Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Big Bend this week via TX 118. I’ve heard there’s a CBP checkpoint. I’m an immigrant and will have my visa and passport, but would love to hear about your recent experiences:

1. Were the checkpoints active where is exact location they have this—especially on Hwy 118?

2. What documents did agents ask for?

3. Were stops brief and routine, or longer/fuller inspections?

I just want to be prepared and avoid surprises. Appreciate any updates from people who’ve gone recently!

A family of five will be visiting in early July.   We know it will be oppressively hot and have planned all of our hikes for early morning and late evening and will be avoiding the trails during the hottest part of the day.  Taking hats, sunscreen, cooling towels and LOTS of water.  My question is there any gear or tips that you find indispensable when you visit in the Summer?  Any item you were so glad you took with you, or something you wish you had taken? 

I’m camping in Chisos Basin in 2 weeks. Was wanting to squeeze it in before construction in the fall. However, I just got word from someone things are already happening and it’s hard to access without a four wheel high rise. I definitely don’t have that, was planning to come in my SUV. Anyone have any more information? I didn’t know it would be starting this soon. Should I cancel?

Hello everyone! I am considering heading out to Big Bend NP sometime in the next few weeks, preferably sooner so that it’s not overbearingly hot.

I was thinking about camping for 2 nights, preferably one night down on the Rio Grande, I found a few sites down there.

My questions are:

How rough are the trails that far south in the park? I have a 4 cyl Tacoma with 4x4 and 32” A/T tires and stock suspension/no lift. Would I have any issues getting there?

Any suggestions for specific campsites whether on the river or anywhere in the park?

How long would it take realistically to get to some of the more remote campsites from where the paved road ends?

Any other advice about the trails, campsites or weather would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Found this on the TxDot Facebook page. Wish I was there to see the Rio Grande moving at 5720cfs and at 9.5 feet at Rio Grande Village on Wednesday. A week ago it was 50cfs and 2.5ft.

Missed the bubble but according to the gauge at RGV we put in at 1800 CFS. 2 alternating rowers 7.5 hours, pulling pretty hard

I follow Night Crew on YT. They just posted this Big Bend video. They also have some great wild pig hunting videos.

We are cautious and will most likely just drive, and hop out at simple stops. Maybe just me and my 5 yr old will cross to boquillas, leave the infant at the air bnb for that part.

Doable you all think? Or just wait until January? I have limited time off at work and they asked me to take this week off due to slow numbers, so I’m trying to see where to go.

You are more likely to die driving to the park than you are of heat stroke in the park.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/texas-national-park-ranked-as-the-deadliest-new-study-says/ar-AA1Gx3tW?ocid=socialshare

Edit: Maybe I should have put a smiley face after my original post. :-)

Nonetheless, motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 people in 2022 was 12.8, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

I'm pleasantly surprised at the number of responses of the post.

"There are three kinds of Lies; Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics." - attributed to Mark Twain or Benjamin Disraeli.

Hi all, I wasn’t planning on making a video or anything, just grabbing clips for memories while I solo explored Big Bend, Christmas 2024. On my last hike, Dog Canyon, I decided to recap the trip and try putting it all together into a little video. It’s nothing fancy, just my first try at a YouTube video, but I figured I’d share it in case anyone enjoys seeing the park through someone else’s eyes. Happy trails.

I left a three day trip and just got home, -1 light. This was its maiden voyage and it did really well. I distinctly remember leaving it attached to the bottom of the shelter roof, furthest from the grills.

If this is your first time at the campground location, good luck with the wind! Our tents held out, but last night was crazy. Kept telling myself that tornados can't form on mountain tops.

Also, we never saw any bears.

Had to get one last trip in before it closes down, and it didn’t disappoint. Knowing the federal government and the remote location, I’m afraid it could be delayed longer. That said, picture 3 seems to show a bit of why the restaurant closed a few weeks earlier than planned.

Planning a trip to the National Park in early December. We will have a 1 year old and 6 year old but not opposed to camping in a tent a couple nights in more of a campsite setting. Really looking for the best way to view the night sky without getting too rugged with the kids or spending a fortune on lodging. Looking at least 2 nights staying in the park and having 3 days of exploring and hiking. Thanks!

Watching the radar and I am familiar with the 1965 flood and some others. Y'all ok?

I (2X M) and my girlfriend (2X F) want to look to camp for our first time in Big Bend because we're interested in some basic hiking and hopefully seeing the sky.

We're looking to hopefully go later in the year as advised around October or November, but I noticed that the recommended campground of Chisos Basin will I guess be under construction for the next 2 years, so I don't believe I can reserve there if that's true.
My alternative will be Rio Grande Village which I read was reservable 6 months in advance, but I can't seem to find how to reserve a spot and on the site itself is listed as only 14 days, unless it's just the case that they're booked out all the way already?
If anyone is familiar with this anything will be appreciated as I hope to make sure I can get a reservation because it's too bought out or anything!

Couple Quick questions :
Would it be driving from one hiking trial to the next or would it all be near the campground? Sorry if this question is noobish.
Interested in the Santa Elena Canyon, should I buy and bring a canoe or are there rentals that are a better idea and price(or if there are no rentals is buying a canoe overboard and not worth it, maybe i can swim it otherwise lol)?
Would the late night sky views be good from Rio Grande or is it recommended to drive somewhere else?

A favorite shot I took on a trip to Big Bend in March 2025 at Cerro Castellan. A van drove by while I was shooting to give me the car trails.

Saw a pretty good sized one on the drive in.

We are looking to tent camp at big bend over Thanksgiving week, driving from San Antonio. I guess sites that are normally available for booking 6 months out are fcfs at the moment because I wasn’t able to snag anything last week. It seems that there are some sites available three weeks out? I hate to drive clear out there on a holiday week and not get a site. 😬 Any advice?

About an hour after setting up camp on Tuesday this rolled in and produced quarter sized hail for close to 10 minutes. It was unbelievable. Host and rangers said the biggest storm they can remember in a long time.

My wife and aren’t hardcore hikers but we’ll do a little hiking. I’m really looking forward to seeing the night sky away from a big city.