It's Fall in Big Bend!. Temperatures are variable but rarely exceed 90 in the low desert in November. Recent rains have leafed out the ocotillos and sparked a moderately impressive fall wildflower season. Visitation is matching or exceeding previous records, so the most important skill for a Big Bend trip around Thanksgiving is flexibility. Be prepared with a plan for each section of the park, so if it's crowded, you're ready to go see something fabulous where the crowds aren't!
Planning ahead is crucial to a safe trip. In addition to one or more of the following guidebooks, we highly recommend consulting the park's main website frequently for important safety updates. Remember that there is no longer any first-come, first-served camping; see the park website for information on how to reserve a campsite before you arrive.
The restaurant at the Chisos Mountains Lodge is open normal hours most days, including breakfast service, although there may be closures on short notice due to building repair needs. Call or stop by the Chisos Mountains Lodge offices to find out plans for the days of your visit.
The Chisos Basin Campground has reopened, but bear activity continues to be a little higher than normal. Please ask a Ranger how to "be bear-aware." While most bear activity is currently concentrated in the mountains, in this unusually dry year they have been seen seeking food throughout the park. Be extremely careful with food storage and trash disposal to avoid teaching bears to associate humans with food rewards.
