Universal Studios is looking to England for its next theme park. The attractions operator has bought land in Bedford, 45 minutes outside of London, and may build its next big project there.
Big Bend National Park: 10 Things To Know Before You Go
30.11.2023 - 19:11 / forbes.com / National Park
I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this. Pictures barely do it justice. I was passing through West Texas, having already visited the nearby White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, and figured this would be the easiest time to visit Big Bend National Park. I’d heard from a fellow traveler that it was his favorite park, and he’d been to all of them. With that in mind, I purposely limited how much I’d see of the park before I arrived. I wanted to be surprised, and boy was I.
Big Bend is a massive park, one of the largest in the US National Park system, but because it’s relatively remote, it’s also one of the lesser visited parks, with just over 500,000 annual visitors. That’s a shame, because it’s magnificent. Mountains, canyons, rivers, incredible views, and the most epic vertical wall of rock I’ve ever seen.
There are some important things to know before you arrive, however.
According to the National Park Service, Big Bend’s season is from November to April. I visited in the beginning of May and it was hot enough that even moderate hikes were a bit much. However, even in the summer you can drive through and see some gorgeous views. Just remember, it is a desert and summer can be intense. Speaking of that...
Big Bend is part of the Chihuahuan Desert, which is to say, it’s hot and dry. While winters tend to be milder, it’s still quite dry. Don’t take this for granted, people have died in the park quite recently.
Big Bend has over 200 miles of hiking trails. These range from easy, short hikes, to challenging all day trails. My favorite was a fairly short and simple one, wading across the muddy Rio Grande and into Santa Elena Canyon. If you don’t want to get your feet wet, you can walk up river a bit and depending on the water level you might be able to cross. This route involves a rather steep and slippery path, however, so it’s not easier than going directly across.
On the southeastern side of the park, it’s possible to cross the Rio Grande and visit Boquillas, Mexico. You’ll need a valid Passport, or at least a Passport Card, to do so. It’s a small town about a half mile from the river, where there are some restaurants and stores. It costs a few dollars to get across the river (via rowboat), and a few dollars more if you want to ride a donkey into town.
If you’re not a US citizen, check in advance what requirements you’ll need to enter Mexico.
Over 100 miles of the slow moving Rio Grande flows through the park. The National Park Service doesn’t offer equipment, guides, or tours, but there are places nearby that offer all three. Overnight trips will require a backcountry permit.
Even if boats aren’t your thing, bring a towel anyway, as there are multiple places to
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