Subcategories

• Big Bend FAQ

  Find your answer to the most frequently asked questions.

• About the Area

  Big Bend is part of the vast Chihuahuan Desert that extends from Central Mexico into Southern New Mexico. In the Big Bend, 3 basic life zones are found: Desert, River, and Mountain. The Chisos Mountains have been compared to a green island in a desert sea, hiding a remnant Alpine forest that developed in wetter cooler times tens of thousands of years ago in the Pleistocene. The low desert only appears barren; it is home to a many species of small mammal, reptile and bird. Some of naturals most recent evolutionary experiments are found among the adaptable desert flora. The Rio Grande is a ribbon oasis, harboring a menagerie of riparian and aquatic species, as well as providing an important stop over for migratory fowl every spring and fall.

  Big Bend is a complete geology textbook. The story of oceans rising and falling, continents colliding, and millions of years of volcanic turbulence are written large over the land. Cretaceous seas teamed with strange creatures, from tiny mollusks to a dozen specie of Mosasaurs, some measuring to 40 feet. As the seas receded, some of the largest terrestrial creatures so far know to man roamed here. Remains of the 2nd largest flying creature known to have existed, the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus northropii, were discovered in Big Bend.

  Human history began with some of the earliest human activity recorded on the continent, 9000 years ago and. Since then there is a long and fascinating human history associated with the region. Though the region is remote from the rest of humanity, local events and circumstances have played important roles on the world stage of history.

  This page is a constant work in process; new links and content will be added regularly. If there is anything you are interested in knowing about or seeing on this site, please contact us.

• Necessities
• Arts and Culture

  Desert environments have inspired great philosophers, poets, artists and dreamers of every description. The Chihuahuan Desert, that the Big Bend region is a part of, is no exception. Once described as a dusty bohemia, the greater Terlingua area enjoys an abundance of resident musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, lapidarists, ceramicists and talented actors. (painting oil on canvas by Bonnie Wunderlich)

  The Terlingua music scene is lively for such a remote location. Local dance bands travel around the state and in some cases the world, to play their unique Big Bend, West Texas music. A local theatre group produces 2 plays each year that are of surprising quality. La Kiva Bar and Grill has hosted "open mike" each Wednesday night for many years.

  Search by location for shops and galleries that feature mostly work by local artists.

• Related Links

  Check out these links to regional tourism web sites in the greater Big Bend and Texas Mountains area.