This Is Texas's Largest State Park-and It Has Rio Grande Views, Few Crowds, and 300,000+ Acres of Gorgeous Desert

"The state park is more remote and rugged. We offer a more dispersed and self-guided experience. It's also a more relaxed choice for paddling trips, it's popular among birdwatchers, and it's also one of the best places in Texas to stargaze-after all, West Texas has the darkest skies in the state."

"River Road (or FM 170) is the most gorgeous drive in the entire state. Running from Presidio, Texas, to Terlingua, Texas, this 50-plus-mile stretch of highway twists and turns along the Rio Grande and the southern border of Big Bend Ranch State Park. The calm river remains a fixture, and the surrounding desert mountains, hoodoos, and never-ending views leave you speechless."

"As an International Dark Sky Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park is one of the best places in Texas to see the night sky. You can park and stargaze from River Road."

Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas's largest state park at over 300,000 acres, provides a more remote and rugged experience compared to the heavily visited Big Bend National Park. Located along the Rio Grande and the Texas-Mexico border, the state park receives only about 14,000 visitors annually and offers dispersed, self-guided experiences. The park is ideal for paddling trips, birdwatching, and stargazing, as West Texas has the darkest skies in the state. River Road (FM 170), a 50-plus-mile scenic highway running from Presidio to Terlingua, winds along the Rio Grande with stunning desert landscapes, mountain views, and seasonal wildflower displays. As an International Dark Sky Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park ranks among Texas's premier stargazing destinations.

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