Popular Texas National Park, Big Bend, Shutting Down Popular Areas

Fans of Chisos Basin, rejoice - that area of Big Bend National Park in west Texas will remain open. However, a new area will be closed instead.

Chisos Basin, in Big Bend National Park, was scheduled to close in August for a construction project expected to take about 2 years to complete. That project is now set to begin in May of 2026 while the park addresses a new issue.

Control of an invasive species ...

Barbary sheep, aka "aoudad", are a non-native species whose population has grown so much around Big Bend, they're now a threat to the native bighorn sheep population. The TPWD has been working to reestablish bighorns in Big Bend and other parts of west Texas including El Paso.

How Did Aoudad  Get Here?

The animals, native to North Africa, were introduced to West Texas roughly 30 years ago and have since spread across the park. Officials say the herds compete directly with desert bighorn sheep for food and water and are undermining efforts to restore the native population. - chron 

The Barbary sheep are cutting into the bighorn sheeps' food and water supplies and they're migrating fast. (Some have made it as far as El Paso, a distance of about 326 miles.) TPWD began reintroducing bighorn sheep to Franklin Mountains State Park earlier this year.

What Areas Will Close?

Several areas of Big Bend will be closed as helicopters are brought in to get the sheep under control by shooting them from above. That's what I gather based this article    anyway. Closures include:

• Mesa de Anguila Trail closes first on 10/3. No camping, day use or overnight hiking allowed.
• 10/4 and 10/5, the Deadhorse Mountains, Dagger Float Road and Old Ore Road will close. Campsites like Nine Point Draw, McKinney Springs and more along with recreation areas north of Boquillas Canyon Road and some trails will also close.

READ MORE: Why Chisos Basin Was/Is Closing

Areas that will stay open include the Rio Grande through Santa Elena Canyon and other trails. You can see maps here.