Big Bend National Park News
Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's Big Bend National Park - News section for more.
Tourism to Big Bend National Park contributes $56.8 million to local economy
September 30, 2025 | 10:00 am
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – A new National Park Service report shows that in 2024, 561 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $56.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting Big Bend National Park. These expenditures supported a total of 585 jobs, $17.3 million in labor income, $34.4 million in value added, and $63.7 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Big Bend National Park.
Wildlife Project Will Temporarily Close Remote Sections of Big Bend National Park
September 22, 2025 | 12:00 am
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – In early October, Big Bend National Park will implement targeted management actions to protect native desert bighorn sheep by reducing the population of non-native Barbary sheep (aoudad) within the park. This is a continuation of the park’s annual aoudad management in collaboration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD).
Chisos Basin to Remain Open for Winter 2025 Season
August 20, 2025 | 6:41 pm
Construction projects in the Chisos Basin to replace the Chisos Mountains Lodge and the entire water distribution system have a revised start date of May 1, 2026.
Flooding in Big Bend National Park
July 4, 2025 | 9:25 am
The Big Bend area of Texas received significant amounts of rainfall during the past few days, causing flash floods, wet conditions, and flooding along the Rio Grande.
Boquillas Port of Entry Begins Summer Schedule May 5
April 18, 2025 | 12:00 pm
The Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico will change to the summer schedule beginning Monday, May 5th. The crossing will be open four days a week, Fridays through Mondays.
A New Plant Species Has Been Discovered in Big Bend National Park
February 24, 2025 | 8:00 am
While hiking in Big Bend National Park, two park employees encountered a tiny plant that they didn’t recognize. Further investigation has now revealed that it is a species previously unknown to science.
Temporary Trail Closures to Protect Nesting Falcons
January 16, 2025 | 9:46 am
Beginning February 1st and continuing through April 18, the National Park Service will temporarily close a portion of the East Rim Trail in the Chisos Mountains to protect nesting falcons.
Fatality on Emory Peak
November 29, 2024 | 2:18 pm
On Wednesday, November 27, a group of hikers reported a seriously injured visitor at the summit of Emory Peak. A Park Ranger was airlifted by helicopter to the scene and located the body of a 35-year-old man from Florence, TX. Cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Temporary Closures for Herbicide Applications
November 5, 2024 | 8:39 am
From November 11 to November 12, a team will be cutting down and applying herbicide to invasive salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) in the Hot Springs area. During this time, visitors may encounter a temporary closure along the river from Gravel Pit to Hot Springs Canyon. Work is not expected to affect visitor access to the historic Hot Springs.
Visitor Fatality on Marufo Vega Trail
October 28, 2024 | 1:00 pm
On Monday, October 28, after an aerial and ground search by NPS rangers and U.S. Border Patrol supported by helicopters from the TX Department of Public Safety and U.S. Customs Air and Marine Operations, searchers located the body of a 24-year-old hiker along the Marufo Vega Trail.