Big Bend National Park saw 394,000 visitors in 2020. Although this is 15% fewer than 2019, it includes over three months of park shutdown, and six months with record-breaking numbers, reflecting a significant increase in overall visitation to Big Bend. A seasonal rundown provides insight into a busy year.
Winter – The year began with a steady influx of visitors. Numbers for December through February were recordbreaking compared to all previous years, and the park was on track for the highest visitation in history.
Spring – In the middle of the park’s busiest spring break ever, the pandemic arrived in remote West Texas. On March 17, Big Bend initiated the first operational changes due to the COVID-19 virus, and soon the park closed to all overnight use, followed in April by a full closure to all entry.
