Big Bend National Park is located in Southern Texas on the Mexican border. It is roughly a six-hour drive west of San Antonio. You can expect a fairly straightforward drive along the I-10 for the majority of the trip.
In general, Big Bend National Park is famous for its deep history among those who are indigenous to the area. For many thousands of years, native people lived and worked the land which encompasses Big Bed National Park. Interestingly this area of Texas has been claimed by no less than 6 different countries in the past 500 years!
Closest Major City to Big Bend National Park
The closest major city to Big Bend National Park is El Paso Texas. The drive from El Paso will take 4 hours 20 minutes. El Paso is the largest of all Texas border cities
Although El Paso is the closest major city many travellers are likely to come from the east of the state from cities such as San Antonio, Houston and Austin.
San Antonio, Texas is the closest city to Big Bend coming from the East. You can drive from San Antonio to Big Bend in just under 6 hours along the I-10 before continuing on to US-385S for the remaining journey.
Austin, Texas is also not too much further than San Antonio to Big Bend. The trip will only add an extra 30 mins. This makes the travel time between Austin and Big Bend around 6 hours 30 minutes.
A trip to Big Bend National Park from Houston is going to take significantly longer at 8.5 hours.
Closest Airport to Big Bend National Park
El Paso
El Paso International Airport is the closest and most convenient airport to Big Bend National Park. It is just over a 4-hour drive from the airport to the park.
There are flights available with a multitude of different carriers and a wide variety of routes. If you are flying into Texas with Big Bend as your main objective then you will find El Paso airport to be the best arrival point.
Midland/Odessa
Midland/Odessa is the closest airport to Big Bend National Park however it is not as convenient as El Paso. FLights are significantly limited and generally restricted to routes coming from other parts of the state.
However, if you do want to fly into Midland/Odessa the drive time from the airport to the park is around 3 hours.
San Antonio
If you have other destinations in mind while visiting Big Bend National Park you may want to consider San Antonio International Airport. Although the drive will be longer you will have to opportunity to see many of the sights of the surrounding area and stock up well for your trip to the park.
Closest Town to Big Bend National Park
Terlingua is the closest town to Big Bend National Park. It was once a thriving mining town but is now well known as being a ghost town. Many of its abandoned shacks and historic mining buildings have been turned into restaurants and accommodations for visitors to Big Bend. The cemetery is what really catches traveller’s eye. It is truly unique. More than anything this little town is historically interesting, to say the least.
In the town itself, you will be able to find accommodation, places to eat and supplies.