Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
Designation: Wild & Scenic River
Location: Texas
📘 Park 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.
🌤 Weather Information
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.
🚗 Directions
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.
Images
Floating through Boquillas Canon
Credit: NPS / G. Fisseler
A float through the canyons can be a magical experience.
Credit: NPS / G. Fisseler
Rio Grande Vista and Crown Mountain
Credit: NPS
Canoeing Mariscal Canyon
Credit: NPS
Rio Grande Vista
Credit: NPS
The Rio Grande seen from the Santa Elena River Access.
Credit: NPS
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, Jul 28
Sunny
High: 98.4°F | Low: 74.7°F
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 21.7 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 11.8
Sunrise: 07:06 AM
Sunset: 08:45 PM
Moon: Full Moon (100%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 75.1°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Jul 29
Sunny
High: 97.8°F | Low: 75.9°F
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 21.5 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 11.8
Sunrise: 07:06 AM
Sunset: 08:44 PM
Moon: Full Moon (99%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 76°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Jul 30
Sunny
High: 98.3°F | Low: 77.1°F
Humidity: 41%
Wind: 21.3 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 11.9
Sunrise: 07:07 AM
Sunset: 08:43 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (96%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 76.3°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Heat Advisory issued July 28 at 12:40AM CDT until July 28 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Effective: Jul 28, 2026 1:40am
Expires: Jul 28, 2026 10:00pm
* WHAT...Temperatures up to 98.
* WHERE...Chisos Basin.
* WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Pets may succumb to the effects of extreme heat. The
elderly, very young, sick, and people with heart conditions are
most at risk in extreme heat.
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
1 Panther Junction
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
🏤 Mailing Address:
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
c/o Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
📞 Voice Phone: (432) 477-2251
✉️ Email: bibe_info@nps.gov