Massive Bend Nationwide Park is likely one of the most distant Nationwide Parks in the US. It lies within the coronary heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, stretching throughout West Texas on the border of the USA and Mexico.
I’d heard quite a lot of nice issues about Massive Bend earlier than I visited, however I wasn’t fairly ready for its magnificence and remoteness. Between the spectacular Chisos Mountains, the towering canyon partitions of the Rio Grande River, and its wealthy organic range, Massive Bend Nationwide Park left me in awe.
As a result of Massive Bend is so distant and expansive, although, I spent extra time planning my journey than I sometimes do after I go to Nationwide Parks. I needed to ensure I made probably the most of my week there.
I’m so glad I did as a result of the sheer measurement of the park is a bit overwhelming! That can assist you plan your journey to Massive Bend Nationwide Park, I’ve put collectively this information based mostly on what I discovered and skilled so you possibly can profit from your Massive Bend Nationwide Park journey.
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Attending to Massive Bend Nationwide Park
Should you have a look at a map you’ll see that Massive Bend is positioned in a really distant a part of West Texas. The closest main metropolis is El Paso, which is 4.5 hours away by automobile! There isn’t a public transportation to or inside Massive Bend Nationwide Park, so that you’ll must drive your self.
Flying in
Should you’re flying in, I like to recommend the El Paso airport. It’s not the closest one (Midland/Odessa is barely nearer), however it’ll have higher flight choices and you may simply lease a automobile in El Paso.
Driving to Massive Bend
Irrespective of the place you’re coming from, attending to Massive Bend Nationwide Park isn’t fast or simple. This was truly one of many greatest issues that stunned me – it’s a very distant park! Right here are some things I discovered from my drive to Massive Bend:
A visit to Massive Bend Nationwide Park requires quite a lot of preparation – however the remoteness of the park is strictly why it needs to be in your record of locations to go to!
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When to Go to Massive Bend Nationwide Park
Spring
Spring, in my view, is one of the best time to go to Massive Bend Nationwide Park. I visited in April and the temperatures had been delicate and sunshine was plentiful. I additionally obtained to see the desert in bloom with stunning spring wildflowers.
However, spring can be the busiest time of 12 months in Massive Bend. March is the most well-liked month to go to, so preserve that in thoughts when planning your tip. I did share the paths with a couple of different hikers throughout my go to within the spring, however Massive Bend is certainly not as busy because the extra fashionable Nationwide Parks like Yosemite and Grand Tetons.
Summer season
Massive Bend Nationwide Park is open year-round, nonetheless, as you might need guessed, summer season is just not one of the best time to go to. Summer season temps may be above 100 levels on the desert ground.
That being stated, the Chisos Mountains are sometimes 10-20 levels cooler, so in the event you do go to throughout the summer season I like to recommend sticking to the upper elevations to keep away from excessive warmth.
One other factor to bear in mind is that Might-September is the wet season. Massive Bend can expertise intense thunderstorms and flash floods, so preserve your eye on the forecast earlier than you go to.
Fall
Fall can be time to go to Massive Bend. The temperatures begin to settle down round late September after the summer season warmth and if it’s been a wet summer season, areas of the park will likely be inexperienced and delightful.
Winter
Winter is considered one of my favourite occasions of the 12 months to go to Nationwide Parks. Sometimes crowds are method fewer and I benefit from the quiet and peacefulness of the low season. Massive Bend is a good Nationwide Park to go to between December and February. The daytime temperatures are sometimes fairly delicate (within the 60s) whereas at night time the temps can drop under freezing (one thing to contemplate if you’re tenting).
Snow is uncommon in Massive Bend, however that being stated, there have been two giant snowstorms in 2021 that shut down the park for a number of days.
The Format of the Park
As I used to be doing analysis on Massive Bend and planning out my journey, I noticed how massive the park is! Massive Bend Nationwide Park covers over 800,000 sq. miles. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Boquillas Canyon on the east facet to Santa Elena Canyon on the west facet. Chisos Basin sits nearly instantly within the center.
So, if you’re planning out your journey, I like to recommend selecting your actions and tenting or lodging based mostly on every area of the park. That method you possibly can minimize down on driving. In case you have restricted time, I preferred Chisos Basin and Santa Elena Canyon one of the best – you might skip Boquillas Canyon if you’re brief on time.
