Big-Little Big Bend

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Details: Created on Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:24; Published on Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:24; Written by Abe Connally

Did you know that Big Bend is not the largest National Park in the US? And yet this “Small” Big Bend has some huge features that make it well worth a visit. Let’s look at a few interesting facts about big-little Big Bend. How many of these things did you already know?

boquillas_canyon_from_above This “little” national park encompasses 1,253 square miles. That’s over 800,000 acres! But still, if you gathered together all of last year’s 374,640 visitors and put them all in the park at the same time, there’d still be room left to spare. What’s most interesting about the size of Big Bend is the fact that in this one park we find several distinct geographic regions. So whether you like mountains, rivers, canyons, forest, desert or open fields, you’re likely to find something to your liking inside Big Bend.

What about the variety of animals in the park? Black bears were recently in the spotlight on this blog, and there are plenty of bear sightings in Big Bend, but technically the black bear is just one of the 75 species of mammals common to the park. That doesn’t include the whopping 450 kinds of birds or 50 kinds of reptiles.

And what do all of these animals eat? While some animals eat other animals, like the 20 different species of bat scooping up some insects, there is also a great variety of plant life for them—and us—to enjoy. There are over 1,200 species of plants in the park, and many of them will start to look greener if the recent rain continues (as the weather report says it will).

So, in this “little” park we call Big Bend, you’ll find a variety of geographic regions, animals, and plants. Once inside the protected land, you’ll swear that you’ve traveled to another world!

Interested in seeing Big-Little Big Bend for yourself? These Summer Discounts can help!

Worth a Thousand Words

There are some views you just can't take in all at once. Like a dazzling sunset or breathtaking field of wildflowers—you just can't appreciate such beauty in the moment, a moment that is often over before you realize it, the forms and colors of that marvelous vista already fading in your memory. Perhaps it was with the goal of preserving such scenes that the first camera was invented, a goal that you may still share when you visit a place as beautiful as Big Bend and the surrounding area. Why not take a look through our new and improved photo galleries to see what amazing sights have been preserved by astounded visitors and appreciative locals? When you see the mountains, plains, flora, and fauna displayed in those images, you'll be glad the gallery contributors took their camera along.

Birding in Big Bend

Among the many activities available in Big Bend National Park that highlight the region's diversity of wildlife, birding can be enjoyable and promising. Big Bend engulfs a vast area, bounded by the the rushing Rio Grande valley to the south, containing high peaks in the Chisos Mountains, and boasting both desert and forest climates between the two. It embodies the very diversity that makes America great, providing countless opportunities to spot more than 450 birds in one area.

Your Big Year is Here

What are your new year's resolutions for 2012? Did you keep your resolutions for 2011? While the top resolutions each year include losing weight, learning something new, traveling, or getting out of debt, here's a new challenge you can take on this year: spot all the bird species in Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend Video Collections

Big Bend has some of the most spectacular scenery in Texas, if not the entire US. Our big sky country rivals any other state and our night skies are as dark as anywhere for excellent star gazing. The beautiful light and great scenery make for a photographer’s paradise.

Trails and Wildlife

There are many things you may love to do in Big Bend National Park in the heat of summer, but running or jogging is probably not one of them. With 90+ degree temperatures, there simply is no such thing as a nice July run in West Texas. With the dry weather we've had this year, you have truly hostile workout conditions. That all changes this time of year, though, as temperatures drop and the sun gives us a break for a few months. What a great time to get out on some trails in Big Bend!

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