Big Bend Ranch State Park

PO Box 2319
Presidio TX 79845
432/358-4444

Welcome to Big Bend Ranch State Park

The Big Bend Ranch State Park is a 269,714-acre state park located on the Rio Grande in Brewster County and Presidio County, Texas. It is the largest state park in Texas. The closest major town is Presidio, Texas, where the state park's head office is located.

Features
Big Bend Ranch is located adjacent to Big Bend National Park and shares the national park's Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. However, in one significant aspect the state park is managed very differently from the nearby national park, as the state park encompasses a network of cattle ranches operated according to the principle of the open range. A herd of longhorn cattle is based here, and there is a semi-annual longhorn roundup.

The Big Bend Ranch manages 23 miles of frontage along the Rio Grande river, and river rafting is popular here. Away from the river, visitors can hike, backpack, go horseback riding or enjoy mountain biking in the Big Bend Ranch's substantial backcountry. The park is open year round and an admission fee is charged.

Flora
Desert vegetation dominates the park including lechuguilla and grama. Other common plants include sotol, ocotillo and mesquite. Along the Rio Grande and around some of the springs in the park are reeds, willows, and cottonwood and ash trees.

Fauna
Common animals in the park include mule deer, javalina and many species of lizard. Rarer animals include the mountain lion, golden eagle, bobcat, peregrine falcon, zone-tailed hawk and western mastiff bat.

The park has picnic areas along the scenic River Road and offers guided jeep/four-wheel and horseback tours. Mountain bike and horse rentals are available at Sauceda. I n addition to many other events the park also offers a semi-annual longhorn cattle roundup.