Top Reasons to Go to Big Bend National Park

Varied terrain: Visit gilded desert, a fabled river, bird-filled woods, and mountain spirals all in the same day.

Wonderful wildlife: Catch sight of the park's extremely diverse number of animals, including approximately two dozen shy mountain lions and eight to twelve lumbering bears.

Bird-watching: Spy a pied-billed grebe or another member of the park's more than 400 bird species, including the Lucifer hummingbird and the unique-to-this-area pato mexicano (Mexican duck).

Hot spots: Dip into the natural hot springs (105°F) near Rio Grande Village.

Mile-high mountains: Lace up those hiking boots and climb the Chisos Mountains, reaching almost 8,000 feet skyward in some places and remaining cool even during the most scorching Southern summer.