THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Tex. – In early October, Big Bend National Park and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will initiate targeted wildlife management actions to protect native desert bighorn sheep. The project aims to reduce the population of non-native Barbary sheep, or aoudad, within the park, continuing the annual collaboration between the park and TPWD.
Official NPS source
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – Big Bend National Park will cut down and apply herbicide to invasive tamarisk along the Rio Grande, including the Hot Springs area, February 12-28.
Official NPS source
Big Bend National Park, Texas—On December 23, 2025, the water pumps at Oak Spring failed completely. These pumps supply water to the Chisos Basin developed area from Oak Spring, the only water source for the Chisos Basin. The park immediately enacted Stage 2 water restrictions to conserve the water stored in the Chisos Basin water tanks.
Official NPS sourceBIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – A new National Park Service report shows that in 2024, 561 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $56.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting Big Bend National Park. These expenditures supported a total of 585 jobs, $17.3 million in labor income, $34.4 million in value added, and $63.7 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Big Bend National Park.
Official NPS source
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – In early October, Big Bend National Park will implement targeted management actions to protect native desert bighorn sheep by reducing the population of non-native Barbary sheep (aoudad) within the park. This is a continuation of the park’s annual aoudad management in collaboration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD).
Official NPS source
Construction projects in the Chisos Basin to replace the Chisos Mountains Lodge and the entire water distribution system have a revised start date of May 1, 2026.
Official NPS source
The Big Bend area of Texas received significant amounts of rainfall during the past few days, causing flash floods, wet conditions, and flooding along the Rio Grande.
Official NPS source
The Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico will change to the summer schedule beginning Monday, May 5th. The crossing will be open four days a week, Fridays through Mondays.
Official NPS source
While hiking in Big Bend National Park, two park employees encountered a tiny plant that they didn’t recognize. Further investigation has now revealed that it is a species previously unknown to science.
Official NPS source
Beginning February 1st and continuing through April 18, the National Park Service will temporarily close a portion of the East Rim Trail in the Chisos Mountains to protect nesting falcons.
Official NPS source
On Wednesday, November 27, a group of hikers reported a seriously injured visitor at the summit of Emory Peak. A Park Ranger was airlifted by helicopter to the scene and located the body of a 35-year-old man from Florence, TX. Cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Official NPS source
From November 11 to November 12, a team will be cutting down and applying herbicide to invasive salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) in the Hot Springs area. During this time, visitors may encounter a temporary closure along the river from Gravel Pit to Hot Springs Canyon. Work is not expected to affect visitor access to the historic Hot Springs.
Official NPS source
On Monday, October 28, after an aerial and ground search by NPS rangers and U.S. Border Patrol supported by helicopters from the TX Department of Public Safety and U.S. Customs Air and Marine Operations, searchers located the body of a 24-year-old hiker along the Marufo Vega Trail.
Official NPS sourceThe Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico, will change to the winter schedule beginning Monday, November 4. The crossing will be open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday.
Official NPS source
Construction work on significant improvements to the Chisos Basin area of the park will begin Summer 2025. As work begins, the Chisos Basin area will be closed to visitor entry. This includes the Basin Road, lodging units, Basin Campground, restaurant, NPS visitor center, camper store, and trails within the Basin area.
Official NPS source
On October 9-10, biologists will be conducting helicopter surveys for bighorn sheep and aoudad control in Big Bend National Park. The remote Deadhorse Mountains and Mesa de Anguila areas will be temporarily closed during this time.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that in 2023, 509 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $48.7 million in local gateway regions while visiting Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has selected Anjna O’Connor as superintendent of Big Bend National Park. O’Connor will begin her new assignment on May 19.
Official NPS sourceThe Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico will change to the summer schedule beginning Sunday, April 28. Starting Friday, May 3, the crossing will be open four days a week, Fridays through Mondays.
Official NPS sourceOn Wednesday, March 20, the park received reports of an injured visitor along the Grapevine Hills Road. Responding rangers located the body of an 80-year-old man from Alpine, TX. The scene was investigated by the National Park Service, FBI, and Texas Rangers and the cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Official NPS sourceJoin acting Park Superintendent Chad Tinney and park staff to learn about the upcoming demolition/construction of the new Chisos Mountains Lodge, and discussion about changes to public access to the Chisos Basin area during the two-year project. Meetings in Terlingua 3/25 and Alpine 3/28.
Official NPS source
Spring in the Chihuahuan Desert lures many visitors to remote West Texas, especially during the months of March and April. Big Bend is experiencing record visitation and those who anticipate spending spring break 2024 in the park will need to plan ahead and be prepared.
Official NPS source
Beginning Monday, February 26 crews will be making emergency repairs along the main park entrance road. Visitors accessing Big Bend National Park from Highway 118 to the western entrance near Study Butte/Terlingua will encounter single lane traffic and delays of up to 1 hour.
