GUIDE TO THE RIO GRAND RIVER BASIN (BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK)

The Rio Grand River Basin

The 118 river miles that form the southern park boundary include the spectacular canyons of Santa Elena, Mariscal, and Boquillas. The Rio Grande, meandering through this portion of the Chihuahuan Desert, has cut deep canyons with nearly vertical walls through three uplifts comprised primarily of limestone. Throughout the open desert areas, the highly productive Rio Grande riparian zone includes various plant and animal species and significant cultural resources. These riparian corridors extend into the desert along creeks and arroyos.

Permit Information
Free permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry, and can be obtained at the park visitor centers. You must camp at least 1/4 mile from any water source.

Directions
The Rio Grande constitutes the southern border of the park. Entrances include Rio Grande Village (Boquillas Del Carmen, Mexico) in the east and Castolon (Santa Elena, Mexico) in the west.

Information Center
There is a visitor center in Rio Grande Village, in the southeast corner of the park.

GUIDE TO THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT (BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK)

The Chihuahuan Desert

The Chihuahuan Desert covers about 80% of the park, surrounding the Chisos Mountains like a desert ocean. Trails range from short, easy nature trails to multi-day treks marked only by rock piles, if at all. The remote desert routes provide a wonderful challenge for experienced backpackers. Silence and solitude are key resources protected here, as there are few other places where people can escape civilization so completely; often, the only sounds you hear are the wind and your own breathing.

Bare rocky ground and sparse vegetation are well-known hallmarks of the desert, but the observant hiker will find plenty of life here. Look for termite nests built up along the stems of plants, white exoskeletons of millipedes long dead, piles of animal droppings, and tunnels dug into the soil by rodents and reptiles. Bird life is plentiful in the desert, especially in the morning; look for nests hidden in yuccas, cacti, and other prickly vegetation. Hikers in the spring will find wildflowers adding their colorful blooms to the desert landscape. Bluebonnets, paintbrushes, bicolored mustard, desert bailey, yucca, ocotillo, and various types of cactus are some of the more obvious plants found blooming during the spring.

Permit Information
Free Zone Camping permits are available for the desert. The park is divided into a number of zones ranging from areas along popular trails to extremely isolated areas.

Directions
The desert covers the majority of the park, with the exception of the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande river basin.

Information Center
The Persimmon Gap Visitor Center is at the northern entrance to the park, and the Panther Junction Visitor Center is centrally located near the intersection of Highways 385 and 118.

GUIDE TO THE CHISOS MOUNTAINS (BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK)

The Chisos Mountains
If the Rio Grande is the linear oasis of the Big Bend country, then the Chisos Mountains are its green island in the desert sea. The combination of river and mountains draws a number of creatures not found elsewhere in desert areas, including several species of animals, birds, and plants that are quite rare, even unique, due to these mountains' isolation.

Average rainfall at the Basin, in the Chisos Mountains, is twice that at Rio Grande Village in the oasis along the river. When approaching the mountains from Green Gulch, you pass grasslands punctuated by century plants and sotol, but soon notice green leafy shrubs. Then the bushes get taller, with evergreen sumac, mountain mahogany, Texas madrone, and common beebrush. At an elevation of 4,500 feet the first tall trees begin to appear, and higher up in the drainage you will encounter well-forested areas.

Permit Information
Free permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry. They allow backpackers to choose from a number of designated backcountry sites along the trails of the High Chisos.

Directions
Located in the center of the park, the Chisos Mountains can be reached from Highways 385, 118, or the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

Information Center
The Chisos Basin Visitor Center is located at the end of the Green Gulch road.

GUIDE TO BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Operating Hours
Open year-round.

Visitation
Highest in Mar.-Apr., spring break, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Permits
Free backcountry permits are required. They can be obtained in person at the park visitor center up to 24 hrs. in advance of the trip and are valid for up to 14 consecutive nights in the backcountry. For special use permits call (915)477-2251.

Visitors Center and Programs
Visitor Center: There are 4 visitor centers, located at Persimmon Gap, Panther Junction, Chisos Basin, and Rio Grande Village. There is a visitor contact station at Castolon. Panther Junction and Chisos Basin are open year-round. Persimmon Gap is open most of the year. Rio Grande Village is open from November to April. All visitor centers provide information, backcountry permits, and some exhibits.

Programs: Nature walks, workshops, and evening slide programs are offered year-round. Several programs per day are offered November through April, more than during the hot summer months.

Food Supplies and Concessions
Food/Supplies: Limited groceries are available near all campgrounds. Gas is available at Panther Junction (park headquarters) and Rio Grande Village. Showers and laundry facilities are available only at Rio Grande Village. There is a restaurant in the Chisos Basin.

Concessions: Commercial float trips on the Rio Grande are available through outfitters just outside the park. The Big Bend Natural History Association operates bookstores in all four visitor centers.

Visitor Impact

Additional Information
The park is very large and remote. Remember that you will be at least 100 miles from a bank, hospital, pharmacy, or supermarket!

The park is crowded during spring break, at which time all campsites and lodgings may be full. The nearest campsite with space available may be 25 miles away. The nearest available lodging during spring break may be 100 miles away.

The Chisos Mountain Lodge is located within the park. There are additional lodgings a moderate distance outside the park. Note that the park is crowded during spring break, at which time the nearest lodging vacancy may be 100 miles away.


Chisos Mountain Lodge

Located in the Chisos Basin at 5400 ft. elevation, the lodge has 72 rooms, a gift shop and dining room, and is open all year.

There are 3 campgrounds within the park. Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people and two vehicles, or one RV plus one vehicle. All campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.With a backcountry permit you may camp at one of the numerous backcountry roadside campsites throughout the park. Most require a high clearance or 4WD vehicle. Backcountry permits also allow for open zone camping in some desert areas, and campsites in the high Chisos Mountains are available.

Fall and spring are usually warm and pleasant. Summers are hot, although temperatures vary greatly between the desert floor and the Chisos Mountains. May and June are the hottest months. Afternoon and evening rains often cool the desert from July to October.

Winters are generally mild, although periods of cold weather (including light snow) are possible. Winter visitors must prepare for a variety of conditions.

One gallon of water per person per day is essential.


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HISTORY OF BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

GUIDE TO BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

North Unit

In the North Unit, the 64,250 acre Sage Creek Wilderness is ideal for backpackers. When hiking, always carry water; 2 quarts per person per two hour hike is recommended. This wilderness area is the site of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America.

Permit Information
No permit is required, but all backpackers are urged to stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Backpackers may camp anywhere in the park that is at least one-half mile from any road or trail and not visible from park roads. No fires are permitted.

Directions
From Westbound Interstate 90, take exit 131 (Cactus Flat) or exit 110 (Wall). Signs to Badlands National Park will take you 11 miles to the NE Entrance. From Eastbound Interstate 90, take exit 109 and follow signs 7 miles to Pinnacles Entrance.

Information Center
The Ben Reifel Visitor Center, located at Cedar Pass, 4 miles southwest of the Northeast Entrance, has exhibits, sales area, film and park headquarters.

Palmer Creek Unit
Palmer Creek Unit is the smallest and most remote section of Badlands National Park. Here you may explore the mixed grass prairie with the backdrop of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires for which the Badlands is famous. As in the Stronghold Unit, there are no established trails in the Palmer Creek Unit. You may hike anywhere in this region, but you must be familiar with navigation and routefinding, as it is easy to get disoriented. All routes into Palmer Creek are impassable if any rain has fallen recently. Inquire at the White River Visitor Center for road conditions.

Permit Information

No permit is required, but all backpackers are urged to stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Backpackers may camp anywhere in the park that is at least one-half mile from any road or trail and not visible from park roads. No fires are permitted.

Directions
Access to the Palmer Creek Unit is extrememly difficult; all of the roads are privately owned and you need 4WD. From Hwy 44, head south on 589/27 at Scenic, 20 miles to White River Visitor Center, which is your launching point into the Palmer Creek Unit.

Information Center
There is no information center in the Palmer Creek Unit. Visitors should stop at the White River Visitor Center in neighboring Stronghold Unit, open from June to late August.

Stronghold Unit
The Stronghold Unit is co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and includes sites of 1890s Ghost Dances. The land is contained within the Pine Ridge Indain Reservation. Visitors to the Stronghold Unit will find the same spectacular rock formations and mixed grass prairie as in the North Unit, but with a more remote and desolate feel. There are no established trails in the Stronghold Unit. You may hike anywhere in this region, but you must be familiar with navigation and routefinding, as it is easy to get disoriented.

A visit to Sheep Mountain Table will reward the visitor with one of Badlands National Park's most outstanding vistas. This 4 mile long plateau is surrounded by steep drop offs and is accessible by a 7 mile dirt road which is passable ohly when dry. Because this is a sacred place for the Lakota people, do not disturb any religious artifacts or prople participating in religious activities.

Permit Information
No permit is required, but all backpackers are urged to stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Backpackers may camp anywhere in the park that is at least one-half mile from any road or trail and not visible from park roads. No fires are permitted.

Directions
From Hwy. 44, head south on 589/27 at Scenic, 20 miles to White River Visitor Center. Unimproved roads provide access deep into the Stronghold Unit. These roads are impassable when wet.

Information Center
White River Visitor Center is open from June to late August.

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