Big Bend National Park - Frequently Asked Questions about park details (U.S. National Park Service)

Below are commonly asked questions regarding the park. Please contact us, or look elsewhere on the website if your question is not answered here.

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Where do I pay my park fee? Do I have to pay a fee? How much is the fee?
How far is it to ________?
How many visitors come to Big Bend each year?
Is Big Bend the largest national park?
When did Big Bend become a park?
When is the busy season in Big Bend?
How many people work in Big Bend National Park?

Where do I pay my park fee? Do I have to pay a fee? How much is the fee?
Most people do have to pay a park entrance fee, unless they have a one of a variety of entrance passes. The fee is $20.00 per single vehicle per week, and can be paid at the Maverick Entrance Station, the Persimmon Gap Entrance Station, the Panther Junction Visitor Center, or any open outlying visitor center. Commercial Tour Fees apply to all commercial groups entering the park.
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How far is it to ________?
From park headquarters at Panther Junction:
Chisos Basin is 10 miles
Rio Grande Village is 20 miles
Santa Elena Canyon is 42 miles
Study Butte is 26 miles
Lajitas is 42 miles
Marathon is 68 miles
Alpine is 100 miles
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How many visitors come to Big Bend each year?
In the past few years, Big Bend has had 300,000 to 350,000 visitors each year on average.
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Is Big Bend the largest national park?
No, many are larger. Big Bend is the 8th largest national park in the lower 48 states, and only the 15th largest in the entire U.S. Click here for a list of the 20 largest national parks.
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When did Big Bend become a park?
Big Bend National Park was authorized by the U.S. Congress on June 20, 1935, and established as the 27th national park in the U.S. (and the first national park in Texas) on June 12, 1944. more...
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When is the busy season in Big Bend?
Spring is our busiest - during March and April and sometimes into May when the Texas colleges and universities are on spring break. Thanksgiving and Christmas can be extremely busy, also. Plan ahead and make lodging reservations early if you plan to visit Big Bend during any holiday period. While you can now make reservations for campgrounds in the park, there are also camping options outside of the park that may take reservations.
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How many people work in Big Bend National Park?
When all the positions are filled, there are about 96 permanent National Park Service (NPS) employees in Big Bend. Depending on the season and the budget, we can have from 10-20 seasonal and temporary employees. In addition, we have many volunteers and Student Conservation Association interns who add to our staff, particularly in winter.

Forever Resorts, Inc. employees about 60 employees (more during peak periods) who work in the lodge, restaurant, gas station and stores in the park. The Big Bend Natural History Association (BBNHA) employs four people. A postmaster, U.S. Border Patrol agents, and several school teachers also live and work in Big Bend.
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