teacher feature

Big Bend is an Outdoor ClassroomWelcome to Big Bend National Park’s Educator Page!

Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres of the Chihuahuan Desert—that’s bigger than the state of Rhode Island! Desert, river, and mountain environments within the park provide excellent habitat for many species of plants and animals. There is a rich cultural history here as well, as people have been living in the Big Bend region for more than 10,000 years. The park’s impressive geology and paleontologic discoveries are world-renowned. The Rio Grande River, which forms Big Bend National Park’s southern border, also serves as the international boundary with Mexico. Our unique proximity to the border adds a richness of culture and experiences that few national parks can claim.

In short, Big Bend is an amazing resource that is just waiting for you and your students to discover. The links below will lead you to a variety of park educational resources. They should help you plan a rewarding educational experience—whether you plan on bringing your class to Big Bend or want to bring Big Bend to your classroom.

Educator's Guides
Guides with Activities
Lesson Plans
Activities for all grades 
Junior Rangers
Calling All Kids!
Park Fact Sheets
plants and animals
Teacher Workshop 2004
Earn Education Credits!
Park "Packs"
Big Bend IN A BAG! 
Recommended Reading 
Big Bend's Best Books
Field Trip Suggestions
Bring your class to Big Bend 
Castolon: A Meeting Place of Two Cultures
Online Discovery & lesson plans

Return to the Big Bend National Park Homepage