Big Bend National Park Activity and Calendar Guide
Welcome to the Big Bend National Park Activity and Calendar Guide.
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
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Visitor Centers
Visitor centers are located at: Castolon, Chisos Basin, Panther Junction, Persimmon Gap and Rio Grande Village. Chisos Basin and Panther Junction are open year round.
| Facility | Dates Opened | Hours | Location | Available Facilities |
| Castolon | Seasonal | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily | Southwest corner of the park - 35 miles from Panther Junction | |
| Chisos Basin | All Year | 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily Closed for Lunch |
Central area of park - 9 miles from Panther Junction / 35 miles from North Entrance | Information is available and books, maps, restrooms, water, phones, etc. |
| Panther Junction | All Year | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily Closed on Christmas & New Years |
Central area of the park - 26 miles from the North Entrance | A short orientation program is shown in the auditorium. Information is available and books, maps, restrooms, water, phones, etc. |
| Persimmon Gap | Seasonal | 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily Thu 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Closed for Lunch |
At the North Entrance | |
| Rio Grande Village | Seasonal | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily | Southeast corner of the park - 20 miles from Panther Junction |
Special Events and Programs
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.
Junior Ranger Program
As in other National Parks, Big Bend has a Junior Ranger Program for youth ages six through eleven. The Junior Ranger Program really helps the youth get the most out of their visit to a National Park and to become involved as an official Junior Ranger and earn their patch.
The Big Bend Junior Ranger program is designed for kids of all ages. Through activities, games, and puzzles, kids can have fun as they learn about the park. They can also earn stickers, badges, patches, and certificates.
How does it work?
Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Booklet at any park visitor center. They cost $ 1.00. Complete the appropriate activities for your age group (listed inside) and return the booklet to any visitor center.
When your booklet is completed you will receive:
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A Junior Ranger Badge or a Junior Ranger
Patch
A Park Sticker
A Big Bend Wildlife Bookmark
An official Junior Ranger Certificate to frame and enjoy
Ranger Activities
Ranger / Naturalist programs include scheduled talks, walks and evening campfire programs by rangers. Nature walks, workshops, and evening slide programs are provided by park naturalists year-round. Several programs per day are offered November to April, fewer programs are offered in summer. Check park bulletin boards and visitor centers for the current weekly program schedule.
The Division of Interpretation and Visitor Services offers guided Ranger Programs throughout the year at Big Bend National Park. Join a ranger for a free guided walk, talk, or evening slide show. Attending a ranger program will enhance your understanding and appreciation of Big Bend. Schedules change weekly.
| Activity | Length | Description |
| 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. |
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