Always current. Chisos Basin. Panther Junction. Rio Grande Village. Learn how to plan, pack, and recreate during the heat of Big Bend summers. Don't let the heat ruin your Big Bend trip! Castolon for Santa Elena Canyon flows. Dryden for Lower Canyons flows. Big Bend is famous for wide expansive panoramas. The view from Park Headquarters is always changing, and always spectacular. The view is to the Northwest, and updated every 15 minutes. On a clear day, distant peaks over 80 miles away are clearly visible.
Visibility and air quality readings. The tables below reflect average readings at the three primary park areas recorded over the last 5 years. Big Bend is in the Chihuahuan Desert. Sunshine is abundant most of the year. Spring is typically warm and pleasant and is the park's busiest season. Summer heat begins in May. It is extremely hot.
Temperatures vary greatly between the desert floor, which is usually well above degrees Fahrenheit by late morning, and the Chisos Mountains, which can be degrees cooler. May through August are the hottest months. Visitors should be familiar with heat safety. The rainy season runs from July through September, with locally heavy thunderstorms and some flash flooding possible.
The rainy season can be a delightful time to visit since afternoon and evening rains often cool the desert. Fall quickly melds into winter which is pleasantly mild and usually sunny, although periods of cloudy weather and freezing cold do occur. Snow is rare and generally light. Winter visitors must prepare for a variety of conditions. That is NOT typical for the majority of the park's area. Temperatures over the majority of the park desert and along the Rio Grande will always be 10 degrees hotter.
Temps in the higher elevation Chisos Mountains average approximately 10 degrees cooler. Be prepared for this kind of variation during your trip. No matter the time of year, a wide-brimmed hat, comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes or boots are necessary for anyone planning to explore outdoors. Sunscreen is a must and hikers should always carry plenty of water; one gallon per person per day is recommended.
