The 5 Visitor Centers of Big Bend: What You Need to Know

Elliot, Ollie, and I recently went camping in Big Bend National Park and had a blast hiking its trails, stargazing at night, and even exploring Boquillas, Mexico. While exploring, we visited the park’s visitor centers, which served as essential points of contact for up-to-date trail info, bathroom breaks, and shady picnic spots. In this guide, we’ve listed all 5 Big Bend National Park Visitor Centers, highlighted nearby attractions, and detailed their varying amenities so you know what to expect.

🗺️ Map of Big Bend National Park Visitor Centers

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

1. Panther Junction Visitor Center

📍 Close to: Fossil Discovery Exhibit, The Window via Grapevine Hills Trail, Maverick Junction Park Entrance

The Panther Junction Visitor Center is the main visitor center in Big Bend National Park and the best place to start your trip. Since it’s located near the main Maverick Junction Park Entrance, this is where you’ll most likely pay your entrance fee. Backcountry and river permits are also issued here.

As the park’s headquarters, Panther Junction has the most resources of any visitor center, including an in-depth exhibit hall showcasing the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. A 15-minute film about Big Bend plays throughout the day, which we found super helpful for understanding the park’s unique landscapes.

Outside, you’ll find restrooms, a water bottle filling station, and a scenic desert garden featuring native plants. There’s even a post office inside—so if you want to send a postcard from Big Bend, this is the place! The Panther Junction Gas Station is also just down the road if you need gas. It is one of only two places to fuel up inside the park, the other being Rio Grande.

Hours: 8:30 am – 5 pm Daily
Season: Year Round
Location: 1 Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park, TX
Phone: (432) 477-1158

2. Chisos Basin Visitor Center

📍 Close to: Lost Mine Trail, Emory Peak, The Window View Trail, Chisos Basin Campground

The Chisos Basin Visitor Center is a must-visit spot for anyone exploring the Chisos Mountains area of Big Bend. You can apply for backcountry and river use permits here, as well as pay park entrance fees if the station at your point of entry wasn’t staffed.

At an elevation of 5,400 feet, the center offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and cooler temperatures compared to the lower areas of the park. It’s a popular base for hikers and campers, especially those heading to Chisos Basin Campground, so it can get busy depending on the time of year.

Inside, you’ll find a bookstore, restrooms, and a water bottle filling station. The center also has a small exhibit on the flora and fauna of the Chisos Mountains, which we enjoyed exploring before heading out to hike ourselves. Practically next door, you’ll also find The Basin Convenience Store if you need to pick up a few provisions.

Hours: 8:30 am – 4 pm Daily, Closed for Lunch (12-1)
Season: Year Round
Location: 142 Chisos Basin Rd, Big Bend National Park, TX
Phone: (432) 477-2251

3. Castolon Visitor Center

📍 Close to: Santa Elena Canyon, Tuff Canyon, Mule Ears Viewpoint

The Castolon Visitor Center, located a 3-minute drive from the Cottonwood Campground by the US-Mexico border, offers a great introduction to this western side of Big Bend National Park. While the original center burned down in 2019, it has since been relocated to a nearby building. You can still apply for river use permits during their opening hours and pay entrance fees.

Inside the center, you’ll find the Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore, a history exhibit, and restrooms. Due to how remote this Visitor Center is, there is no water bottle filling station, but there is the nearby Castolon Store with bottled water for sale (although it’s always better to come prepared).

Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Daily, Closed for Lunch (12-1)
Season: November – April (Closed May 1 – Oct. 31)
Location: 600 Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX
Phone: (432) 477-2251

4. Rio Grande Village Visitor Center

📍 Close to: Hot Springs Historic Trail, Boquillas Canyon, Rio Grande Village Campground and Rio Grande RV Park

The Rio Grande Visitor Center is your go-to stop when exploring the east side of Big Bend National Park. It’s a great place to learn about the evolution of the Rio Grande ecosystem, grab river use permits, and get trip information before heading to nearby trails, the Hot Springs, or crossing into Mexico at the Boquillas Port of Entry.

This visitor center is also one of the best spots in the park for birdwatching, thanks to the nearby wetlands and cottonwood trees that attract a variety of species. It’s also located close to the Rio Grande Village Campground and Rio Grande Village RV Park, making it convenient for campers staying in this area.

Inside the center, you’ll find a small bookstore and exhibits about the region’s wildlife. Just outside, there are restrooms, water bottle filling stations, and a shaded picnic area. If you need supplies, Rio Grande Village Store is a short walk away and has gas, groceries, and camping gear.

Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm Daily, Closed for Lunch (12-1)
Season: November – April (Closed May 1 – Oct. 31)
Location: 450 Rio Grande Road, Big Bend National Park, TX
Phone: (432) 477-2251

5. Persimmon Gap Visitor Center

📍 Close to: Fossil Discovery Exhibit, Dog Canyon Trail, Devil’s Den Hiking Area

Persimmon Gap Visitor Center is the northernmost visitor center in Big Bend, located near the Marathon, Texas park entrance. Currently closed for renovations, it typically serves as the first stop for visitors entering from the north, offering maps, permits, and park information. Entrance fees can also be paid here when open.

This area provides a unique glimpse into Big Bend’s desert landscape, with information placards detailing the ecosystem. The northern section of the park has been hit hardest by the ongoing two-year drought, which is evident in the purple-tinged cactus plants—a sign of stress due to extreme conditions.

When open, you’ll find a small bookshop, restrooms, water bottle filling stations, and a picnic area. If closed, you can continue 26 miles down the road to the Panther Junction Visitor Center.

Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Daily, Closed for Lunch (12:30-1:30)
Season: November – April (Closed May 1 – Oct. 31)
Location: 385 Main Park Rd, Alpine, TX
Phone: (432) 477-2251

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