Information:

Big Bend National Park is an American national park located in West Texas, bordering Mexico. Big Bend is one of the largest, most remote, and one of the least-visited national parks in the contiguous United States. The park has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States, and was named after a large bend in the Rio Grande/Río Bravo. The park protects more than 1,200 species of plants, more than 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals.

The area has a rich cultural history, from archeological sites dating back nearly 10,000 years to more recent pioneers, ranchers, and miners. The Chisos Mountains are located in the park, and are the only mountain range in the United States to be fully contained within the boundary of a national park. Geological features in the park include sea fossils and dinosaur bones, as well as volcanic dikes.

The park encompasses an area of 801,163 acres, entirely within Brewster County. The Rio Grande/Río Bravo forms the boundary between Mexico and the United States, and Big Bend National Park administers approximately 118 miles (190 km) along that boundary. The park is bordered by the protected areas of Cañón de Santa Elena and Maderas del Carmen in Mexico.

Climate:

The park exhibits dramatic contrasts and its climate may be characterized as one of extremes. Dry and hot late spring and summer days often exceed 100 °F (38 °C) in the lower elevations. Winters are normally mild but subfreezing temperatures occasionally occur. Because of the range in altitude from about 1,800 feet (550 m) along the river to Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains at 7,832 feet (2,387 m), a wide variation in available moisture and temperature exists throughout the park.

Trails:

Big Bend's primary attraction is its hiking and backpacking trails. Particularly notable among these are the Chimneys Trail, which visits a rock formation in the desert; the Marufo Vega trail, a loop trail that passes through scenic canyons on the way to and from the Rio Grande; the South Rim trail which circles the high mountains of the Chisos; and the Outer Mountain Loop trail in the Chisos, which incorporates parts of the South Rim loop, descends into the desert along the Dodson Trail, and then returns to the Chisos Basin, completing a 30-mile loop. Other notable locations include Santa Elena Canyon, Grapevine Hills, and the Mule Ears, two imposing rock towers in the middle of the desert.

Animals:

Big Bend is home to almost 600 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Thanks to the Rio Grande, fish thrive in this environment, and despite being a desert, there is an amazing diversity to be found here.

Birds - with more than 450 species of birds recorded in the park, a widely popular activity is birdwatching. Many species stop in the park during their annual migrations. Eight basic land-cover types occur at the park. In order of predominance, they are desert shrubland, igneous grassland, limestone grassland, riparian vegetation, montane woodland, bare ground, developed areas, and surface water.

Black Bears - it is estimated to be around 20 to 30 black bears in the park. A black bear's normal diet consists largely of nuts, fruits, sotol and yucca hearts. They also eat small mammals, reptiles, and carrion. Bears normally avoid humans, but can become aggressive if they learn to take food from human sources.

Mountain Lions - solitary and secretive, the mountain lion is Big Bend's top predator and is vital in maintaining the park's biological diversity. Mountain lions live throughout the park from mountain to desert. There are an estimated two dozen lions living in the park. Everywhere in Big Bend, you are in the territory of at least one mountain lion.  

Javelina - Javelina are covered with black, bristly hairs, and weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. They are only found in the U.S. in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. They usually travel in bands of 10 to 25 individuals. Javelinas have a highly developed sense of smell, but poor vision.

Coyotes - There is nothing more wild in Big Bend than the song of a coyote. Their vocalizations range from yips to mournful howls. Their narrow set eyes and long snout may seem intimidating, but in general, coyotes do not bother humans.

Rattlesnakes - Four species of rattlesnake line in Big Bend - the western diamondback, Mojave, blacktailed, and rock rattlesnakes.

This often feared reptile is beneficial to the environment, eating mice, rats, and other small animals. They themselves are often a meal for roadrunners, skunks, coyotes and even other snakes.  

The buzz of a rattlesnake is an unmistakable sound that will stop you in your tracks. They use this warning when they perceive a threat. Continue towards them and you risk provoking a self-defense bite. So keep those headphones off!

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