 100 miles of paved roads, 150 miles of dirt roads, and about 200 miles of trail, Big Bend Nationa Park offers nearly limitless opportunities for scenic driving, hiking, running, camping, backpacking, horseback riding, bird watching, wildlife observation, and stargazing. Additionally, the Rio Grande borders the park for 118 miles providing options for half-day floats to extended excursion by raft, canoe, or kayak. More information on river trips can be found on the park's website. For visitors looking for other opportunities for outdoor recreation outside the park, be sure to check out the nearby options for rock climbing and mountain biking in the area.

Recommended Routes in Big Bend National Park - 1

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite It's easy riding through the desert on Glenn Springs Road when the Chisos Mountains serve as your backdrop.
Intermediate Intermediate

Glenn Springs to Hot Springs

43.8 mi 70.5 km 1,358' Up 413.87 m Up 2,625' Down 800.03 m Down

Big Ben…, TX
Explore in 3D

Big Bend National Park Biking

  • 58 Miles 94 Kilometers of Trail
  • 1 Recommended Route
  • 3 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 5 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

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Trails in Big Bend National Park - 7

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

16.3 mi 26.3 km #1Glenn Springs Road
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
8.9 mi 14.3 km #2Black Gap Road
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
19.9 mi 32.0 km #3River Road East
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
11.0 mi 17.8 km #4Talley Road
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Big Bend National Park, TX
1.6 mi 2.6 km #5Hot Springs Road
Easy Easy
Big Bend National Park, TX
Easy Easy
Big Bend National Park, TX

Photos of Big Bend National Park - 8

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

Experience riding lonely roads through the expanse that is Big Bend National Park.
Feb 22, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
The Mariscal Mine is worth a short detour and makes a nice place for a break.
Feb 22, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
Take a peek through the ruins of a building near the Hot Springs.
Feb 22, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
Be sure to investigate the ruins near the Mariscal Mine.
Feb 22, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
It's easy riding through the desert on Glenn Springs Road when the Chisos Mountains serve as your backdrop.
Feb 22, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
Beware of standing water near Glenn Spring on Black Gap Road.
Mar 15, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
Who needs 4x4?  South end of Black Gap Road.
Sep 13, 2019 near Big Ben…, TX
Looking south along the Black Gap Road towards Elephant Tusk.
Sep 13, 2019 near Big Ben…, TX

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