A Flood Watch issued for Big Bend National Park covered the period from 10 a.m. October 29 through 7 p.m. October 30 CDT. NWS issued the watch at 2:44 a.m. CDT on October 29 to highlight the potential for flooding from excessive rainfall; a watch does not mean flooding has already occurred. With some riverside roads already closed, RV travelers needed to check both the weather and their planned route.
Areas Affected
The watch included Central Brewster County, Chisos Basin and Lower Brewster County. NWS said 1 to 3 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, were possible across the broader watch area. That regional range did not mean every location in the park would receive the same amount.
A separate point forecast near park headquarters gave October 29 a 90% daytime rain chance and a 100% overnight chance. The forecast high was 70°F and the low 61°F, with 0.25 to 0.5 inch of rain expected during the day and 0.5 to 0.75 inch overnight. Updated at 2:46 a.m. CDT on October 29, this forecast represented one location; temperatures in the mountains and along the Rio Grande could differ.
An NPS notice updated October 25 listed closures until further notice on the paved road between Cottonwood Campground and Santa Elena Canyon, Hot Springs Road beyond the overflow parking area, Paint Gap Road, and River Road West through to Glenn Springs Road. Black Gap Road was under a long-term closure following damage from a 2025 flash flood, rather than a new closure caused by this round of rain.
What RV Travelers Need to Know
Official information lists Rio Grande Village Campground as open year-round, with reservations required and no first-come, first-served camping. Cottonwood Campground, by contrast, was in its summer closure period with a November 1 reopening announced. A scheduled opening date is separate from road restrictions. Even with a reservation, travelers should recheck park alerts and the specific access road immediately before departure.
Primitive dirt roads are not appropriate detours. NPS says these roads require high clearance and genuine four-wheel-drive capability and are unsuitable for motorhomes and ordinary passenger cars. Terlingua Creek at the Santa Elena Canyon Trail entrance can also change with recent rain, from sand to mud or flowing water; consult local rangers about conditions.
For this trip, check for updates to the NWS Flood Watch first, then compare NPS closures with the route to the reserved campground. A later forecast showing less rain does not automatically reopen a road. Park information is available at 432-477-2251. Keep closed sections out of the itinerary unless an official reopening has been announced.
Sources: NWS Flood Watch · NWS Big Bend point forecast · NWS Big Bend recreational forecast · NPS road and facility conditions · NPS Rio Grande Village Campground
Photo: Jeffery Bennett / National Park Service · Photographed March 15, 2017 · Original photo page · Public Domain. Original or supplied proportionally reduced image used.