Big Bend National Park, TX — At slightly more than 800,000 acres, Big Bend National Park attracts upwards of 300,000 visitors per year.
According to a 2009 article in the Los Angeles Times, that makes Big Bend among the top 20 least-visited National Parks in the US.
Situated in southwest Texas along the Rio Grande River, you’ll find mountains, desert, and lots of wide-open spaces. It’s a great place for motorcycle riding, but temperatures can get hot in summer.
The week before I rode through the park, daytime highs had been in the low 100s, but thanks to rain and a cold front, I enjoyed more comfortable weather.
Be sure to bring lots of water, and watch your speed through through the park. Despite the temptation offered by its lonely roads, I’m told park rangers rigorously enforce the 45-mph speed limit.
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National Park Service Big Bend NP website: www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm