Getting There & Around

Getting There & Around

Big Bend is 39 mi south of Marathon, off U.S. 385; 76 mi south of Alpine, off Route 118; and 50 mi east of Presidio, off Route 170. The nearest airport is in Midland, 3½ hours north of the park. The bus takes you as far as Marathon, and the train as far as Alpine.

Paved park roads have twists and turns, some very extreme in higher elevations; RVs and trailers longer than 20 feet should avoid the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on the park's west side and the Chisos Basin Road into higher elevations in Big Bend's central portion. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are needed for many of the backcountry roads. At parking areas take valuables with you.