Spring in Big Bend National Park can be a crowded season/NPS

With spring break spreading across the country, now might be a good time to postpone your trip to Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Park staff say warm weather, desert wildflowers, and spring break are in alignment, meaning crowds are descending on the park. Visitors should be prepared for full campgrounds and lodging. 

Large numbers of visitors historically travel to Big Bend during spring break, a typical vacation away from school. As travelers seek solace from stressful educational routines, and escape wintry conditions, the park experiences increases in visitation to the point of periodic congestion. Fall and winter rains have also resulted in spectacular spring flowers, attracting abundant desert enthusiasts.

“If the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend is any indication, our expectations are for an extremely busy spring break this year, which is anticipated to extend through the month of March,” said the park's chief of interpretation, Tom VandenBerg. 

The busiest time during spring break this year will be March 7 through 24, when most of the Texas public schools and universities are scheduled to be closed for the break. “Many people will make an effort to come to the park early to beat the rush, only to find that many other people have also planned to do the same thing," said VandenBerg. 

During the extended spring break period, the demand for campsites and overnight lodging will be far greater than the number of campsites and rooms available within the park, according to park staff. All campgrounds and primitive campsites have already been filling each day by late morning. Backcountry permits are required for backpacking and primitive campsites. Permits may be obtained in person up to 24 hours in advance at the Panther Junction (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Chisos Basin (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) visitor centers. 

Visitors seeking lodging without reservations may have difficulty finding a room. The Chisos Mountains Lodge, the only lodging facility in the park, reports that few reservations are available. A fortunate few may be able to take advantage of last-minute cancellations. Potential visitors should call the lodge at (432) 477-2291 for more information. Additional camping facilities, RV parks, and lodging are located in communities outside the park. Reservations should be made in advance. 

"March is a fantastic time to visit, but also the busiest month of the year in the park, and many visitors are both surprised and disappointed when campsites are not available," said VandenBerg. “We wish to encourage people to also visit during other times of the year to maximize enjoyment of Big Bend, and the remote sense of peacefulness that it is known for."