Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River

The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, or El Rio Bravo del Norte, provides protection and maintenance of the pristine character of the Rio Grande from the Coahuila/Chihuahua, Mexico, state border upstream from Mariscal Canyon to the Terrell/Val Verde County line in Texas downstream. The Wild and Scenic River designation extends for 196 miles along the river(e2)(80)(997320)course.

Approximately 69 miles of The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River designation lies within Big Bend National Park, and an additional 118 miles borders the Park. The National Park Service manages both the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, and the Rio Grande along the park(e2)(80)(997320)boundary for recreation and preservation.

Please click on "in depth" for a wealth of information on visiting the Rio.

Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River - c/o Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
915-477-2251 - Visitor Information

By Plane
The nearest airports served by major airlines are located in Midland/Odessa, Texas and El Paso, Texas.

Rental cars are available at both airports.

By Car
Several highways lead to The Rio Grands Wild & Scenic River through Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio tthrough Study Butte, or US 90 or US 385 through Marathon.

Distances between towns and services can be considerable. Always be sure you have plenty of gas, oil, food, and water for your trip. The Big Bend National Park has four camper stores, but supply and selection can be limited. The last major shopping areas (grocery and hardware stores) are Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Del Rio.

By Plane
No public transportation is available to this site.

Sunshine is abundant year-round on the Rio Grande. While this sounds welcoming, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are dangers to guard against during the hot months. Conversely, hypothermia is a life-threatening danger during the balance of the year. Infrequent and brief periods of cloudy weather are confined mostly to the winter months. Appropriate clothing and other gear should be carried from November through April as cold fronts can bring freezing weather with rain or snow. The "rainy season" extends from mid-July through early October and can result in locally heavy thunderstorms and flash floods. Rapid river rises can be dangerous if unprepared. Relative humidity is normally between 25% - 40% year around.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Fishing
• Wildlife Viewing
• Whitewater Rafting

Recommended Activities
The spectacular river canyons, the primitive character of the Rio Grande, and its international flavor provide a stimulating environment for a high quality recreational and scenic experience. The river is a free-flowing river with a sufficient volume of water during normal years to permit full enjoyment of river recreational activities.