Severe weather, accompanied by heavy rainfall, has caused flash floods in multiple regions of Texas this week. In Kerr County, deadly rising waters from the Guadalupe River forced evacuations and ravaged neighborhoods. Now, similar conditions are affecting one of the state's most scenic destinations.
After days of intense storms, Big Bend National Park is experiencing its own flooding challenges. While some portions of the park remain open, park officials have issued warnings and closed several areas as crews assess damage and monitor water levels.
These changes could impact plans for some travelers headed to Big Bend in the next few days. Here's what you need to know about the closures, flood risks, and how long the situation is expected to last.
Which Areas Of Big Bend National Park Are Currently Closed?
Heavy rains in Big Bend last weekend led to hazardous conditions throughout the park. In a press release from the National Park Service (NPS), the Rio Grande reached flows of over 30,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Rio Grande Village and reached 18,000 cfs at Castolon.
The increased flows of the Rio Grande, combined with runoff from Tornillo and Terlingua Creeks, caused several low-lying areas to flood. Due to the higher water levels and road damage, travel within the park has become difficult, and multiple areas remain closed to visitors. According to NPS Alerts and Conditions, these roads and campgrounds are closed:
Drivers should also use extreme caution when driving along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the road between Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village. Park officials report that low-lying parts of the road are still covered with debris and pockets of standing water.
Additionally, hikers hoping to visit Santa Elena Canyon should proceed with caution. To reach the trail, the NPS says that visitors must cross the Terlingua Creek bed, which can vary significantly in terms of water flow depending on recent rainfall. For their safety, visitors are urged to speak with a ranger to stay on top of the most up-to-date conditions before attempting the trail.
Why Big Bend National Park Is So Prone to Flooding
Big Bend National Park, one of the most underrated desert parks in America, is especially prone to flooding due to a combination of seasonal weather patterns, its terrain, and its location along the Rio Grande. Each summer, the park experiences something called the North American Monsoon, a weather system that brings sudden, intense storms from late June through mid-September.
In terms of landscape, much of Big Bend is made up of rocky desert terrain, steep canyons, and dry streambeds called arroyos. According to a YouTube video by Practical Engineering, dry soil absorbs water more slowly than soil that already contains some moisture. This explains what frequently occurs in Big Bend during the monsoon season. Instead of absorbing into the soil, rainwater rushes over the surface, funneling rapidly through the narrow arroyos and creating flash floods with little warning.
Even if it doesn’t rain directly in Big Bend, storms upstream, especially in the Rio Conchos basin in Mexico, can cause the Rio Grande to overflow. In a news release outlining the record-breaking 2008 Rio Grande flood, the NPS explained how heavy rainfall upstream led to the deepest flood in the park’s history.
What Visitors Need To Know Before Traveling To Big Bend Right Now
Park staff members are currently focused on protecting historic landmarks impacted by the floodwaters, including the Alvino house in the Castolon area. With their attention on recovery efforts, visitors should take extra precautions before heading to Big Bend. The first thing visitors can do is check the latest updates on the park’s website. It is also a good idea to stop by the Panther Junction Visitor Center to speak with a ranger before exploring trails and accessing roads.
In the next few days, the National Weather Service (NWS) is also predicting additional rain and scattered thunderstorms from Friday through Tuesday. As floodwaters in Castolon move downstream, there’s a chance areas like Rio Grande Village could see another surge by the end of the week. For now, park officials are closely monitoring the situation and will adjust closures as conditions develop.