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Big Bend National Park
The Backcountry
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Adam Lewis |
A South Rim sunset is a sublime backcountry experience! |
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Leaving highway 90 at Marathon we came to the Big Bend country toward sunset, that part of Texas where the Rio Grande makes a U-shaped bend in its course. In a lifetime spent in traveling, here I came upon the greatest wonder. The mantle of God touches you; it is what Beethoven reached for in music; it is panorama without beginning or end.
- Ludwig Bemelmans, 1956
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Big Bend's backcountry areas provide excellent opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, driving unpaved roads, and river running. Permits are required for overnight camping, horse use, and for floating the river.
Use the information on the following pages to plan your own backcountry experience in Big Bend!
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| ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) |
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![Will you survive the sun? Will you survive the sun?](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/BIBE_hi_survive-the-sun.jpg) Survive the Sun What you need to know about heat safety more... | | ![Be a better camper-leave no trace Be a better camper-leave no trace](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/BIBE_hi_lnt-butt.jpg) Leave no trace in Big Bend Learn more about the principles of leave no trace camping more... | | ![Trail sign Trail sign](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/BIBE_hi_bc-regs.jpg) Backcountry Regulations These rules help protect you and the backcountry more... | | ![A High Chisos campsite A High Chisos campsite](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/BIBE_hi_bchighchisos.jpg) High Chisos campsites Information on backcountry campsites in the High Chisos. more... | |
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![Dagger Flat at dusk Dagger Flat at dusk](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509140053im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/BIBE_dyk_dagger-flat.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
The Dagger Flat Auto Trail is an eight-mile improved dirt road, open to cars. The road ends in a hidden valley where the giant dagger yuccas grow 15-20 feet high. In March and April of some years, clusters of white flowers weighing up to 70 pounds cap these giants.
more...
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Last Updated: July 08, 2007 at 15:44 EST |