Big Bend National Park

Latest Stories

Exploration & Survival

The Feds Just Pressed Pause on the Big Bend Border Construction. Here’s What to Know.

An explainer of the political machinations that prompted the Customs and Border Protection agency to disrupt the construction of border roads and barriers inside Texas’ Big Bend National Park.

Frederick DreierAugust 19, 2026

Environment

Bulldozers Just Arrived in Big Bend. Locals Fear a Border Wall Could Cut Off Public Lands.

Photos show that heavy machinery has broken ground along the Rio Grande inside Big Bend National Park. Local outfitters fear a loss of public river access and devastating effects to the outdoor recreation economy.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 11, 2026

Environment

The Threat of a Border Wall in Big Bend Won’t Go Away. Former NPS Leaders Are Raising the Alarm.

Former leaders of Big Bend National Park and more than a dozen lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to reconsider a border wall through one of America’s most remote national parks.

Gabrielle SaulsberyJune 17, 2026

Environment

Big Bend’s Border Wall Is Dead—for Now.

In the most remote corners of the Chihuahuan Desert, federal officials say they are now betting that vertical limestone walls and cutting-edge surveillance will be more effective—and sustainable—than a physical fence.

Owen ClarkeMay 15, 2026

Environment

Even Texas Border Sheriffs Are Questioning a Wall Through Big Bend

A group of Texas border sheriffs wrote a letter of opposition in response to a proposed wall through Big Bend National Park. Big Bend represents just one portion of the nearly 2,000-mile wall slated to extend across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Madison DapcevichMarch 10, 2026

Environment

The Trump Administration Plans to Build a Border Wall Through This National Park

Federal documents show that the Department of Homeland Security signed waivers for 28 environmental laws to expedite construction of a Smart Wall within one of America's wildest national parks.

Owen ClarkeFebruary 20, 2026

Environment

A Water Crisis Is Unfolding Inside One of America's Largest National Parks

Water issues across national parks have been wreaking havoc on visitor experiences, and continue to shut down facilities at some of the United States’ most coveted public lands.

Madison DapcevichFebruary 3, 2026

Destinations

Almost Heaven: The 10 Places With the Darkest Skies in the U.S. for Stargazing

If you're hoping to see thousands of stars, planets, star clusters, meteors, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Milky Way, we’ve got you covered at these stunning spots

Julia DuinJuly 1, 2025

Drinks

The Beer Drinker’s Guide to Big Bend National Park

Discover the best adventures—and places to celebrate them—in this remote and wild Texas park

Elisabeth Kwak-HefferanJune 2, 2025

North America

The 12 Coolest Mountain-Town Airbnbs in the U.S.

Sleep in style, and close to the trailhead and slopes, at these jaw-dropping adventure base camps

Stephanie VermillionJuly 2, 2025

National Parks

I Visited All 63 National Parks. This Was My Absolute Favorite.

People often ask me which park I liked the most. My answer surprises them.

Emily PenningtonJune 12, 2025

Snow Sports

Experience the Magic of Big Bend Country

In West Texas, the vast landscape serves up a whole new level of adventure

September 12, 2024

North America

Where to Find the Darkest Skies in North America for Aurora Hunting and Stargazing

You’ll be counting stars and catching the Northern Lights at these one-of-a-kind dark-sky retreats

Stephanie VermillionOctober 7, 2024

National Parks

25 Easy, Scenic National-Park Hikes Under 5 Miles

Panoramas, waterfalls, and other natural wonders await you on these quick, rewarding routes chosen by our national-parks expert

Emily PenningtonJanuary 10, 2025

National Parks

The 9 Best Gateway Towns to U.S. National Parks

Our parks expert found the coolest small towns to stay in next door to U.S. national parks. You’re welcome.

Graham AverillApril 8, 2024

National Parks

The 9 Most Dangerous Animals in Our National Parks—and the Best Ways to Stay Safe

National parks protect our land and a wide variety of wildlife, many of them dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are the animals and reptiles to look out for and the best ways to keep you—and them—safe.

Graham AverillMarch 28, 2023

National Parks

Subpar Parks Makes Art Out of Hilariously Bad National Park Reviews

Too many rocks? Not enough people? Illustrator Amber Share says bring it on.

Abigail WiseApril 24, 2024

Environment

A Visitor to Big Bend Damaged a 5,000-Year-Old Petroglyph Forever

The incident in December is the latest incident of vandalism to ancient Native artifacts

Adam RoyJanuary 12, 2022

National Parks

How to Take a Train to All the Best National Parks

Visit 12 of America’s best-loved national parks on this cross-country national-park train loop

Stephanie VermillionJuly 22, 2024

National Parks

Add Big Bend to Your Bucket List

Separated from Mexico by the Rio Grande, Big Bend is a stunning national park in Texas with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, javelinas, and hot springs. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's sixth stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.

Emily PenningtonApril 15, 2020

Big Bend National Park

Latest Stories

The Feds Just Pressed Pause on the Big Bend Border Construction. Here’s What to Know.

Bulldozers Just Arrived in Big Bend. Locals Fear a Border Wall Could Cut Off Public Lands.

The Threat of a Border Wall in Big Bend Won’t Go Away. Former NPS Leaders Are Raising the Alarm.

Big Bend’s Border Wall Is Dead—for Now.

Even Texas Border Sheriffs Are Questioning a Wall Through Big Bend

The Trump Administration Plans to Build a Border Wall Through This National Park

A Water Crisis Is Unfolding Inside One of America's Largest National Parks

Almost Heaven: The 10 Places With the Darkest Skies in the U.S. for Stargazing

The Beer Drinker’s Guide to Big Bend National Park

The 12 Coolest Mountain-Town Airbnbs in the U.S.

I Visited All 63 National Parks. This Was My Absolute Favorite.

Experience the Magic of Big Bend Country

Where to Find the Darkest Skies in North America for Aurora Hunting and Stargazing

25 Easy, Scenic National-Park Hikes Under 5 Miles

The 9 Best Gateway Towns to U.S. National Parks

The 9 Most Dangerous Animals in Our National Parks—and the Best Ways to Stay Safe

Subpar Parks Makes Art Out of Hilariously Bad National Park Reviews

A Visitor to Big Bend Damaged a 5,000-Year-Old Petroglyph Forever

How to Take a Train to All the Best National Parks

Add Big Bend to Your Bucket List

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