In
South Texas, the Rio Grande makes a
U-turn, and inside this large curve
lies Big Bend National Park, the size
of Maryland and a spectacular landscape
of mountains, canyons, stunted forest,
badlands, and low desert.
Volcanic
ash is heaped in great mounds, while
unusual desert plants dominate the
hillsides gigantic yucca, cactus of a
dozen varieties, stands of lechuguilla,
bunchgrass, alligator juniper, pinyon
pine, and creosotebush. This is the
Chihuahuan desert, flowing over the
Mexico/Texas border, creating a
timeless scene that remains largely
untouched, even though mining has taken
place here over the past
century.
Nomadic
Indians occupied the Big Bend region
for more than ten centuries, hunting
camels, bison, elephants, and
pronghorn. They made baskets, mats, and
clothing from basketgrass and yucca.
These were prehistoric people who
disappeared, to be replaced by the
Jumanos. Apaches and Commanches, roamed
through the region in later years.
Mexicans and Anglos explored the area,
leading to the start of mining after
the territory became part of the United
States following the re-drawing of the
international boundary after the war of
1848.
Big
Bend
Today
This
is one of America's great national
parks, still largely unknown to
non-Texans, but gaining popularity
among nature lovers who come here to
gaze on the stark landscape, and to
enjoy the beauty of the Chihuahuan
Desert. The park now sprawls over 1,252
square miles, include the southernmost
tip of the bendall of it absolutely
awesome. It's located 410 miles from
San Antonio, and 323 miles from El
Paso, with the Rio Grande drawing the
park's southern boundary.
Home
to more than 70 species of mammals, and
even more amphibians and fishes, Big
Bend is paradise for wildlife-watchers.
Habitat is along the river, and high in
the Chisos Mountains, where woodland
vegetation includes junipers, oaks and
pinyons. The banks of the river are
jungle-like, creeping out from the
river along creek beds.
How
to Get
There
The
main access route from the north is
U.S. 385, leading south from U.S. 90.
From El Paso, take I-10 to Van Horne,
then take U.S. 90 to Alpine and then
turn south on State Route 118. From the
southwest, take the Camino del Rio
(Texas Ranch Road 170), through the
town of Lajitas, and turn onto State
Route 118 to enter the park. The
visitor center is in the middle of the
park, at Panther Junction (U.S. 385 and
State Route 118).
Where
to
Stay
Overnight
lodging is available in Lajitas,
outside the park, and inside the park
at Chisos Mountain Lodge in the Basin
area. For reservations, write
Concessions, Big Bend National Park,
Texas 79834. Campgrounds are available
at three locations.
Fraser
Bridges