Official NPS sourceFrom February 8 to February 10, a team will be cutting down and applying herbicide to invasive salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) in the Hot Springs area. During this time, visitors may encounter a temporary closure along the river from Gravel Pit to Hot Springs Canyon.
Official NPS source
Beginning February 1st and continuing through May 31st, the National Park Service (NPS) will again temporarily close select areas in the Chisos Mountains to protect nesting falcons.
Official NPS source
On Sunday, December 24 Big Bend National Park rangers responded to the Chisos Mountains Lodge where a male visitor had collapsed and was unresponsive. Despite extended CPR and the use of an AED, all efforts to resuscitate the patient were unsuccessful.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service announced today the selection of Casa Grande Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark, to provide concession services within Big Bend National Park.
Official NPS source
At approximately 9:30 am on November 17, search teams located 25-year-old Christy Perry who was reported missing since November 9 in Big Bend National Park.
Official NPS source
The search for a missing hiker, Christy Perry, continues today. Christy Perry is a 25-year-old female, 5' 2" tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has brown hair and a fair complexion. Her last known location was the beginning of the Lost Mine Trail.
Official NPS sourceA search is currently underway for a hiker reported missing after her family reported that she did not return home from a trip to Big Bend National Park. Christy Perry is a 25-year-old female, 5' 2" tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has brown hair and a fair complexion. She was last seen at the Lost Mine Trail.
Official NPS source
Park Ranger Cathy Buckingham was recently recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for achieving 20 consecutive years of National EMS Certification. This distinction is an honor held by very few EMS professionals.
Official NPS sourceThe Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico, will change to the winter schedule beginning Thursday, November 2. The crossing will be open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. 9a-5p
Official NPS sourceDuring the first two weeks of October, biologists will be conducting helicopter surveys for bighorn sheep and aoudad in Big Bend National Park. The Deadhorse Mountains and surrounding areas, including the Dagger Flat Road and Old Ore Road will be temporarily closed starting October 3.
Official NPS source
For their contributions to rejuvenate wilderness designation efforts at Big Bend National Park, a grassroots group of citizens known as “Keep Big Bend Wild” is the recipient of the 2023 NPS Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award, in the External Partner category.
Official NPS source
A new report shows that in 2022, 514,000 visitors spent over $48 million in local gateway regions while visiting Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River. The spending supported 659 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $56 million.
Official NPS sourceOn June 23, during 119 degree extreme heat, Big Bend National Park’s Communications Center received a call for emergency assistance along the Marufo Vega Trail. Rangers and Border Patrol Agents located a 14 year old boy deceased along the trail, and soon after located the stepfather deceased at the scene of a crashed vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.
Official NPS source
From June 3 to June 7, a team of biologists and resource staff will be applying herbicide to control non-native giant cane along the river in the Rio Grande Village area. During this time, visitors may encounter temporary closures in affected areas. The Rio Grande Village boat ramp will remain open, and use of the river will not be closed.
Official NPS source
On May 9 through May 11, Big Bend National Park fire managers will conduct a 149-acre prescribed burn along the Rio Grande. During this project, visitors will encounter a temporary closure of the road to Boquillas Canyon.
Official NPS sourceThe Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico will change to the summer schedule beginning Monday, May 1st. The port will be open four days a week, Friday through Monday.
Official NPS source
On Monday, March 6, Big Bend National Park’s Communications Center received a call requesting emergency assistance for a hiker along the Hot Springs Canyon Trail. A team of Park Rangers and a U.S. Border Patrol Agent responded and immediately began CPR. Unfortunately, all attempts to revive the hiker were unsuccessful.
Official NPS sourceFrom March 3 to March 5, a team will be cutting down and applying herbicide to invasive salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) in the Hot Springs Canyon area. During this time, visitors may encounter a temporary closure along the river from Gravel Pit to Daniels Ranch.
Official NPS source
Spring in the Chihuahuan Desert has always lured many visitors to remote West Texas, especially during the months of March and April. Big Bend is already experiencing record visitation and those who anticipate spending spring break 2023 in the park will need to plan ahead and be prepared.
Official NPS source
A quick response from Big Bend National Park fire personnel halted a small wildfire caused by wind-downed power lines in the Chisos Mountains.
Official NPS source
On the afternoon of February 18, Big Bend National Park received notice of a 56-year-old male experiencing chest pains while hiking the Pinnacles Trail. All attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.
Official NPS source
Over 99 square miles of rugged mountains and sweeping desert expanses in the northern reaches of Big Bend National Park have been determined eligible for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This administrative determination does not make a recommendation to Congress for designation and has no impact on public use, nor does it change current management. Rather, it recognizes the wilderness characteristics of these lands which had not previously been assessed.
Official NPS sourceBeginning February 1st and continuing through May 31st, the National Park Service (NPS) will again temporarily close select areas in the Chisos Mountains to protect nesting falcons.
