If you have a know-it-all friend, you can probably stump them with some Big Bend Fun Facts. Be careful though, you may even stump yourself… & no one wants that…
Guide to Big Bend
Big Bend Fun Facts
fact 1 – Big Bend holds the greatest diversity of bird, bat and cactus species in all of the US national parks.
The average Park Junkie will certainly be surprised to learn this, but indeed, Big Bend’s wide diversity in terrain and elevation lend a wide diversity to the species of birds and bats that visit the park. More than 450 species of birds and 22 species of bats are known to frequent this place, making it a favorite among bird watchers… and bat watchers?
Also surprising is the fact that Big Bend holds a larger variety of cactus species than any other national park. The riparian zone along the river, the Chihuahuan Desert and the Chisos Mountains provide a maze of terrain that support an amazing amount of life, despite appearing at first glance to be a barren landscape.
Spend some time out here, you’ll be surprised at what you find.
fact 2 – Big Bend is the only national park with an international border crossing.
If you bring your passport to Big Bend, you can cross into Mexico at the Boquillas Crossing for a quick lunch, or a siesta on the southern beach of the Rio Grande. A small boat goes back and forth and will shuttle visitors back and forth for a small fee.
Bienvenidos a Mexico Amigos!
fact 3 – Big Bend is the only national park in the US to contain an entire mountain range within its boundary.
Despite the fact that many other national parks outrank Big Bend in size, not a single one of them hold an entire mountain range within their boundaries. Only Big Bend can claim that.
The Chisos Mountains are an impressive mountain range. When seen from afar, easily recognizable features such as Casa Grande, Toll Mountain, Lost Mine Peak and Emory Peak stand tall and proud on the Texas horizon. The range certainly looks impressive from any angle.
The Chisos cover more than 40 square miles, and have a vertical relief of nearly 6,000 feet when measured from the Rio Grande, which lies just to the south. Their highest point is Emory Peak, at 7,825′ and the Rio Grande has carved its way to sit just under 2,000′.
fact 4 – The Chisos Mountain Range is actually a volcanic caldera that lies within a larger mountain range known as the Rocky Mountains.
The Chisos Mountains rise majestically in the center of Big Bend National Park. This is easily observed by any visitor. What is not so easily noticed however, is that the park’s southernmost mountain, Mariscal Mountain, is actually the southern terminus of the Rocky Mountain Range.
Big Bend Stat Sheet
established: June 12, 1944 as Big Bend National Park
rank of admission: 25
size: 801,163 acres
rank in size: 14
annual visitation: 2018 – 440,091
rank in visitation: 43
time zone: Central Time
park phone: 432 477 2251
Guide to Big Bend
Relevant Links
Terlingua Nights Cabins – Local Guide
National Park Guides
All content found on Park Junkie is meant solely for entertainment purposes and is the copyrighted property of Park Junkie Productions. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited without the express written consent of Park Junkie Productions.
YOU CAN DIE. Activities pursued within National Park boundaries hold inherent dangers. You are solely responsible for your safety in the outdoors. Park Junkie accepts no responsibility for actions that result in inconveniences, injury or death.
This site is not affiliated with the National Park Service, or any particular park.
