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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 212 | What's Going On At Big Bend?

By Jess Repanshek - March 5th, 2023
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Big Bend National Park is not simply a park that you pass along the way. Located in West Texas along the US/Mexico border, this 1,252-square-mile park is five hours from the closest commercial airport. In other words, you must make Big Bend your final destination if you’re going to visit. You’re not going to just happen upon it as you drive down the road. But once there, you’re likely to be astounded by the ruggedness, the beauty of the Chisos Mountain Range that falls entirely within the borders of the national park, and the rich cultural history preserved here.

Aside from the natural beauty of Big Bend, there’s a lot going on there that’s going to affect most visitors. There’s work to design a new lodge. There’s the question of whether an official wilderness designation should be applied to some of the park's landscape. And there are staffing issues, and even wildlife issues. The Traveler’s Lynn Riddick traveled to Big Bend to discuss these issues and more with Superintendent Bob Krumenaker.

The Traveler podcast's first visit to Big Bend was covered in Episode 151 and Episode 152

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode Intro with Kurt Repanshek
1:06 Escalante - Tim Heintz - The Sounds of Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons
1:20 The Everglades Foundation
1:32 Potrero Group
1:59 Great Smoky Mountains Association
2:25 Lynn Riddick sits down with Big Bend National Park Superintendent Bob Krumenaker to get an update on the park.
14:29 The Road Scholar - Bill Mize - The Spirit of South Dakota
14:41 Traveler Promo
14:54 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
15:14 Washington’s National Park Fund
15:47 Yosemite Conservancy
16:12 Lynn's Big Bend update with Superintendent Krumenaker continues.
25:38 The Offering - Bill Mize - The Sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains
25:49 Interior Federal Credit Union
26:07 Grand Teton National Park Foundation
26:36 Friends of Acadia
27:04 Lynn's Big Bend update with Superintendent Krumenaker continues.
40:30 Black Woods - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
41:05 Episode Closing
41:32 Orange Tree Productions
42:04 Splitbeard Productions
42:14 National Parks Traveler footer

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The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.