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Castolon Historic District
The "Ghost Town" of Big Bend National Park.
Plan Around Castolon Historic District
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Castolon Historic District Details
Castolon Historic District is on the National Historic Registry even though ranching and farming continued here until about 1961. It is considered the "ghost town" of the park and it is the most intact historical site in the park. Home to the store La Harmonia (which has a visitor center that is open seasonally Nov-April), Castolon is a great place to spend some time learning about the human history of the park. La Harmonia stocks refreshments, souvenirs and snacks and you can find restrooms nearby. The 25 person population (at the time the park was established) dropped to three by 1945 with the closing of the post office. Today, the inhabitants of Castolon include wildlife and national park employees. You can reach Castolon by way of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
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Nearby Parks Around Castolon Historic District
Compare nearby parks around Castolon Historic District when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Castolon Historic District
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Castolon Historic District while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Castolon Visitor Center
The Castolon Visitor Center is open seasonally from November - April from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a brief midday closure for lunch.
0.0 mi away
Castolon Store
Historic convenience store with basic groceries, camping supplies and souvenirs. Open year-round.
0.6 mi away
Cottonwood Campground
$14/night, year-round, 24-hour campground with pit toilets, grills and water. No frills but a whole lot of fun!
1.3 mi away
Cerro Castellan
Cerro Castellan is an ancient volcanic butte that looms over the valley by the Santa Elena Canyon.
2.0 mi away
Tuff Canyon
Sporting some of the coolest geology in the park, the walls of Tuff Canyon are made of ancient volcanic ash.