The place to Keep
There are a number of choices for the place to remain in Massive Bend together with tenting and lodges. I do suggest making a plan forward of time, although – over the previous couple of years, Massive Bend has turn out to be more and more fashionable and campsites do e book out.
Massive Bend Nationwide Park Tenting
There are 4 established campgrounds positioned inside Massive Bend Nationwide Park. There are additionally primitive backcountry dispersed tenting spots and several other tenting choices exterior the park.
Campgrounds inside Massive Bend Nationwide Park
All established campgrounds require superior reservations that may be made as much as 6 months upfront. There isn’t a first come, first serve tenting in Massive Bend’s established campgrounds.
- Chisos Basin Campground: that is probably the most centrally positioned campground within the park, nonetheless trailers over 20’ and RVs over 24’ usually are not really useful as a result of the highway is slim and campsites are small. No hookups can be found at Chisos Basin Campground, however there are flush bogs, water, grills, and a dump station.
- Rio Grande Village Campground: positioned on the far east facet of the park, this campground is ready alongside the Rio Grande River amongst a big grove of timber. There are flush bogs, water, grills, and a camp retailer with a fuel station, showers, and a laundromat connected.
- Rio Grande Village RV Park: That is the one campground with full hookups in Massive Bend. Websites can be found by telephone reservation solely (432-477-2293). Websites are positioned in a paved lot subsequent to the camp retailer (and adjoining to the campground). Pets are allowed however have to be leashed always.
- Cottonwood Campground: positioned on the far west facet of the park, this campground is a quiet, desert oasis close to the favored Santa Elena Canyon. That is probably the most distant campground within the park with no hookups, no dump station, and no turbines allowed. Pit bogs, grills, and water can be found at this campground.
Dispersed Tenting in Massive Bend Nationwide Park
Massive Bend gives the distinctive choice to automobile camp at primitive roadside spots or you possibly can go away your automobile behind and backpack into the desert wilderness to camp.
Primitive roadside spots are positioned on backcountry roads – most require a car with good clearance and/or 4×4. I drive a 2WD Ford van and had no points attending to my roadside spot. The ranger on the Customer Middle was in a position to assist me decide a web site that might accommodate my van.
Roadside websites are small, flat gravel patches with no bogs, water, shade, or different facilities, however they provide superb views and whole solitude within the park. Should you plan to disperse camp in Massive Bend Nationwide Park, please be aware you will want to pack out all trash, know tips on how to correctly go to the toilet exterior, and Depart No Hint.
A $10/night time allow is required for all primitive roadside and backcountry tenting websites. Most websites may be reserved on-line as much as 6 months upfront right here. There are a handful of roadside websites which might be solely accessible to e book in-person at both Panther Junction or Chisos Basin Customer Middle. I selected this feature throughout my journey and was in a position to safe a spot by arriving at opening time (8:30am). This isn’t all the time the case, although, particularly on weekends or anytime throughout the busy season.
Tenting Exterior of Massive Bend Nationwide Park
In case you are unable to safe a campsite inside Massive Bend Nationwide Park, Massive Bend Ranch State Park is shut by and has a handful of campgrounds. I stayed right here on my method out of the Nationwide Park and the campground I selected was almost empty on a Saturday night time.
Terlingua, Research Butte, and Lajitas additionally supply non-public campgrounds inside an hour exterior the park. A roundup of all lodging/tenting choices exterior of Massive Bend Nationwide Park may be discovered right here.
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Massive Bend Nationwide Park Lodging
Chisos Mountain Lodge
There is just one resort in Massive Bend Nationwide Park – the Chisos Mountain Lodge. It’s a reasonably fundamental resort (nothing fancy), however it does have nice views and good entry to mountaineering trails within the Chisos Mountains.
Situated within the coronary heart of the park at 5,400ft elevation, Chisos Mountain Lodge gives quite a lot of rooms and cottages with 360-degree mountain views. As the one non-camping possibility within the park, reservations are extraordinarily restricted and it’s worthwhile to e book effectively upfront.
