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Big Bend National ParkVolcanic tuff near Castolon
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Big Bend National Park
Natural Features & Ecosystems
 
desert scene
NPS/Big Bend National Park
This present-day scene shows the desert landscapes for which the park is famous; this land also holds evidence of ancient swamps and fossils.
 
When Big Bend was chosen to become a national park it was the biological and geologic diversity here that  helped sway policy makers.

The scenery found in Big Bend is unmatched elsewhere in Texas. We encourage park visitors to enjoy sunsets from scenic vistas, soak their tired bones in the hot springs, and explore Big Bend's geologic history.  
Preparing to remove fossils
Saving the Alamosaurus
Learn more about the recovery of a dinosaur fossil in Big Bend.
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Desert vegetation
Chihuahuan Desert Network
Learn more about inventory and monitoring programs in Chihuahuan Desert Parks, including Big Bend.
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Burro Mesa  

Did You Know?
Burro Mesa, named for the herds of wild burros that once grazed there, is one of the structurally low sunken fault blocks in the Park. The highest lava unit on Burro Mesa is the same lava that caps Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains inside Big Bend National Park.
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Last Updated: July 29, 2007 at 17:04 EST