Chisos Mountains

The Chisos Mountains are a mountain range located in the Big Bend area of West Texas. The mountain range is contained entirely within the boundaries of Big Bend National Park. This is the only mountain range in the United States to be fully contained within the boundary of a National Park. It is also the southernmost mountain range in the United States.The highest point in the Chisos Mountain range is Emory Peak at 7,825 ft (2,385 m) above sea level. The Chisos Mountains are located in Big Bend National Park. The range of mountains extends twenty miles from Punta de la Sierra in the southwest to Panther Junction in the northeast. There are two routes to access the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, campground, general store, and the Chisos Mountain Lodge. (1)Take US HWY 385 S to Panther Junction turn right on Texas State Rt. 118; travel on TX SR 118 for about 3 mi (4.8 km) then turn left on Green Gulch. (2) Take Texas State Rt 118 S to Green Gulch and turn right. An extensive trail system and permit required back country campsites are maintained by Big Bend National Park for its visitors. Some trails and campsites are closed from January through April to protect nesting sites of indigenous bird species. The Chisos mountain area and basin contain most conveniences for the park. Other park service areas are minimal. The mountain area is partly forested (recovering from logging and overgrazing prior to the area's inclusion in the National Park System in the 1930s), and the surrounding area is beautiful Chihuahuan Desert. Nearest towns of consequence are Fort Stockton, 135 miles north, Alpine, 105 mi (169 km) northwest and Presidio, about 100 mi (160 km) west. Two Mexican towns (Boquillas and Santa Elena) border the park; and cross-border access was reopened in 2011.