Motels in Terlingua
Terlingua is a small city positioned about an hour from the park that has the largest lodging choice exterior of the park. Terlingua is a widely known ghost city with a real outdated Western really feel – I like to recommend checking it out whether or not or not you propose to remain there.
The Starlight Theatre is a well-known native watering gap recognized for its annual chili cookoff and frequent dwell music, and Espresso y Poco Mas is a good breakfast spot.
Finest issues to do in Massive Bend Nationwide Park
I had a good time exploring all that Massive Bend Nationwide Park has to supply. There are lots of of miles of mountaineering trails, paddling alternatives on the Rio Grande River, scenic drives, and historic landmarks to go to – it really has one thing for everybody!
Go mountaineering
Massive Bend Nationwide Park has three distinct mountaineering areas: desert, mountains, and river. Elevation modifications between these areas imply that you could select your individual journey based mostly on what terrain you favor or what season you’re visiting.
Trails within the park vary from brief, paved paths which might be underneath a mile to full-day – and even multi-day hikes.
My favourite hikes had been:
For more information on these hikes plus different path choices, head to our full roundup of the finest hikes in Massive Bend Nationwide Park.
Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
This 30-mile drive was one of many highlights of my journey. It showcases nice views of the Chisos mountains and the huge Chihuahuan desert and ends on the stunning Santa Elena Canyon. There are a number of overlooks alongside the highway the place I used to be in a position to cease and get out for a hike.
In case you are up for journey and have a car with good clearance, take into account taking Outdated Maverick Highway again to the Western Park entrance. This highway is just 14 miles however plan on a one-hour drive as a result of it’s fairly bumpy!
Go to Mexico through the Boquillas Crossing
Massive Bend is the one Nationwide Park with a Port of Entry location. In case you have a legitimate passport, you possibly can go to the small city of Boquillas, Mexico throughout your journey to Massive Bend. The border crossing is positioned on the east facet of the park, near Boquillas Canyon.
You may cross by rowboat ($5/individual roundtrip) or by wading via the river if the water stage is low sufficient. There are lots of eating places, meals stalls, and distributors promoting native handicrafts. I didn’t have time to go to Boquillas, however it’s such a singular alternative to do whereas visiting a Nationwide Park, and I can’t wait to return to test it out.
Tip: US forex is accepted in Boquillas so no must alternate cash forward of time.
Paddle the Rio Grande River
Guided or self-guided journeys on the Rio Grande River are a good way to see Massive Bend Nationwide Park from a distinct perspective. The river marks the border between the US and Mexico and you may select floats from half-day to multi-day excursions. Should you plan to do an unbiased river journey, be sure you learn the regulation and allow info.
Go to the Scorching Springs Historic District
Situated alongside the Rio Grande on the east facet of the park, the Scorching Springs Historic District is a step again in time. Right here, you possibly can see and study concerning the human historical past of the world courting again 1000’s of years.
I loved rock artwork on the limestone cliffs, studying concerning the Langford household that inhabited the world within the early 1900s, and soaking in pure sizzling springs that move proper subsequent to the river.
Security Ideas for Visiting Massive Bend
As a result of Massive Bend Nationwide Park is so distant and has a harsh desert local weather, it’s essential to be ready to your journey. I made positive to replenish on all the things I wanted earlier than I made my method into the park.
Listed here are a couple of security suggestions to bear in mind when planning your journey:
Massive Bend Nationwide Park FAQs
Entry into Massive Bend Nationwide Park is $30 per car. This go is legitimate for 7 days. Should you’ll be visiting extra Nationwide Parks all year long, I like to recommend getting the Annual Nationwide Parks Cross which, for $80, provides you entry to all Nationwide Parks across the US.
Tenting charges differ relying on the campground.
Cell service is fairly spotty in Massive Bend Nationwide Park. Areas the place there may be dependable service are the Chisos Basin space and Panther Junction.
That will depend on how a lot you need to see and do! I like to recommend spending at the least three days exploring Massive Bend. If you wish to actually get to know the park or to exit on a multi-day tour, 5-7 days is right.
Sure, Massive Bend is open year-round. Nonetheless, summers may be extraordinarily sizzling.
Extra Southwest Nationwide Parks
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Have you ever been to Massive Bend Nationwide Park or are you planning a visit there? Share your questions, feedback, and experiences within the feedback under!
