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Big Bend Ranch State Park

Over a quarter million acres to horseback ride, raft, mountain bike and camp under a blanket of stars. The largest state park isn’t just grand in size, it’s full of grand adventure.

Welcome to the Other Side of Nowhere!

Big Bend Ranch State Park, the largest state park in Texas, lies over more than 300,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert wilderness in a remarkably rugged, remote and unpopulated setting. The park extends along the Rio Grande from southeast of Presidio to near Lajitas in both Brewster and Presidio Counties. Embracing some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the Southwest, it encompasses two mountain ranges containing ancient extinct volcanoes, precipitous canyons, and waterfalls. The area has been a crossroads of human activities for over 11,000 years, as diverse people and cultures have been drawn by the abundant resources of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corridor. If you are looking for a wild west experience, Big Bend Ranch State Park has an abundance of options.

Park permits for backpacking and camping (no hookups) are available at the park's two visitor centers--Fort Leaton State Historic Site to the west, near Presidio; and Barton Warnock Visitor Center, on the eastern edge of the park near Lajitas. Visitors can also purchase river-use permits, licenses, and information about the Big Bend region.

Things to Do

Hiking & Mountain Biking

Trails provide the only means of accessing many areas within Big Bend Ranch State Park, and allow visitors an intimate rapport with the outdoors. With an extensive network of interconnected multiuse trails, the system strives to capture the spirit of the land by offering trails that are historical, scenic and educational, and offer varying levels of accessibility and challenge to people of all ages and abilities.

Due to rough terrain some of the park’s trails are suitable for hiking only. Many trails are available for mountain bikers and equestrians as well. Refer to the park map or speak with a ranger for details. If you do not have a bike, rentals are available at the Sauceda Visitor Center or through local outfitters. When biking, always wear a helmet and carry two spare tubes. Carry plenty of water and wear appropriate, protective clothing. Most importantly, have fun!

Horseback Riding

Horseback represents another way to view and appreciate Big Bend Ranch. So saddle up and explore almost 300,000 acres in the Chihuahuan Desert. Equestrian activities are allowed in all areas of the park unless specifically excluded. All pack and saddle stock users must obtain a backcountry use permit, whether for day use or overnight. Equestrians must bring their own weed-free horse feed. All horses must have documentation of a current Coggins test.

  • Horseback rides are offered at the Sauceda Ranch Headquarters, with park staff guiding visitors through some of the park's canyon trails.
  • Longhorn Cattle Drives allow you to experience life on a working ranch by going out on horseback into the rugged country of the ranch and driving the longhorns to ranch headquarters.
  • For information and reservations, please call the park office at (432) 358-4444.

4X4 Touring

The unpaved roads within BBRSP were constructed to support public commerce and settlement, fence building, waterline construction, livestock production, and for mineral prospecting and mining. Today, nearly 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads are available to those who are adequately prepared for 4X4 adventures.

River Access

The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corridor is an easily accessible area of the park for day use, including rafting, canoeing and free bank fishing. Several river access points are found within the park along FM 170. Colorado Canyon includes Class II and Class III rapids. This section of the river is not considered dangerous under normal flow conditions. The walls of Colorado Canyon, unlike the limestone canyons of Big Bend National Park and the Lower Canyons, are composed entirely of igneous rock. Raft trips may be arranged through local outfitters in Terlingua and Study Butte.

Rock Viewing

The primary attraction of the Big Bend country is its scenery, and here, scenery is geology. The mountains, canyons, plateaus, rivers and waterfalls are all the direct result of geologic processes of mountain building, volcanism, rock formation, subsequent faulting, folding, weathering and erosion. Geology and resultant landforms ultimately determine where and how the region’s plants, animals and humans live. So as you soak up the scenery, remember that you are looking far back into geologic time — a long chronicle of earth history.

Bird Watching

Big Bend Ranch State Park offers the opportunity to explore Chihuahuan Desert habitats including grasslands, desert scrub, canyons, and riparian woodlands and thickets.

Commercially Guided Tours and Outfitters

Bend Ranch State Park can promote public access for those individuals apprehensive of such a primitive site or who may be looking for a recreational experience that they are unable to facilitate themselves. Potential services may include: equestrian trips, river rafting, mountain bike tours, campouts, nature/birding hikes and art and photography classes.

P.O. Box 2319
Presidio, TX 79845

Latitude: 29.418054

Longitude: -103.989751

(432) 358-4444

Reserve by phone: (512) 389-8919
Reserve by fax

Entrance Fees
  • Adult (Peak): $5 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under : Free
  • Adult (Non-peak): $3 Daily
Gate Hours

Open 7 days a week year-round.

Office Hours

Sauceda HQ 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily

Park information and permits for day use and camping may be obtained in person Sauceda HQ, Fort Leaton State Historic Site and Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center.

Elevation

2,350 to over 5,000 feet

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