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
Saturday, Mar 21
Sunny
High: 96.8°F | Low: 58.8°F
Humidity: 16%
Wind: 18.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.1
Sunrise: 07:51 AM
Sunset: 08:01 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (5%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 61.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Mar 22
Sunny
High: 92.8°F | Low: 54.1°F
Humidity: 22%
Wind: 19.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.1
Sunrise: 07:50 AM
Sunset: 08:02 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (11%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 58°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Mar 23
Cloudy
High: 82.6°F | Low: 55.2°F
Humidity: 40%
Wind: 17.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.2
Sunrise: 07:49 AM
Sunset: 08:02 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (20%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 56.4°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Fire Weather Watch issued March 21 at 2:43AM CDT until March 23 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Effective: Mar 21, 2026 3:43am
Expires: Mar 21, 2026 3:45pm
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING FOR 20-FT WINDS ABOVE 20 MPH, RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF
15% OR LESS, AND HIGH TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER FOR SOUTHEAST NEW
MEXICO AND MOST OF WEST TEXAS...
* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 4 percent.
* RFTI...2 or elevated.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
* SEVERITY...
FUELS (ERC)...90th+ percentile...5 (out of 5).
WEATHER...Elevated...1 (out of 5).
FIRE ENVIRONMENT...6 (out of 10).
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