Through our travels in our motorhome, we've learned a lot about different parts of our beautiful country. One thing we've learned is that everything actually is a lot bigger in Texas — big ranches, big roadways, big cattle, big hats and Big Bend. Not knowing what to expect, we were quite surprised and pleased by Big Bend National Park.

Located in the sparsely-populated area of Southwest Texas, Big Bend Park Headquarters is 69 miles from the nearest town, of which we camped on the outskirts. The two-lane country road is full of neck-jarring dips, but has a 70 mph speed limit. Flash flood signs warn motorists of that danger, and flood gauges are strategically placed, measuring up to 5 feet.

The campground, though graveled, is set behind an adobe-styled wall. A green, grassy courtyard with beautiful flowers and outdoor seating is available for all campers to enjoy. It is a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape of flat, desert scrub.

A rain-filled cistern provides water for the campsites; a constantly-running generator provides the power. Mountains are visible in the distance — a beautiful background framing the full moon at night.

Big Bend National Park is unique in that it includes mountain, desert and river all within its boundaries. There is virtually something for everyone to enjoy — hiking, picnicking, bicycling, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, birding, photography and wildlife-watching.

Jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, lizards, snakes, and toads thrive here. Several species of birds including golden eagles and roadrunners — those crazy-looking birds with a body of a skinny chicken, a head and beak like a woodpecker, and a long-feathered tail like a pheasant that can run as fast as 20 mph, bobbing up and down with each step — "meep meep!"

Even though hiking and exploring Big Bend on foot or bicycle is highly recommended, for those who prefer, there are five different driving tours available, allowing you to explore each area of the park by automobile or RV. You can enjoy these with a park guide or ranger or do the self-guided driving tour.

Roadways are paved and easy to maneuver with several pull-offs and parking areas available. Detailed, outlined maps are available in the Big Bend National Park handbook, which you can find at the park headquarters.

Because Big Bend is located in such a remote area of our country and covers an extremely large area, it is less crowded than other national parks we have visited, so you won't feel rushed or pressured to hurry during your visit. We saw a total of three other cars the entire day on our driving tour, which proved to be relaxing, refreshing and stress-free since we could explore at our own pace.

The Chisos Mountains are located entirely within the park. This beautiful range climbs from 1,800 feet to 7,800 feet and has temperature variations related to these elevations — a welcome respite from the hot and arid desert temperatures below.

A paved, winding roadway curves around the mountain, providing breathtaking scenery at every turn. It's amazing to me how distant mountains are framed between other mountains, nature's own backdrop.

This spectacular drive ends in a parking area with 360 degrees of magnificent views of the distant mountains and the desert below. Each mountain has a particular name, describing each one. My husband's personal favorite is called "Mule Ears," and that is exactly what it looks like.

The mountains range from pointed to rounded; jagged to smooth; rocky, flat-topped and cliff-like. Colors of the mountains vary from muted brown, tan and gray to vibrant red, yellow, black and white. Red, yellow, blue, purple and white wildflowers dot their grassy areas.

But Big Bend is 98 percent desert — the Chihuahuan Desert. Archaeologists have found evidence 9,000 years old in this protected area. Though hot, dry and dusty, during our visit in the month of April, the cactus plants were in full bloom.

Being from the Midwest, we didn't even know that cacti bloomed. The barren desert was full of eye-popping bright colors — pink, yellow, blue and white. What a pleasantly unexpected surprise!

A flowering cactus in Big Bend National Park.


The Rio Grande twists 118 miles through the southern edge of Big Bend National Park. The groundcover is thick, green and lush near the river, in sharp contrast to the flat, brown desert areas. Trees and plants thrive. Some parts are narrow and appear shallow enough to wade across.

At the other end of the park, the Rio Grande widens and flows more rapidly. Deep canyons and nearly vertical limestone-walled cliffs are visible across from it.

Big Bend actually gets its name from where the Rio Grande River curves around the southern tip of Texas; the southeast flow abruptly changing to northeast, forming a "big bend."

Mexico is just across the river. In fact, the Rio Grande is split down the middle with half belonging to Mexico and half belonging to the U.S. It used to be a border crossing until 2002, and guard gates are still in use. We had to go through the border patrol on our way back to the campground after visiting Big Bend.

A visit to Big Bend National Park is well worth the drive. Once there, you can enjoy the aspect of three parks in one.

You can picnic and hike along a mountain trail. In the desert area, you can watch a roadrunner chase a lizard between the cactus plants. You can even fish and canoe in the Rio Grande. And, you can take a driving tour and see all three areas in the span of a day, or take as long as you wish.

Big Bend is as interesting and as enjoyable as you want to make it. Again, I say, it is well worth the drive.