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"South Rim Vista and Claret Cup Cactus, Big Bend National Park, Texas" by NPS Photo/Reine Wonite is licensed under CC0 1.0, this image was edited to better fit this page.

Big Bend National Park

Park News

COVID-19 STATUS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PARK PHASED REOPENING

Face Masks or Coverings Required in Certain Areas Social Distancing Required Visitors Centers, Stores and/or Other Facilities Closed
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If you believe this information is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know by using the link after clicking this box.

COVID-19 STATUS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PARK PHASED REOPENING

If you believe this information is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know here.
So what does "Park Phased Reopening" mean?

According to the U.S. National Park Service, Big Bend National Park is currently working on reopening. This can mean that certain areas are closed. It can include trails, campgrounds, facilities, visitor centers, etc. Visit the source link below for more detailed information regarding this park's status.

What we know:

The below source link has more information about the status of the park. The National Park Service requires everyone at this park, regardless of vaccination status, to continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces, such as narrow/busy trails, overlooks, visitor center patios, & other congested areas.

Face Masks or Coverings Required in Certain Areas

Big Bend National Park is currently requiring masks or face coverings in certain or all areas. Depending on your vaccination status, if you are not fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks after your final vaccination), and according to CDC guidelines, which currently depends on the COVID-19 transmissibility rate in the community in and around the park. Most parks requiring masks indoors have put an alert out (found below in the Alerts section). Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the state of Texas and the local community for more detailed information.

Social Distancing Required

Big Bend National Park is currently requiring everyone to social distance, 6 feet or more, from others. This usually means outside of your immediate group. Some parks may also have size restrictions on gatherings to help assist in social distancing. Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the state of Texas and the local community for more detailed information.

Visitors Centers, Stores and/or Other Facilities Closed

Big Bend National Park currently has visitors centers, stores, or other facilities closed due to Covid-19. It is highly suggested that you bring all the supplies you may need in case a store is closed or shopping is limited due to local communities or the park. Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the state of Texas and the local community for more detailed information.

Last Updated: September 1, 2021
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Park Alerts (4)

***Discover Our Parks, LLC takes no responsability in the accuracy of these alerts, which are taken directly from NPS.gov, and we provide them for informational purposes only. Please refer to NPS.gov for more information.

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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.

  • Chisos Mountain Trails to Reopen

    May 21, 2021 | 7:00 am

    With the 1341-acre South Rim Fire declared out over most of the Chisos Mountains, park visitors will soon be able to again enjoy many popular trails and backpacking campsites. On Monday, May 24th, trails will open for day hiking and exploration. Backpacking campsites to reopen on June 1st.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Increased Reservations for Big Bend Campgrounds

    April 23, 2021 | 8:18 am

    With record visitation comes increased demand for campsites. To reduce the frustration of driving all the way to Big Bend, only to find that all campground sites are full, the National Park Service will be increasing the number of Big Bend campsites available for advanced reservations online.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Chisos Basin to Reopen Friday, April 23

    April 20, 2021 | 12:00 pm

    With the 1341 acre South Rim Fire at 80% containment and no longer deemed a threat to developed areas, the NPS has scheduled the reopening of the park’s popular Chisos Basin area on Friday, April 23rd at 11:00 AM.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • South Rim Firefighters Continue to Make Progress

    April 18, 2021 | 7:00 am

    Hotspots remain in Boot Canyon and Juniper Canyon areas, but the size of the South Rim Fire continues to hold at 1,341 acres with containment at 60%. Hotshot crews will demobilize today, but the Diablos will remain on the scene. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire area and aid with rehabilitation of damaged areas. Bucket drops by helicopter will continue as needed.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Big Bend Fire Suppression Evolves to Repair

    April 17, 2021 | 8:01 am

    With increased success in fire containment and no growth in fire acreage, firefighters at Big Bend National Park have changed the focus from fire suppression to rehabilitation of damaged areas and repair.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Firefighters Aided by Weather

    April 16, 2021 | 8:00 am

    An increase in cooler temperatures and higher humidity has significantly paused growth of the South Rim 4 fire over the past 24 hours to 1341 acres and 60% containment. Because there are no control lines in the rocky country, it will take at least several days of monitoring and “cold trailing” to check for hot spots, to increase further containment numbers.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Weather Change for the South Rim Fire

    April 13, 2021 | 8:00 am

    Firefighters working the South Rim Fire will be assisted today with cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and the arrival of additional resources. After burning for six days, the South Rim Fire has grown to 873 acres and extended across the summit plateau of Toll Mountain. Several fingers of active burning continue in lower Boot Canyon, Juniper Canyon, and the high ridges of Toll Mountain.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • South Rim Fire Hits 860 Acres

    April 12, 2021 | 9:00 am

    After burning for five days, the South Rim Fire has grown to 863 acres and extended through much of the “sky island” of the high Chisos Mountains. Aerial reconnaissance observed that the fire has left a patchy mosaic of scorched, burned, slightly singed, and untouched areas across the South Rim to Emory Peak, and into the lower Boot Canyon drainage.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • South Rim Fire Reaches Emory Peak

    April 11, 2021 | 8:00 am

    The South Rim Fire has continued to burn through the woodlands of the Chisos Mountains, creating plumes of smoke visible throughout the park. For visitor safety, the Chisos Mountains area of the park, including the road, campground, lodge, and trails will remain closed until further notice. This includes the popular Window and Lost Mine Trails.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • South Rim Fire Update

    April 10, 2021 | 7:00 am

    Firefighters working the South Rim Fire faced strong westerly winds and red-flag fire conditions throughout the day yesterday. Weather forecasts for today show much promise. The current fire size estimate is 600 acres.

    Read more at nps.gov

data source: nps.gov/bibe/learn/news/newsreleases.htm
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