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Big Bend National Park is a place where you can get away from civilization. You will see nighttime skies filled with an unbelievable amount of stars and daylight vistas that extend for hundreds of miles. It is a wonderful place to get away from it all.
However, you do pay a price. Visiting Big Bend National Park takes some planning and a lot of patience. Located in deep West Texas, right on the border of the United States and Mexico, the park is hundreds of miles from the nearest large cities and airports. There is no mass transportation to or within the park. Opportunities for food, water and fuel can be limited.
As we said, it is worth it. You just have to plan ahead and keep an eye on the gas gauge and map. Sometimes, it is a long way between gas stations and rest stops.
We've put together some information on the ways to get to Big Bend National Park.
driving | flying | train
Driving
Most of you will be driving. Here are the three main routes to Big Bend National Park. All directions are provded by Google, and distances are to the Panther Junction Park headquarters.
El Paso to Big Bend National Park
Take Interstate 10 east to State Highway 385.
Head south on SH 385 to Park Route 12.
Turn left and stay on Park Route 12 to the park headquarters.
354 miles/570km - Approximate time 7 hours and 30 minutes
For Google directions and map click here.
San Antonio to Big Bend National Park
Take Interstate 10 west to State Highway 385.
Head south on SH 385 to Park Route 12
Turn left and stay on Park Route 12 to the park headquarters.
460 miles - Approximate time 9 hours
For Google directions and map click here.
Dallas/Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park
Take Interstate 20 west to State Highway 385.
Head south on SH 385 to Park Route 12
Turn left and stay on Park Route 12 to the park headquarters.
587 miles - Approximate time 11 hours.
For Google directions and map click here.
Flying
The closest airport is the Midland International Airport, which is served by American Eagle, Continental Airlines and Southwest Airlines. It is about 245 miles from park headquarters, approximately six hours driving time. Google map and directions
El Paso International Airport is served by American Airlines, Continental Airlines, New Mexico Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. It is about 350 miles, some 71/2 hours driving time. Google map and directions
San Antonio International Airport offers the most service and the longest drive. It is served by Aeromexico Connect, Aermar, Airtran, American Airlines, ASA, Comair, Continental Airlines, Continental Express, Delta Airlines, Frontier, Mexicana, Northwest, Skywest, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. Google map and directions
Train
Amtrak's Texas Eagle provides railroad passenger service to Alpine, where you may rent a car and drive to the park. Amtrak website - download Texas Eagle Timetable
Download Google Earth Placemark
From the Google Earth website:
Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country.
Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.(http://earth.google.com)