Big Bend Fast Facts
How big is Big Bend National Park?
Big Bend covers a total area of 801,163 acres or 1,252 square miles.
How many people visit Big Bend National Park?
581,220 people visited Big Bend in 2021. A table showing all years can be found at Big Bend Visitation Stats.
When was Big Bend National Park created?
Big Bend was made a national park on June 20, 1935.
What are the highest and lowest elevations in Big Bend National Park?
Big Bend’s lowest point is 1,715 feet at Rio Grande River. The highest point in Big Bend is 7,832 feet on Emory Peak.
What time zone is Big Bend National Park located in?
Big Bend is in the Central Time Zone.
How much does it cost to enter Big Bend National Park?
$30 per private vehicle per week.
Five Random Facts About Big Bend
The Rio Grande River serves both as the border of Big Bend National Park and the international border between the United States and Mexico. Within the park, this covers a distance of 118 miles. A recently reopened border crossing at Boquillas allows park visitors to legally cross into Mexico.
The name Big Bend comes from a large bend in the Rio Grande River along the park boundary.
In 2012, the park was named as an International Dark Sky Park. Big Bend National Park has the darkest measured skies in the lower 48 states, and star gazing here is obviously superb.
Floating the Rio Grande River, especially through Santa Elena Canyon, is a popular activity. Since the international border is officially in the middle of the river, these trips are treated as international trips by authorities, and proper documentation (i.e. a passport) is required.
The large range of elevations in the park contribute to its biological diversity. There are 56 species of reptiles, 75 species of mammals, more than 450 species of birds, along with at least 1,200 species of plants.
Where is Big Bend National Park?
Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote parks in the continental United States. It runs along the Texas-Mexico border created by the Rio Grande River. It is a long way from civilization of any size. Further directions and maps can be found at Getting to Big Bend.