Copyright: National Park Service
Big Bend National Park
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Description - This is a region of diverse habitats and vegetation, varying from desert valleys and plateaus to wooded mountain slopes. Even the mountain masses vary tremendously in the environments they offer for plant and animal life. Some are characterized by volcanic rocks, others by limestone. Due to the diversity of soils and elevations, many vegetation types exist in the region. The principal plant communities are creosote-tarbush desert scrub, desert grassland, yucca and juniper savannas, and montane forests of pinon pine and oak.
Attractions
- The biggest recreation attraction in Big Bend Country is Big Bend National Park. This National Park encompasses 800,000 acres of land on the northern shore of the Rio Grande River. The geography includes desert, river and mountains, that support a huge variety of plant and animal species. Amistad National Recreation Area, near Del Rio, consists of 57,292 acres, most of which are underwater. Lake Amistad is an International reservoir and recreation area containing 890 miles of shoreline, 540 in the United States and 350 in Mexico. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is found near the northwest corner of this region, along the New Mexico border. Rising from the desert, this mountain mass contains portions of the world's most extensive and significant Permian limestone fossil reef. Also featured are a tremendous earth fault, lofty peaks, unusual flora and fauna, and a colorful record of the past. Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area is one of the regions state park sites. Big Bend Country features numerous other state parks, historic sites and other recreation attractions.
Recreation - Hiking, backpacking, camping and sightseeing are some of the most popular activities in this region. Other popular activities include fishing, boating, water skiing, picnicking, sightseeing, viewing nature, viewing wildlife, birdwatching and viewing historic sites. Climate - This region experiences hot summers and mild to cool winters. Over most of the area average annual rainfall is less than 12 inches. Precipitation may be as high as 20 inches at higher elevations. July and August are usually the high rainfall months. Location -
Big Bend Country covers most of western Texas. It includes the cities of El Paso, Midland/Odessa, Pecos and Del Rio. Interstates 10 and 20 are the primary highways through the region.
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