The Rio Grande within Big Bend National Park recently reached record or near record flood levels as a result of a tropical depression and large amounts of rain in the park, the area, and within the Rio Conchos water basin. The resulting flood waters covered parts of the road between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon, Cottonwood Campground,  Rio Grande Village Campground, and the boat ramps at the east and west end of the park.

In the weeks following this September event, the park has made considerable progress towards re-opening, cleaning, and re-establishing the use of these visitor areas. Work to clean up the mud and silt deposited is continuing every day.

Currently, most or all facilities are open and available, but some facilities have temporary services in place while the permanent facilities are being repaired. This includes the campground at Rio Grande Village, where significant amounts of mud were deposited and are being cleaned up and removed. Some of the permanent campsites will be cleaned and re-opened in the near future, while other temporary sites have been established for visitor camping. The RV park (with hookups) in Rio Grande Village has been re-opened as well. On the park’s west side, the road to the Santa Elena Canyon boat ramp has been re-opened from the east, and the Maverick Road to the canyon overlook is currently open. The trail to Santa Elena Canyon is under repair and closed for the time being. The same is currently true of the Hot Springs Trail and road.

Visitors are advised to check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/bibe for the latest updates or to call for the most current information.

“We are very pleased with the progress that our maintenance staff is making toward the cleanup efforts and also grateful for the support of our sister parks, which are Fort Davis and Amistad. Both parks have staff onsite who are assisting in our effort,” stated Superintendent Bill Wellman.

Visitors are advised to plan ahead for the busy Thanksgiving holiday period, since the number of campsites within the park has been temporarily somewhat reduced.  Contact www.recreation.gov to reserve a site in the Chisos Basin Campground. New reservations will not be accepted for the campsites in the Rio Grande Village Campground until mid-December, and two-thirds of the sites in the Chisos Basin Campground will also be first come, first served.  There are opportunities at private campgrounds located outside each park entrance.