Big Bend National Park has many places of wonder and amazement. From historical significance to just beautiful views. It encompasses a large part of the land. We will be including information on the Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena, Boquillas, the Castolon area, Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village, the Hot Springs and numerous other places in between.
Panther Junction is Big Bend National Park's Headquarters. It is located along Hwy. 118 at the junction of Hwy. 385. It is open daily from 8a.m. to 6p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day. A general store is nearby that offers basic groceries and gas. A visitors center and a museum are located there as well. Permits can be purchased here along with numerous books about the National Park and the Big Bend in general. Park Rangers are also stationed here and any questions can be answered through them. The museum also includes a life-sized replica of the bones of one wing of the Quatzalcoatlus northopi.
The Chisos Mountain Basin is located at over 5,000 feet in the heart of Big Bend National Park. To get there, drive along Hwy 118, not long before reaching the National Park Headquarters, the basin road will be on the right. The Chisos Basin offers lodging, a gift shop, a general store, restaurant, a visitor center, as well as camping. There are numerous hikes that begin in the Basin including the Lost Mine Trail, the Window Overlook, The Window Loop, Emory peak and the South Rim. There are other hikes such as Boot Springs and Laguna Meadow. These hikes however are along the same hike as Emory Peak.
The Chisos Mountain Lodge is operated by National Park Concessions, Inc. The lodge is equipped with a total of 72 rooms and is open year round. Non-smoking rooms and wheelchair accessibility is available. For more information on lodging in the Chisos Basin, please contact the National Park Concessions at (915) 477-2291. The Chisos Mountain Lodge Restaurant is open from 7a.m. to 8p.m. everyday and offers a wide array of food. The developed campground has a total of 63 sites and include water and rest rooms but have no hook-ups. It is also on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rio Grande Village is located at the west end of Hwy. 118. Located there is a general store, visitors center, RV Park, campsites, entry to Boquillas, Mexico, a put-in for Boquillas canyon, and a hike that goes into Boquillas canyon. The RV park is operated by a concession and has 25 full-hookup sites. The campground has 100 campsites available and please be aware no reservations are accepted. Showers and laundry facilities are also available in Rio Grande Village. The general store has basic groceries and gas available. The Rio Grande Village Visitor Center is open from November through April and information and backcountry permits can be obtained here.
Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico is located just downstream of Rio Grande Village. Here, you can catch a ferryboat to cross the Rio Grande River. The village is approximately one mile away. To make your experience more memorable, a burro can be rented to take you into town versus walking. A general store, a restaurant, a cantina, a Bed & Breakfast, a gift shop, and hot springs can be found in or near town. The hot springs are located upstream from the boat landing. The water temperature averages 105º F. Metates (mortar holes) can be seen nearby, remnants of the Indians that once lived in the area. The local Bed & Breakfast, The Buzzard's Roost, offers rooms, campsites, home-cooked meals, and bilingual hosts. Both a Catholic & Baptist Church are located in the town. Guide services are available to take you into the Sierra del Carmen Mountains. There, you can journey to El Pico, the highest point in Sierra del Carmen at 7,022 feet.