Big Bend National Park is in southwest Texas and includes the entire Chisos mountain range and a large swath of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive leads to the ruins of Sam Nail Ranch, now home to desert wildlife. The Santa Elena Canyon, carved by the Rio Grande, features steep limestone cliffs. Langford Hot Springs, near the Mexican border, has pictographs and the foundations of an old bathhouse.
Named for the giant Rio Grande bend that carves out its southern border, Big Bend National Park is located more than 100 miles from the nearest freeway, hospital or shopping mall. And spring is the ideal time to visit this remote Texas park, as not only is the desert filled with colorful wildflower blooms, but the temperatures are also fairly mild. And despite its seemingly inhospitable environment, Big Bend also boasts wheelchair-accessible trails, overlooks, scenic drives and even an accessible overnight lodging option. In short Big Bend is the perfect road trip stop for wheelchair-users and slow walkers, who want to ditch the crowds and enjoy the wide open spaces of the Lone Star State.
Panther Junction Visitor Center
Has reserved parking and is accessible by ramp. The restrooms, exhibit area, bookstore, information desk, and drinking fountain are wheelchair-accessible. A large relief map of the park is available and can be touched. A TDD is available on request. Rangers are on duty to answer questions and assist visitors.
Chisos Basin Visitor Center
Has reserved parking and is accessible by ramp. The exhibits, restrooms, and drinking fountain are wheelchair-accessible. Information is available in a variety of formats including audio and visual. Exhibits are available in English and Spanish.
Persimmon Gap Visitor Center
Has reserved parking and is accessible by ramp. Exhibits, bookstore, restrooms, and drinking fountain are wheelchair-accessible. Also features a touch exhibit with animal furs, fossils, and plants.
Rio Grande Village Visitor Center
Has reserved parking and is accessible by ramp. A large relief map of the area is touchable. The exhibit area, bookstore, and restrooms are designed for wheelchair-accessibility.
Fossil Discovery Exhibit
Has reserved parking and is accessible by ramp. The exhibits and vault toilet are wheelchair-accessible.
Cottonwood Campground
at Castolon has wheelchair-accessible vault toilets. Although campsites are not accessible, most are very level and useable by people in wheelchairs.
Chisos Basin Campground
site #37 is fully accessible for wheelchair users. The adjoining restroom is also accessible. Other sites near the accessible restroom are flat and smooth and may be suitable for wheelchairs or individuals with mobility challenges.
Rio Grande Village Campground
site #14 is fully accessible. The adjoining restroom is also accessible. Other sites near the accessible restroom are flat and smooth and may be suitable for wheelchairs or individuals with mobility challenges.
Picnic Areas
Trails
Panther Path, a short, self-guiding nature trail at Panther Junction, is accessible to wheelchairs. Chihuahuan Desert plants are labeled with trail signs.
Window View Trail, a 0.3 mile self-guiding trail in the Chisos Basin is fully accessible to wheelchairs, and provides outstanding views of the window formation and the Chisos Mountains.
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail Boardwalk (the first 0.25 mile of the trail), is wheelchair accessible. It is a short, wide dirt trail that leads to a boardwalk. This area is an excellent place for observing birds and aquatic plants and animals.
Vault Toilets
There are accessible vault toilets at Daniels Ranch near Rio Grande Village campground, at the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center, and at the Sotol Vista overlook on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Vault toilets at the Boquillas Canyon, Santa Elena Canyon, and Hot Springs trailhead areas are accessible, although rugged terrain precludes wheelchairs on the trails.
Programs
Rio Grande Village Amphitheater is wheelchair-accessible. Rangers frequently present evening programs in winter and spring.
Chisos Basin Amphitheater is accessible by a dirt ramp, although some grades are steep due to rugged terrain. The amphitheater itself is designed for wheelchair use. Rangers present evening programs there on a periodic basis year-round.
Panther Junction Theater is fully accessible.
Panther Junction Community Room is fully accessible for scheduled events.
Cottonwood Amphitheater is wheelchair-accessible. Rangers occasionally present evening programs there in winter and spring.
Nature Walks presented on the Window View Trail are accessible. Most other guided walks are not wheelchair-accessible due to rough terrain.
Check weekly activity schedules for information regarding the accessibility of other ranger-led activities.
Scenic Overlooks
Most scenic overlooks and wayside exhibits are accessible to wheelchair users. Where possible, reserved parking is provided.
