Big Bend Ranch State Park

Open — Open year-round. Reservations are highly recommended as the park often reaches capacity. Maximum stay is 14 nights per permit. Check in required at either Barton Warnock Visitor Center or Fort Leaton State Historic Site before entering the park.

About

Big Bend Ranch State Park spans over 300,000 acres in far west Texas along the Rio Grande, making it the largest state park in Texas. This remote wilderness park offers outdoor recreation for truly adventurous visitors, featuring rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, and solitude in a high desert setting. Elevations range from 2,350 to over 5,000 feet. The park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park and offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. Visitors can explore 238 miles of multiuse trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, plus 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads requiring high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. The scenic Camino del Rio along FM 170 provides access to the Rio Grande for floating, fishing, and hiking. The park also features a 5,500-foot paved airstrip for fly-in visitors. Camping options include drive-in primitive sites in the Interior District (accessed via 27 miles of rugged dirt road from FM 170) and River District sites along the River Road. Backcountry camping is available throughout designated zones with no established campsites. All sites are primitive with basic amenities. The park requires check-in at either Barton Warnock Visitor Center near Terlingua or Fort Leaton State Historic Site near Presidio. During warm weather months, temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees by late morning and can reach 130 degrees in the sun, requiring extensive preparation.

Directions

From Alpine, TX, take US 67 west to Marfa, then south to Presidio. From Presidio, take FM 170 East 3 miles to reach Fort Leaton, or East 5 miles to the Casa Piedra Road. From the Casa Piedra Road, follow signs 27 miles to the Sauceda Visitor Center. Alternatively, from Alpine, TX, take FM 118 south to Study Butte, then take FM 170 west to the Barton Warnock Visitor Center.

Nearby Campgrounds