Special Events in Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is open year round. But the majority of park visitors come March and holiday weekends, lowest visitation is in August and September. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
You can enjoy sightseeing by personal car, or backpacking, birdwatching, camping, fishing, float trips, hiking and wildlife viewing to name a few activities. Commercial float trips on the Rio Grande are available through outfitters just outside the park.
AM Guided Hike
1 mile. 1.5 hours
Join a ranger for a look at javelinas, one of Big Bend's most prevalent and interesting animals. Meet at the Chisos Basin Amphitheater parking lot.
PM Evening Slide Program
1 hour
Join a ranger to learn how reptiles and amphibians survive and even thrive in the desert. Bring a flashlight. Wheelchair accessible. Chisos Basin Amphitheater.
PM Evening Get Together
1 hour
Join a ranger for a relaxing evening of questions and answers about Big Bend. Bring a flashlight. Wheelchair accessible. Chisos Basin Amphitheater.
Morning Birding Walk
2 hours
Join a ranger for some tips on identifying some of the resident and migrant species found in the Big Bend. Recommended for beginners. Bring binoculars, field guides and water. Meet at the entrance to Cottonwood Campground
Evening Slide Program
1 hour Almost 450 species of birds representing 57 families have been identified in Big Bend National Park. Join a ranger to learn about the factors that contribute to this amazing diversity of birds. Wheelchair accessible. Bring a flashlight. Chisos Basin Amphitheater
Morning Talk
45 min Despite the park's distance from large cities, it is impacted by air pollution from hundreds of miles away. Where does it come from and what are we doing about it? Join a ranger to learn more about this important issue and how it affects Big Bend. Meet at Dugout Wells, six miles south of Panther Junction. Bring water and a hat.