Barton Warnock Visitor Center
Open year-round. Visitor center hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Reservations are highly recommended as the park frequently reaches capacity. The Sauceda interior area has limited services, but River District camping remains accessible through Barton Warnock.
Flood Warning issued October 30 at 9:47AM CDT until November 1 at 5:00AM CST by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
...The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Texas... Rio Grande at Rio Grande at Rio Grande Village, BBNP, Texas affecting Brewster County. For the Rio Grande...including Rio Grande above Rio Conchos near Presidio, Texas, Test Forecast Point A, Rio Grande at Presidio Vehicle Bridge, Rio Grande below Rio Conchos near Presidio, Texas, Rio Grande near Castolon, Texas, Rio Grande at Johnson Ranch near Castolon, Texas, Rio Grande at Rio Grande Village, BBNP, Texas, Rio Grande near Dryden, Texas, Terlingua Creek near Terlingua, Texas...Moderate flooding is forecast. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Rio Grande at Rio Grande at Rio Grande Village, BBNP, Texas. * WHEN...From this morning to late Saturday night. * IMPACTS...At 12.0 feet, the river reaches bankfull, and no damage is expected. Preparations may be necessary to remove water pumps. The park should be notified at this time if additional rises are expected so they will have time to remove the pumps. At 13.0 feet, the river reaches minor flood stage. Water reaches the water pumps maintained by the park service that are used to water the campgrounds and to provide water to the employee living quarters. It may be necessary for park personnel to remove the pumps. At 15.0 feet, the river reaches moderate flood stage. Water pumps submerge. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 14.8 feet (4.5 meters). - Bankfull stage is 12.0 feet (3.7 meters). - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 9:00 AM CDT Friday was 14.8 feet (4.5 meters). - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 15.3 feet (4.7 meters) this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage this evening. - Flood stage is 13.0 feet (4.0 meters). - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 15.1 feet (4.6 meters) on 07/22/2025. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Watch issued October 30 at 3:31AM MDT until October 30 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southeast New Mexico, including the following areas, Central Lea, Eddy County Plains, Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County, Northern Lea and Southern Lea and Texas, including the following areas, Andrews, Borden, Central Brewster, Chinati Mountains, Chisos Basin, Crane, Davis Mountains, Davis Mountains Foothills, Dawson, Eastern Culberson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet, Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains, Howard, Loving, Lower Brewster County, Marfa Plateau, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Pecos, Presidio Valley, Reagan, Reeves County Plains, Scurry, Terrell, Upton, Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor, Ward and Winkler. * WHEN...Through this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Deep moisture has spread over the entire area ahead of an approaching upper level storm system. Numerous to widespread showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall over these areas. 1 to 3 inches of rainfall with locally higher totals will be possible, which could result in areas of flash flooding, especially urban areas where drainage is poor. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Barton Warnock Visitor Center sits along FM 170 (River Road) approximately 1.5 miles east of Lajitas, serving as the eastern permit-issuing station for Big Bend Ranch State Park. The visitor center houses the "Una Tierra - One Land" exhibit showcasing the natural and geological history of the Big Bend region in both English and Spanish. Camping permits, river-use permits, and fishing licenses can all be obtained here. The River District offers primitive drive-in campsites at Arenosa, Lower and Upper Madera Canyon, La Cuesta, Grassy Banks, and Contrabando West Trailhead. Each site accommodates up to 8 people with a two-vehicle limit and includes a picnic table and fire ring. Self-composting toilets are available at Colorado Canyon, Madera Canyon, Grassy Banks, and Contrabando Movie Set. No water, electrical hookups, or dump stations exist anywhere in the park. Campers must pack out all trash and human waste. Firewood gathering is prohibited; bring your own. Temperatures from April through September regularly exceed 100 degrees by late morning. Maximum stay is 14 nights per permit. Reservations are highly recommended as the park often reaches capacity.
Directions
Located on FM 170 (River Road) approximately 1.5 miles east of Lajitas, Texas, between Terlingua and Lajitas in Brewster County.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 - $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 30ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 18ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| BigBendRanchSP@tpwd.texas.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (432) 424-3327 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!