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Texas downstream. The Wild and Scenic River designation extends for 196 miles along the river’s course. Approximately 69 miles of The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River designation lies within Big Bend National Park, and an additional 118 miles borders the Park. The National
Park Service manages both the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, and the Rio Grande along the park’s boundary for recreation and preservation. CONTACTS Email - BIBEinformation@nps.gov Write
to
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River - c/o Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834 Phone
Visitor Information - 915-477-2251
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is open
24 hours daily all year. Getting There
PLANE - The nearest airports served by major airlines are located in Midland/Odessa, Texas and El Paso, Texas. Rental cars are available at both airports. CAR - Several highways lead to The Rio Grands Wild &
Scenic River through Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio tthrough Study Butte, or US 90 or US 385 through Marathon. Distances between towns and services can be considerable. Always be sure you have plenty of gas, oil, food, and
water for your trip. The Big Bend National Park has four camper stores, but supply and selection can be limited. The last major shopping areas (grocery and hardware stores) are Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Del Rio. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No public transportation is available
to this site. Weather & Climate
Sunshine is abundant year-round on the Rio Grande. While this sounds welcoming, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are dangers to guard against during the hot months. Conversely, hypothermia is a life-threatening danger during the
balance of the year. Infrequent and brief periods of cloudy weather are confined mostly to the winter months. Appropriate clothing and other gear should be carried from November through April as cold fronts can bring freezing weather with rain or snow. The 'rainy season' extends
from mid-July through early October and can result in locally heavy thunderstorms and flash floods. Rapid river rises can be dangerous if unprepared. Relative humidity is normally between 25% - 40% year around. FEES/PERMITS
Permits
BACKCOUNTRY
RIVER USE
Free!
A backcountry use permit is required for day and overnight use of floating craft on all sections of the Rio Grande administered by the National Park Service, except for persons day-fishing downstream from the National Park boundary. The permit is free and
can be obtained at park visitor centers and at self-permit stations at Lajitas (Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center--only for Santa Elena Canyon) and the Stillwell Store and RV Park on FM2627 enroute to the Lower Canyons put-in at La Linda. A group of up to 30 persons,
not including professional guides, may put on the Rio Grande daily on the Lajitas to Talley sections and the Solis to Boquillas Canyon entrance sections. Elsewhere in Big Bend National Park, a group of up to 20 persons, not including guides, may float on the river each day. Along
the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River downstream from the National Park, a group of up to 20 persons, not including guides, may float per day.
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