Official NPS source
Commnet Four Corners, LLC (Commnet) has requested a special use permit to build a new communication tower in the Panther Junction developed area. The NPS is seeking public comments on this proposal through January 15, 2023.
Official NPS sourceThe Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Coahuila, Mexico, as well as the Mexican Protected Areas of Maderas del Carmen and Ocampo, will change to the winter schedule beginning Wednesday, November 2. The crossing will be open five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Official NPS sourceDuring the week of October 10th, the National Park Service (NPS) will continue with ongoing measures to protect desert bighorn sheep in Big Bend National Park, which includes reducing the population of non-native aoudad (Barbary sheep). Some remote sections of the park will be closed during this operation.
Official NPS source
Many of the park's primitive dirt roads and a portion of the paved Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and Lost Mine Trail have reopened following damage from heavy monsoon rains. High water flows are expected this weekend along the Rio Grande.
Official NPS source
On Saturday, heavy rains resulted in damage to both the Lost Mine Trail and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The Lost Mine Trail will remain closed until trail crews can repair the damaged section. The Ross Maxwell Drive is now closed south of Mule Ears Overlook until road crews can repair the road and make it safe for vehicle traffic.
Official NPS source
UPDATE 9-12: Campground Reopened The Chisos Basin Campground and Chisos Basin Group Campground in Big Bend National Park are closed to public use until further notice.
Official NPS source
Park visitors now have an additional opportunity to enjoy the wide-open spaces of Big Bend along a brand new hiking trail. The Lone Mountain Trail now offers a moderately challenging 3-mile loop that circumnavigates the base of Lone Mountain, an imposing feature just north of park headquarters at Panther Junction.
Official NPS source
On the evening of July 21, Big Bend National Park received notice of a fatality along the Chimneys Trail. Rangers responded, and a deceased 75-year-old male from Houston was located approximately ½ mile from the trailhead. There was no obvious cause of death.
Official NPS source
Effective immediately, the Window Trail in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park is closed to public use until further notice. This emergency closure is due to significantly increased bear activity in the narrow trail corridor.
Official NPS source
On Thursday July 7, 2022, Big Bend National Park’s surplus Wildland Fire Engine 864 was transferred to the Marathon Fire Department. Engine 864 is a 2011 Ford F-550 that is classified as a Type 6 Wildland Fire Engine, designed for use in rural settings and used in initial attack on wildfires
Official NPS source
Researchers from a coalition of institutions have identified a living specimen of an oak that was presumed extinct for more than a decade: Quercus tardifolia (Q. tardifolia). The tree in Big Bend National Park in Texas is in dire condition, facing fungal infection and elevated fire risk due to climate change. Work is underway in collaboration with the National Park Service to reduce immediate threats.
Official NPS source
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 581,220 visitors to Big Bend National Park in 2021 spent over $53 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 726 jobs in the area and had a cumulative benefit to the West Texas economy of $61 million.
Official NPS sourceLast week a federal jury found Hector Flores Jr. of Fort Stockton, TX guilty of one count of endangerment of a child. This case began in Big Bend National Park in January 2022 when National Park Rangers found an abandoned vehicle and a initiated a search for Flores and a nine-year-old child.
Official NPS sourceFrom May 29 to June 1, resource staff will be applying herbicide to control non-native giant cane (Arundo donax) in the area around Rio Grande Village. During this time, there will be a temporary closure along the river from Daniels Ranch picnic area to the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail.
Official NPS source
On April 21, the National Park Service hosted a virtual “first look” presentation on the current status and future of the Chisos Mountains Lodge. A recording of the presentation is now available for online viewing.
Official NPS source
A wildfire on the remote South Rim of the Chisos Mountains that started on Wednesday, April 20th was officially declared contained at 30 acres on Thursday afternoon.
Official NPS source
A wildfire is currently active in the rugged and remote South Rim area of the Chisos Mountains. The fire is estimated at 1.5 acres in size. Crews will be working to contain the fire today.
Official NPS source
To celebrate National Park Week, Big Bend National Park staff invite you to participate in a special virtual presentation on Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 PM Central for a special “first look” on the current status and future of the Chisos Mountains Lodge.
Official NPS sourceThe Boquillas Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park, providing access to the town of Boquillas, Mexico, will change to the summer schedule beginning Sunday, May 1st. The port will be open Friday through Monday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Official NPS sourceDuring the week of April 11th, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be surveying bighorn sheep and aoudad (Barbary sheep) in Big Bend National Park. TPWD biologists will be using a helicopter in the remote Mesa de Anguila area of the park to search for both species.
Official NPS sourceOn April 6th and 7th, Big Bend National Park staff plan to initiate a 43-acre prescribed burn along the Rio Grande to control exotic giant cane. During this time, there will be temporary closures in the Daniel’s Ranch area, the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail, and the Rio Grande Village boat launch.
Official NPS source
On Monday, March 28 at approximately 4:20 PM, park rangers responded to a 53-year-old female hiker in medical distress. All attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.
Official NPS source