The Ultimate Guide to Big Bend National Park

Some tips for visiting Big Bend National Park:

-Big Bend is one of the most remote and least visited parks in the country-- it usually sees between 325,000 tourists a year. Compared to the 10 million people who visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the 4.8 million who visited The Grand Canyon National Park, that's basically nothing. There are pros and cons to visiting a park this remote: there less amenities, sure, but there are also fewer people. Just come prepared with extra supplies and plenty of knowledge. -Big Bend is an International Dark Sky Park, one of only 10 in the whole world-- it's the best park in the lower 48 for astronomers to check out the Milky Way. There's barely any light pollution, and you can see over 2,000 stars on any given night (compared to a few hundred in most small cities). -You still need to reserve campsites and rooms in advance at Big Bend... there are less spots to stay here compared to most other parks! -The wildlife in Big Bend is incredibly unique. Prepare to experience it! wear good shoes and keep your eyes peeled for snakes. Also, if you're camping, make sure to secure food and valuables, as pig-like collared peccaries (also known as javalenas) roam the campgrounds in search of stuff to eat.

Big Bend is famed for its hiking... and it's also pretty notorious for its extreme heat, which frequently tops out at around 100 degrees. You'll probably want a place to relax and unwind after hiking and luckily, Big Bend has the perfect spot... a Hot Spring! The primitive springs are perfect for soaking after a long hike through the scenic desert, and the water is always at a perfectly relaxing 105 degrees. Ahhh!

Back in Marfa, you can add a bit of the unexplained to your adventure. The Marfa Lights have been an unsolved mystery for decades. The unexplained phenomenon is most often described as an orb or serval orbs that glow intensely and can either remain stationary, dart around, or even split into multiple orbs-- they're often white or yellow but have been seen as green, blue, and red. They often are first mistaken for car headlights... until they start moving in unnatural ways.

There's an official viewing center off Highway 90 where you have a good chance of seeing it for yourself.

While you're in Marfa, head to Planet Marfa. It's a tiny little beer garden with a vintage school bus, a tepee, and tons of games like ping pong. They offer some bar bites and mostly domestic beers, so expect a chill, fun evening if you journey out here.