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Big Bend National ParkAbove the Window, looking to the west
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Big Bend National Park
Backcountry Regulations
 
You are responsible for protecting the resources of your park; these regulations are enforced.

1. GROUNDFIRES AND WOODFIRES ARE PROHIBITED.
Use only gas stoves or charcoal within a BBQ grill. Pack out all evidence of use. Note: charcoal fires are only allowed at backcountry roadside campsites and not allowed in the High Chisos or zone camping areas.

2. PACK OUT ALL LITTER.
Help preserve the park’s natural beauty by packing out all litter, including cigarette butts and toilet paper.

3. NO PETS ON TRAILS OR IN BACKCOUNTRY.
Pets may harm or be harmed by wildlife, and can attract predators.

4. DO NOT CUT SWITCHBACKS ON TRAILS.
Although cross-country hiking is allowed, help prevent trail erosion by staying on marked trails.

5. COLLECTING ANY NATURAL OR HISTORICAL FEATURE OR OBJECT IS PROHIBITED.
Leave park features intact for others to enjoy.

6. CONTAMINATING NATURAL WATER SOURCES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS IS PROHIBITED. CAMP AT LEAST 100 YARDS FROM ANY WATER SOURCE.
Desert water sources and springs are fragile and vital for the plants and animals that depend on them for survival. Soaps, oils, skin lotions, and food residues from bathing and washing can seriously impact water quality. Minimize your impact to areas surrounding springs, seeps, and other temporal water sources.

7. CAMP WITHIN DESIGNATED SITES.
When camping in a designated site prevent resource damage by camping within the area outlined by rocks, logs, or brush.

8. GENERATOR USE IS NOT PERMITTED IN BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES.
Natural quiet is a protected resource; help preserve a quiet wilderness experience.

9. IN OPEN ZONES, CAMP AT LEAST 1/2 MILE AND OUT OF SIGHT FROM ANY ROAD AND AT LEAST 100 YDS. FROM ANY TRAIL, HISTORICAL STRUCTURE, ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, DRY WASH, OR CLIFF EDGE.
Minimize your impact to the natural landscape.

10. BURY HUMAN WASTE AT LEAST 6 INCHES DEEP. PACK OUT TOILET PAPER.
Human waste is unsightly and unsanitary. Carry a digging trowel. Locate latrines 1/4 mile from any water source and well away from camp.

11. POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, OTHER WEAPONS, AND TRAPS IS PROHIBITED.

12. MOTORIZED VEHICLES & BICYCLES ARE PERMITTED ONLY ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC ROADS.
Off-road vehicle travel causes visual and environmental damage.

13. DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE.
Feeding wildlife is illegal; it often results in having to destroy the animal. Keep food in a hard-sided vehicle or food storage locker where provided. 

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Leave No Trace
Learn more about the Leave No Trace program
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Superintendent's Compendium
The rules you need to know.
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Hikers along the South Rim Trail  

Did You Know?
In Big Bend's first year of operation as a national park (1944), only 1,409 visitors entered the park. In 2005 a record 400,947 visitors entered the park. In recent years annual visitation has averaged around 350,000 annually.
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Last Updated: July 27, 2006 at 22:31 EST