The Big Bend National Park, located along the Texas-Mexico border, encompasses the beauty of rivers, deserts, and mountains all in one location. And the drive to the park is pretty spectacular as well — a two lane highway winding around imposing mesas, climbing and falling with the terrain’s elevation.
If you are driving yourself to Big Bend, keep in mind that gas stations in western Texas may be few and far between. And this is especially true once you’ve turned off I-10 and are traveling down US-385. The thought of running out of gas and being stranded on the roadside with limited cell service was enough motivation for me to stop for gas any time the gauge was below half a tank.
Once inside Big Bend, and probably even before you get to the entrance gates, you’ll start to see some of the famed local wildlife. And I don’t mean the large predators. Think smaller. Not only do the road runners cross the road, but also the scorpions and tarantulas! Black bears, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions also roam the park, but I did not see any during my trip. And to be honest, I was very thankful for that. It’s one thing to see a predator from the relative safety of your car. But it is something else entirely to stumble upon, or more likely, be stumbled upon by a lion or bear while hiking. However, the park rangers at the visitor centers have plenty of information and guidance for wildlife encounters, to keep you safe.
If you visit during the summer months, be sure to pack plenty of water. Even in the fall, the desert plains get pretty warm. I made a trip to Big Bend in October, and the temperatures in the park differed dramatically depending on your elevation. Along the river, it was around 90 degrees (fahrenheit), but up in the mountains the temperature dropped by almost 20 degrees. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout the expansive park, as well as scenic lookout points for those who do not wish to trek too far into nature. And, with easy access to the Rio Grande, there is also the option to take in the scenic landscape by water, paddling through the canyons.
While I was stopped at one of the scenic views overlooking the Rio Grande, I noticed a wooden canoe resting along the opposite bank of the river. Looking around the open area I was standing in, I then noticed a small space on the ground dedicated to a variety of palm sized metal sculptures of animals. Only then did it occur to me that perhaps the canoe across the river and the entrepreneurial souvenir stop were connected. And sure enough, when I wandered back to the edge of the cliff to watch the river currents, it was clear that I had been spotted by the owner of the canoe. A distant figure hopped into his canoe and paddled the length to the other bank. Must be an exhausting commute, paddling back and forth all day long.
