Big Bend Natural History Association

***Self-Guided Trip Planning

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.

Fall isn't quite here yet, but you can tell that it's on the way! Daytime highs are sometimes still hot enough to be dangerous for the unacclimated, but morning and overnight temps are pleasant. Hikers in the lower and middle elevations should follow forecasts and plan to be off the trails by early afternoon on warmer days.

Remember that you must have a reservation or permit to camp or park overnight anywhere inside or outside the park. There is no first-come, first-served camping anywhere in Brewster County. Summer campground closures ended November 1 and all campgrounds filled that day, so be sure you have a place to stay lined up before you leave home. See the park website for information on how to make a reservation and a list of nearby options when Big Bend National Park is full.

Bringing a trailer or RV? It's best to go to your RV park first to leave your RV, and drive into the park in your tow vehicle. You're unlikely to find a parking spot large enough for an RV. The only place in the park where you might be given permission to leave a trailer is the Rio Grande Village visitor center at the far east end.

Chisos Mountains Trails Map 2020

Chisos Mountains Trails Map 2020

Revised in 2019 and in full color, this handy map includes a new inset map of the Chisos Basin Trailhead and developed area as well as descriptions...
$1.39
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Restop 2 Disposable Travel Toilet

Restop 2 Disposable Travel Toilet

Campers in the Chisos Mountains hike-in sites are now required to pack out human waste, and it's likely that this requirement will be extended to...
$3.99
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Backcountry Road Guide

Backcountry Road Guide

Thoroughly revised mile by mile, this new edition of the Road Guide to Backcountry Roads of Big Bend National Park now includes GPS coordinates as...
$4.95
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Hiker's Guide 2021

Hiker's Guide 2021

Significantly revised, the 2021 edition is filled with full-color photographs and is a large format 8.5" x 11" for readability. New symbols...
$4.95
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Great Walks of Big Bend

Great Walks of Big Bend

Note: The Chisos Mountains walks in this guide are NOT affected by the spring-summer 2021 wildfire closures. All of them remain open as of May 2021....
$8.95
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Desert Hiking Tips: Expert Advice on Hiking and Driving

Desert Hiking Tips: Expert Advice on Hiking and Driving

  This pocket-size book might be a life-saver—or at least a time- and embarrassment-saver! Veteran outdoorsman Bruce Grubbs provides the...
$10.95
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2019 Trails Illustrated Map: Big Bend National Park

2019 Trails Illustrated Map: Big Bend National Park

• Waterproof • Tear-Resistant • Topographic Map The largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend National Park is a...
$14.95
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Half Day Hikes: Big Bend Ranch State Park

Half Day Hikes: Big Bend Ranch State Park

By Robert and Jenny Fuller This pocket-size guide covers 12 easy-to-moderate hikes in neighboring Big Bend Ranch State Park. The largest state park...
$14.95
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Trails Illustrated Day Hikes: Big Bend National Park

Trails Illustrated Day Hikes: Big Bend National Park

This map set features 18 of the most interesting medium-length hikes in Big Bend National Park, in a convenient waterproof, rip-resistant booklet...
$14.95
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Max: 20
River Guide to the Rio Grande: Colorado and Santa Elena Canyons

River Guide to the Rio Grande: Colorado and Santa Elena Canyons

This guide covers from Tapado Canyon to the Santa Elena Canyon takeout and includes Colorado Canyon and Santa Elena Canyon. A newly revised version...
$17.95
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