Villages & Protected Areas 
Adjacent to Big Bend NP

Current Border Crossing Status

Big Bend National Park borders the Mexican states of Chihuahua (on the west) and Coahuila (on the east). While most of the park's wildlife are oblivious to the concept of an international border, the cultural history of this area in the last 150 years has been defined by the presence of the U.S./Mexico border.

The Maderas del Carmen protected area in the state of Coahuila and the Cañon de Santa Elena protected area in the state of Chihuahua were established in 1994 to protect the magnificent resources south of the border. While both areas are still in the early stages of planning and development, you can visit two villages that are located near the protected areas. These are not "official ports of entry," but they do allow you to experience a part of Mexico. Click on the topics below to learn more about the protected areas and villages.

"Partners In Protection" (article on the protected areas)

Basic Information on the Protected Areas (table)

Visiting Boquillas, Mexico

Visiting Santa Elena, Mexico

Información del Parque (Big Bend National Park Information in Spanish)

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