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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Bend, TX

Home Care Bend, TX

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic High Desert Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bend, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Bend, TX

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with these amazing home care professionals is as close to perfect as it gets! I have a dear friend that is in hospice and needed a little extra home care. Ken, the owner, was fast to respond to my call and started home care right away. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Always Best Care Senior Services' staff and owner.”

Edward C.
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TESTIMONIALS

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Tsholofelo M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”

Antoinette G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

Melissa C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

Kelly B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

Laurie K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

Kristen B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

Shirley S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

Jill &.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Bend, TX?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Bend, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Bend, TX

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Bend, TX
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Bend, TX
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Drake Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Bend, TX
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Blacksmith Restaurant or visit Drake Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Bend, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Bend, TX

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Bend, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Bend, TX

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your TX's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Bend, TX

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bend, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Bend, TX

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Bend, TX

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Willow Bend Assisted Living Memory Care
  • The Avenues of Fort Bend
  • Affectionate Care Homes Assisted Living Facility
  • A Touch of Home Assisted Living
  • WoodCreek Bend Memory Care
  • Park Bend Health Center
Home Care Bend, TX

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Bend, TX

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bend, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Bend, TX

Latest News in Bend, TX

Texas Floods Force NPS To Issue Warnings And Closures For Top National Park

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 re...

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.

Flooding in Big Bend National Park

Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: July 4, 2025 The Big Bend area of Texas received significant amounts of rainfall during the past few days, causing flash floods, wet conditions, and flooding along the Rio Grande. On July 3, river flows exceeded 30,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Rio Grande Village a...

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News Release Date: July 4, 2025 The Big Bend area of Texas received significant amounts of rainfall during the past few days, causing flash floods, wet conditions, and flooding along the Rio Grande. On July 3, river flows exceeded 30,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Rio Grande Village and 18,000 cfs at Castolon, causing localized flooding in Big Bend National Park. Tornillo Creek and Terlingua Creek are full and are delivering large amounts of water to the Rio Grande. Smaller arroyos are flash flooding as well.

Floodwaters have reached low-lying areas in the Rio Grande Village campground, and campers have been evacuated and moved to campsites in the Chisos Basin campground. Campers with reservations at primitive roadside campsites have also been moved to the Chisos Basin campground, because unpaved roads are impassible.

Flash floods have caused minor damage and left debris and standing water on paved park roads. Due to wet conditions, mud, and potential washouts, unpaved roads have been temporarily closed until they can be assessed. Additionally, the paved road between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon is underwater and has been temporarily closed. Motorists are advised to be alert for standing water and debris on all area roads.

At these river levels it is unsafe to cross the Rio Grande, and the Boquillas Port of Entry will be closed until floodwaters recede to a safe level.

The park is acting to protect historic structures, such as Alvino House in the Castolon area, from floodwaters. The Hot Springs Historic District is flooded and inaccessible.

More rain is forecast over the next few days. As the high water currently in Castolon moves downstream, it may impact Rio Grande Village on Friday, potentially causing another rise in river levels at that location.

Visitors are encouraged to check the park website Alerts for current conditions and to check with rangers at the Panther Junction Visitor Center.

Texas national park gem may be on the verge of major expansion

The largest national park in Texas could get even bigger. A bipartisan bill proposing an expansion of the Big Bend National Park, which already sprawls 801,163 acres, passed in the U.S. Senate unanimously on Wednesday, June 18....

The largest national park in Texas could get even bigger. A bipartisan bill proposing an expansion of the Big Bend National Park, which already sprawls 801,163 acres, passed in the U.S. Senate unanimously on Wednesday, June 18.

The Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act authorizes the National Park Service (NPS) to acquire around 6,100 acres of land along the western boundary of the park adjacent to Terlingua Creek, according to a Friday, June 20, news release from U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23).

The act clarifies that NPS may only acquire land within the expansion site through donation or exchange. It also explicitly prohibits NPS from using eminent domain or condemnation in securing land, according to the news release.

"There is no better example of Texas' natural beauty and vibrant wildlife than Big Bend National Park, and I'm glad the Senate has passed our bill unanimously so that all Americans can continue to enjoy it," Cornyn stated in the release.

Luján called Big Bend one of the "many treasures in the Southwest." He added that the expansion will allow NPS to conserve the ecosystem along the Terlingua watershed for years to come. Gonzales echoed similar remarks, calling Big Bend a "natural treasure unlike any other."

"With the Senate passage of the Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act, we are one step closer to improving the National Park Service's ability to preserve and protect critical habitats, history, and geology at Big Bend for generations to come," Gonzales stated. "I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to move this legislation through the U.S. House of Representatives."

The legislation will move to the U.S. House for consideration.

Growth at Big Bend National Park

The bill passed in the Senate after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired a 671-acre property just outside Big Bend National Park in May. The acquisition of Heath Canyon Ranch will expand outdoor recreational opportunities for the public and protect more than 250 plant species, several of which are found nowhere else on earth. The Nature Conservancy in Texas bought and donated the property to the state.

The progress of the bill also comes at a time when the National Park Service has been receiving budget cuts under the Trump administration. Most recently, the administration is aiming to raise fees at certain national parks for international tourists, according to the Interior Budget in Brief.

The brief also suggested $1.2 billion in cuts to the National Park Service's funding for fiscal year 2026. The cut would be the largest in the agency's 109-year history, according to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).

The proposed cuts come after the Trump administration laid off, and then rehired, 1,000 probationary workers earlier this year. While some were hired back, NPCA stated parks are "already stretched thin." The Department of the Interior's workforce database shows 16.5% fewer employees than in fiscal year 2023 and 39% fewer seasonal employees than in fiscal year 2023, according to NPCA.

"Without urgent action to restore staffing and resources, our parks — and the people who protect them — could be pushed to the breaking point," NPCA wrote.

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