Big Bend getting big revamp; generally good, more needed

The following is from Strategic Government Partners, based on a National Park Service news release.

(All photos in this piece and linked blog posts are mine.)

Big Bend National Park is often referred to as “Texas’ Gift to the Nation.” Area leaders believe the infrastructure of the park needs immediate attention. That work will begin soon, thanks to $22 million from the Great American Outdoors Act. Work will start with the replacement of Chisos Mountain Lodge. The facility has a shifting foundation and numerous cracks in the floors and walls.

The lodge, built in 1965, houses a restaurant, gift shop, check-in counter and administrative offices. A convenience store, currently next to the Visitor’s Center, will be demolished and a similar shop will be integrated into the new building. The potable water systems will also be replaced, which will require reconstruction of the grounds and several roads.

Renderings depict a glass, two-story building. It will be fire resistant, to be less susceptible to wildfires, and energy efficient, with solar panels, dark sky–friendly lighting, and a smart water-usage plan. An outdoor patio and seating area will move from the first floor to the second to keep visitors and wildlife at a safe distance. 

Work is also being done to find a solution to a growing trash problem. Big Bend is one of two national parks with an on-site landfill which is almost at full capacity. Alternatives could include a transfer station or landfill outside the park that could be privately owned. 

More here on the need, with a video at the link, from the Park Service. Discussion of the proposed new lodge dining and more starts at about the 20 minute mark on the video. Before that, you'll see how bad of shape parts of the kitchen area, especially, are currently in. The upgrade has been under discussion for a couple of years.

I told SGI that I hope the fantastic plate-glass picture windows view from the current restaurant will not be changed, and that appears to be the case. In fact, it looks like views will be improved in other directions beyond the Window, on the second floor, and yes, it's going to be a two-floor deal. Specifics of layout start at about the 28-minute mark, with the preferred alternative starting at about the 31-minute mark. Getting solar panels in is part of the design. 

Casa Grande, pictured at sunset, would be visible from the east end of the new dining room.

That said, the park needs to expand either the Cottonwood or Rio Grande Village campground, or maybe add another, not necessarily big one, elsewhere. It could be primitive. Expand Hannold Draw, which is relatively easily car-accessible, into 10-12 spots, for example. No water, and a biffy instead of flush toilets. Croton Spring could probably also be expanded. (In exchange for that, charging for primitive camping would, if not eliminated, have its price reduced; I've not been to BB since 2019, when it announced, but before it launched, such charging, on a per-day basis, discussed here. Fees are currently $10 a day.)

The park is set to get a small expansion, including parts of Terlingua Creek, on the west side. It also added a new trail north of Panther Junction. Click that link to set a sample of what's involved with creating a new trail in a Park Service unit, particularly when it's in officially designated wilderness. As the Austin area becomes more and more Californicated, Big Bend traffic will only pick up. From 2016-21, in part, yes, due to COVID, visitation increased 50 percent.

==

Per previous blogging, from many previous visits?

Big Bend also needs more light pollution protection on both sides of the river but does NOT need more cellphone towers. It also needs massive federal wilderness designation, per that post, if it's not yet been granted.

BB needs road improvements (and better Millennial visitors). Of course, the former problem is Park Service-wide. I think the latter is becoming more and more that way.

BB's nature? Don't change it.