When it's busy, it's really busy
Big Bend's "busy" season is generally from November through April. However, the park is often full to capacity for six weeks each year: Thanksgiving week, Christmas/New Years, and the Spring Break season during the middle weeks of March. These extra-busy periods can often be frustrating to visitors, as lodging and camping both in the park and outside of it are often fully booked. In order to maximize your visit, it is best to plan ahead and have alternatives.
The information on this page is intended to help you plan ahead for a trip to Big Bend at one of these busy times. If you have questions or comments related to the information presented here, please email us!
Lodging and Camping Resources The resource in shortest supply in Big Bend during a peak period is camping and lodging. The demand for campsites and overnight lodging WILL be far greater than the number of campsites and rooms available within the park. Once the developed campgrounds and designated backcountry campsites are full, the only other camping option in the park will be backpacking in remote desert areas away from roads and trails. Advance reservations for camping & lodging (when possible) are highly recommended.
Backcountry Tips
The peak periods occur at times of year when Big Bend's immense backcountry is more comfortable to access (largely due to cooler weather). While the backcountry offers nearly limitless opportunities, it also provides greater challenges; backcountry campsites offer few immenities, and the desert backcountry environment can severely test the unprepared.
During these busy periods a Backcountry Permit Office is opened in the back of the Panther Junction Visitor Center to deal with the high demand for back country permits. Upcoming scheduled persiod for the bacountry permit office are:
Spring Break 2008
Due to on-going construction, all Panther Junction Visitor Center operations will be housed in the temporary facility this spring. Allow extra time when obtaining backcountry permits.
A backcountry expedition of any type is aided by advance planning; the park website contains extensive resources:
Did You Know?
Extirpated by hunting in the 1930s, the black bear returned naturally to Big Bend National Park in the late 1980s. Today the Chisos Mountains are home to a population of 12-15 black bear.
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