- State: TX
- NPCA Region: Texas
- Est. Date: 1978
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Unsatisfactory
Nature
Unsatisfactory
This “wild and scenic” section of the famous Rio Grande is a 196-mile stretch of the river that travels east from the Mexican border into Texas and winds through some of the more remote vistas in the Chihuahuan Desert and into Big Bend National Park. Boaters looking for a southwestern adventure can plan a float trip on this picturesque waterway to see its rugged canyons with 100-million-year-old rock walls and a diverse array of wildlife. Note that different sections of the river have varying difficulty levels, and traveling through the remote Lower Canyons area requires an access fee and release form.
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Blog Post
The 10 Least-Visited Places in the Park System
Take a peek at these underappreciated national gems where only a handful of adventurers go.
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Blog Post
Trump Administration Rollback Could Hurt These 10 Parks
Revisions to the Clean Water Rule could have real, on-the-ground consequences for hundreds of national park sites — including these 10.
More about Rio Grande
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Read more about Don't Divide Our Habitats, Ecosystems and Communities
NPCA at Work Don't Divide Our Habitats, Ecosystems and Communities Oppose new walls and fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Read more about The Backroads of Big Bend
Land Based Trip The Backroads of Big Bend From the mystical desert town of Marfa to the rugged Chisos Mountains, we will explore this diverse landscape and dive deep into the region’s cultural history. Experience one of the wildest corners of America as you paddle the Rio Grande, gaze at magnificent dark skies, explore the Southwest’s best surviving frontier military post and witness NPCA’s regional work all alongside expert guides.
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Read more about Position on H.R. 4760 & H.R. 6136
Policy Update Position on H.R. 4760 & H.R. 6136 NPCA submitted the following position to members of the House of Representatives ahead of floor votes expected on June 21, 2018.
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Read more about A Land Divided
Magazine Article A Land Divided How would a border wall affect national parks?
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Read more about Position on Funding the Border Wall
Policy Update Position on Funding the Border Wall NPCA submitted the following position to the Senate ahead of votes scheduled for February 15, 2018.
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Read more about Water You Waiting For? 10 Perfect Parks for Paddling
Blog Post Water You Waiting For? 10 Perfect Parks for Paddling Go beyond the hiking trail and enjoy parks from a refreshing vantage point: water. Rivers and lakes offer adventurous routes through some of the country’s most remarkable landscapes, including views you just can’t see from land. From lazy float trips to exhilarating whitewater, national parks have fun options for visitors of every experience level—sometimes even on different stretches of the same river.
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Read more about Texas Pride
Report Texas Pride This report profiles the 13 national park sites here in Texas, visited annually by nearly 5.5 million people. They are the pride of our state and economic boons to local communities, with national park tourism providing nearly 5,000 jobs and $308 million annually for state and local economies.
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