Big Bend National Park News
Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Big Bend National Park - News section for more.
North Rosillos Found Eligible for Wilderness Designation
February 3, 2023 | 12:00 pm
Over 99 square miles of rugged mountains and sweeping desert expanses in the northern reaches of Big Bend National Park have been determined eligible for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This administrative determination does not make a recommendation to Congress for designation and has no impact on public use, nor does it change current management. Rather, it recognizes the wilderness characteristics of these lands which had not previously been assessed.
Temporary Closures to Protect Nesting Falcons
January 20, 2023 | 12:00 pm
Beginning February 1st and continuing through May 31st, the National Park Service (NPS) will again temporarily close select areas in the Chisos Mountains to protect nesting falcons.
NPS Seeks Input on Proposed Communications Tower at Panther Junction
December 6, 2022 | 9:00 am
Commnet Four Corners, LLC (Commnet) has requested a special use permit to build a new communication tower in the Panther Junction developed area. The NPS is seeking public comments on this proposal through January 15, 2023.
Boquillas Port of Entry Begins Winter Schedule
October 28, 2022 | 9:00 am
The Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico, as well as the Mexican Protected Areas of Maderas del Carmen and Ocampo, will change to the winter schedule beginning Wednesday, November 2. The crossing will be open five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Desert Bighorn – Aoudad Survey to Begin
October 6, 2022 | 6:00 am
During the week of October 10th, the National Park Service (NPS) will continue with ongoing measures to protect desert bighorn sheep in Big Bend National Park, which includes reducing the population of non-native aoudad (Barbary sheep). Some remote sections of the park will be closed during this operation.
Storm Damaged Park Roads and Trails Reopen
September 9, 2022 | 7:00 am
Many of the park's primitive dirt roads and a portion of the paved Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and Lost Mine Trail have reopened following damage from heavy monsoon rains. High water flows are expected this weekend along the Rio Grande.
Storm Damage to Lost Mine and Ross Maxwell Drive
September 3, 2022 | 1:00 pm
On Saturday, heavy rains resulted in damage to both the Lost Mine Trail and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The Lost Mine Trail will remain closed until trail crews can repair the damaged section. The Ross Maxwell Drive is now closed south of Mule Ears Overlook until road crews can repair the road and make it safe for vehicle traffic.
Chisos Basin Campground Temporary Closed due to Bear Activity
August 12, 2022 | 10:06 am
UPDATE 9-12: Campground Reopened The Chisos Basin Campground and Chisos Basin Group Campground in Big Bend National Park are closed to public use until further notice.
New Big Bend Trail Welcomes Hikers
August 5, 2022 | 9:00 am
Park visitors now have an additional opportunity to enjoy the wide-open spaces of Big Bend along a brand new hiking trail. The Lone Mountain Trail now offers a moderately challenging 3-mile loop that circumnavigates the base of Lone Mountain, an imposing feature just north of park headquarters at Panther Junction.
Visitor Fatality on Chimneys Trail
July 22, 2022 | 10:00 am
On the evening of July 21, Big Bend National Park received notice of a fatality along the Chimneys Trail. Rangers responded, and a deceased 75-year-old male from Houston was located approximately ½ mile from the trailhead. There was no obvious cause of death.