Brewster County Travel & Relocation Guide 2021-22 | Page 11

11 where their buildings and corrals can be visited today .
As their ranch passed through several owners over the next five decades , it became one of the 15 largest ranches in the United States . By the time the ranch came to Robert O . Anderson in 1969 , it helped make him the largest private landowner in the country . Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased it in 1988 with the help of many preservation groups and individuals . The Park opened on a
“ Big Bend Ranch State Park is the home of the second highest waterfall in Texas , Madrid Falls .”
limited basis in 1991 , and became fully accessible to the public in 2007 .
Just as in the National Park , the State Park is dotted with prehistoric sites from the various peoples who have populated the Big Bend region for over 10,000 years . More than 500 of these sites have been surveyed , including camps and middens , petroglyphs , metates and the remains of structures . Spanish explorers , U . S . army caravans experimenting with camels , ranchers , Mexican revolutionaries , miners , farmers and settlers have all left their distinct marks on the harsh landscape .

Play , Stay , Eat

& MORE

Established 1944 It ’ s BIG : 801,163 acres , 1252 square miles
Entrance fees :
Per non-commercial vehicle - $ 30 , valid for 7 days Motorcycle - $ 25 , valid for 7 days Big Bend Annual Pass - $ 55

Play

STARGAZING
Big Bend is a Dark Sky Park and stars are amazingly bright throughout Brewster County .
HIKING
More than 150 miles of trails provide day hike and backpacking trip opportunities .
CAMPING
Camping is allowed in campgrounds and backcountry sites with a permit . Get one at the Visitors Center .
PETS
It ’ s probably best to leave your pet at home for your trip to the Big Bend National Park . They can only go where cars can go .
BASIC SAFETY
• It get ’ s very hot in the Big bend National Park in the summer - Carry and drink water ( one gallon per person per day ), wear a hat and protective clothing .
• Avoid drinking from the Rio Grande River .
• Watch out for cactus thorns - they ’ re sharp .
• Avoid swimming in the Rio Grande - strong currents are present .
• Never feed wildlife . It ’ s illegal .
• There are no medical services in the Park . A health clinic is 42 miles away .
• Cell phone service is spotty in most of the Park . Be prepared with the VisitBigBend . com mobile app and a copy of Map of the Big Bend - BigBendMap . com .
RIVER RAFTING
See page 20 .

Stay

CHISOS MOUNTAIN LODGE
( 877 ) 386-4383 or ( 432 ) 477 2291 . chisosmountainslodge . com Nearby accomodations : see page 20 .

Eat

MOUNTAIN VIEW RESTAURANT at the Chisos Mountain Lodge or Eat outside the Park : see page 20 .
MORE IDEAS & INFORMATION :
VisitBigBend . com - A full resource with more places to stay and eat and things to do . Updated COVID-19 information .
NPS . gov / bibe ( 432 ) 477-2251 Big Bend National Park official website with full information on the Park and the current status of access to Boquillas , Mexico .
( 432 ) 358-4444 tpwd . texas . gov / state-parks / big-bendranch ( 432 ) 358-4444
Stargazing information - visit : darksky . org