Big Bend National Park Hotspots

Big Bend is one of the great birding destinations in North America, where the Chihuahuan Desert rises into the cool, wooded Chisos Mountains along a big bend of the Rio Grande. That range of elevation and habitat packs an incredible variety of birds into one park, including specialties found almost nowhere else in the United States. For a photographer, the scenery is as much a draw as the birds.

Birds to look for: Colima Warbler (the Chisos are its only reliable U.S. home), Lucifer Hummingbird, Varied Bunting, Mexican Jay, Elf Owl, and Zone-tailed Hawk.

Best time to visit: Late spring (April to June) for the Colima Warbler and desert breeders.

Birding Locations in Big Bend National Park See all birds photographed here →

Chisos Mountains

The Chisos Basin Campground is nestled in an open woodland within a scenic mountain basin. Campers enjoy the views of Casa Grande and Emory Peak. The sunset through the nearby "Window" is a Big Bend highlight. Some of the park's most popular trails begin nearby. Elevation: 5,400 feet.

Bird Species Found Here

Rio Grande Village

Rio Grande Village is a popular, scenic destination in the southeastern section of Big Bend National Park, Texas. Situated along the river border with Mexico, it features an established campground, a full-hookup RV park, a general store, a visitor center, and easy access to local hiking and hot springs.

Bird Species Found Here