Chisos Mountains

— On June 12, 2019, Big Bend NP celebrated its 75th anniversary. Protecting over 450 bird species and 1,200 plant species, the park also encompasses the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert in the USA. No matter which entrance you take into the park, the views of the Chisos Mountains are breathtaking, especially if you wait for the golden hour. I’ve been to the park during three seasons (I’ve lived in Texas long enough to know to avoid summer visits), and every time I go there is always something new I missed the previous time. The Chisos are entirely contained within park boundaries, making that the only mountain range completely within a national park.