Overview

A swath of Chihuahuan Desert larger than the state of Rhode Island is protected at Big Bend National Park, located in West Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border. About 150 miles of hiking trails stitch the park's 1,252 square miles, which encompass the diversity of the desert, the greener environment along the Rio Grande, the heights of the Chisos Mountains, and the majesty of Persimmon Gap and Boquillas Canyon. The near-total absence of natural light makes Big Bend a favorite destination for stargazing, and hikers will encounter a surprising variety of flora and fauna, including 1,200 species of plants, 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 74 mammal species. The landscape is also dotted with fossil troves from the Cretaceous and Cenozoic periods, ancient archeological sites, and remnants of Old West habitation. In addition to day hikes and camping, visitors can challenge themselves with a river-running trip on the Rio Grande as its passes through the park's canyons. Established: June 12, 1944 Area: 801,163.21 acres Website: [www.nps.gov/bibe](http://www.nps.gov/bibe)