Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

For 196 miles, this free-flowing stretch of the Rio Grande winds its way through desert expanses and stunning canyons of stratified rock. For the well prepared, an extended float trip provides opportunities to explore the most remote corner of Texas and experience the ultimate in solitude, self-reliance, and immersion in natural soundscapes.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Boating
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Dining
  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Canoeing
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River: Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $30.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

Several highways lead to Big Bend National Park: TX 118 from Alpine to Study Butte or FM 170 from Presidio to Study Butte (then 26 miles east to park headquarters) or US 90 or US 385 to Marathon (then 70 miles south to park headquarters). Distances between towns and services are considerable. Be sure you have plenty of gas, food, water, and supplies for your trip.

Visitor centers

Weather

Variable -- February-April: High temperatures range from mid-70sF (23C) to low-90sF (32C) with lows from the mid-30sF (2C) to mid-50sF (12C). Cold fronts can bring freezing weather with rain or snow. -- May-August: Temperatures are hot and the weather can be stormy. Temperatures over 100F (more than 38C) degrees. -- September-January:Temperatures are cooler. The weather can turn cold any time during these months.

Phone: (432) 477-2251

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

View in Boquillas Canyon
Boquillas Canyon · NPS / G. Fisseler
A desert river with a backdrop of mountains in the distance.
Rio Grande Vista and Crown Mountain · NPS
People in two canoes paddle on a river threading through high canyon walls.
Mariscal Canyon · NPS
A desert river with a tree lined bank in the background.
Rio Grande Vista · NPS
A desert river with a rugged landscape of cliff faces and hills in the background.
Rio Grande · NPS

Pair it with