Big Bend National Park Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Welcome to Big Bend National Park, where vast deserts and towering mountains await.

• Entrance Station

  At the Entrance Station, grab your pass—whether a $30 option for a week's visit or an $80 "America the Beautiful" pass for year-long access to national parks across the country—before diving into the park's wonders.

• Earth-Wreckage

  Witness the aftermath of ancient tectonic shifts that sculpted Big Bend's mountainous terrain, a testament to the earth's geological history and transformation over millions of years.

• A Sea in the Desert

  Delve into Big Bend's fascinating past as a seabed, uncovering marine fossils that tell the story of an ancient ocean that once covered the region, leaving behind its imprint in the desert landscape.

• Devil's Den Hike

  Prepare for a challenging trek through Devil's Den, a rugged limestone canyon boasting breathtaking vistas of the Santiago Mountains, promising an unforgettable adventure for intrepid hikers.

• Santiago Draw

  Traverse the barren expanse of Santiago Draw, once a lush grassland transformed by the presence of trespass livestock, offering insight into the delicate balance between human activity and natural ecosystems.

• Chihuahuan Desert

  Explore the Chihuahuan Desert's surprising diversity, home to over 3,500 plant species—including a quarter of the world's cacti—contradicting traditional perceptions of deserts as barren landscapes.

• The Javelina

  Encounter the javelina, a unique desert dweller with a distinct musky odor, whose survival story reflects the park's conservation efforts and the delicate interplay of predator-prey relationships.

• The Mystery of the Rosillos Mountains

  Unravel the enigma of the Rosillos Mountains' ancient archaeological sites, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, offering glimpses into the region's rich human history and cultural heritage.

• Sierra del Carmen

  Marvel at the rugged beauty of the Sierra del Carmen Mountains, a remote wilderness bordering the park, steeped in history and conservation efforts that have shaped the landscape over centuries.

• First Inhabitants to Chisos

  Trace the footsteps of Big Bend's first inhabitants, from Paleo-Indians to the Chisos tribe, reflecting on their nomadic lifestyles and deep connection to the land.

• The Jumano

  Learn about the Jumano tribe's strategic alliances with Spanish colonizers, serving as mediators between different cultures and facilitating trade routes across the region, shaping the park's cultural landscape.

• You’ve Gone Batty

  Explore the ecological importance of Mexican Long-Nosed Bats, vital pollinators crucial for the survival of desert succulents.

• Hornfels

  Marvel at the toughness of hornfels, metamorphic rocks formed by cooled magma, showcasing nature's resilience and the enduring legacy of geological processes in shaping Big Bend's rugged terrain

• Fossil Discovery Exhibit

  Explore the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, showcasing replicas of prehistoric fossils unearthed in Big Bend, including the massive Quetzalcoatlus bone, offering insight into the park's ancient inhabitants and ecosystems.

• The Mosasaur

  magine Big Bend's ancient seas teeming with formidable creatures like the mosasaur, a fearsome marine reptile that once ruled the prehistoric oceans before the landscape transformed into the desert we see today.

• Avery Canyon

  Delve into the history of Avery Canyon, named after an early rancher, offering a glimpse into the bustling settlements that emerged with the arrival of the railroad and the rugged frontier life in Brewster County.

• Spanish Presidios

  Reflect on the challenges faced by Spanish settlers in establishing missions and presidios along the Rio Grande.

• Colima Warbler

  Discover the avian diversity of Big Bend, home to over 450 bird species, including the elusive Colima Warbler

• King of the Cattle

  Trace the legacy of Mexican cowboys and American settlers who established ranches in Big Bend

• The Comanche Moon

  Recount the challenges posed by Comanche raids on Spanish settlements, evoking the perilous conditions faced by early settlers

• Village Detour Ahead

  Consider embarking on a detour to Rio Grande Village, offering a glimpse into the area's mining history and the remnants of 1800s settlements along the Rio Grande, providing a deeper understanding of the region's past.

• Chisos Mountains

  Marvel at the Chisos Mountains, a verdant oasis amidst the desert landscape of Big Bend, known as a "sky island" for its unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

• Lost Oak of the Chisos

  Learn about the discovery of the rare lateleaf oak in the Chisos Mountains, symbolizing the resilience of nature and the ongoing efforts to conserve and protect Big Bend's unique plant species.

• Chico Cano

  Explore the history of bandit raids and ranching in Big Bend, highlighting the struggles and conflicts that shaped the region's development and the resilience of its early settlers.

• Johnson's Ranch

  Consider the transformation of Johnson's Ranch into an airfield by the U.S. Army Air Corps, reflecting the evolving role of the frontier landscape in response to changing geopolitical and military needs.

• Everett Townsend

  Discover the pivotal role played by Everett Townsend in advocating for the creation of Big Bend National Park.