09.05.2023

Today’s Forecast

103º | Partly cloudy | 12% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:07 a.m. | Sunset 7:53 p.m.

🏔 Visit 6 of the best national parks

Our guide to visiting 7 of the best national parks

Small blooming wildflowers up close, with a sweeping mountain vista in the distance.

National parks may just lead you to a breathtaking view like this one at the Great Smoky Mountains. | Photo by Domenico Convertini via Flickr

Wondering which national park is best for your next trip? Use this great big guide to the great big outdoors to plan your next adventure.

We left no stone unturned — check out when to go, what fees you’ll pay, how to camp, and what to do in six of our country’s greatest national parks.

Big Bend National Park

Idyllic scenery, stargazing, and wildlife spotting — that’s what makes Big Bend National Park special. This park isn’t called “big” for nothing. With 800,000+ acres, it’s the largest protected portion of the Chihuahuan desert.

Getting there
Big Bend is pretty remote, so you’ll want to stock up on gas, food, and water before your trip. GPS can be unreliable, so we recommend having a map handy for your drive and expect a ~7 hour drive from Austin.

Open hours and seasons
Big Bend National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. But note that the busy season tends to be from October through April. Check out the park’s advice for visiting during the busy season.

Major rules
Sorry, Fido. Pets are not allowed on trails and must be kept on a leash. Rule of thumb: Anywhere a car can go, so can your pet.

While we’re on the subject of animals, remember that feeding wildlife is never allowed. Backcountry campers will want to bear-proof their food containers.Read more rules and regulations here.

A silver RV parked in a grove of trees at Big Bend National Park's Cottonwood Campground — Cottonwood Campground is great for RV camping.
|
Photo via the National Park Services

What to bring
We recommend a multi-liter hydration backpack — camo optional. You’ll also want other essentials like sunblock, or nice-to-haves like these cooling neck wraps (especially good for kids who overheat easily).

Sunblock and water aren’t the only essentials you’ll need. Check out this list of 10 things you won’t want to be without in a national park.

Looking for something a little closer? Check out our guide to Texas State Parks.

Explore more

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Orchid Auction | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free | The Heart of Texas Orchid Society will offer a variety of orchids up for bid.
The Floor Is Lava | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 8-9 p.m. | Fallout Theater, 616 Lavaca St., Austin | $8 | This experimental comedy sketch operates with all its performers off the ground.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Washington’s Iron Butterfly: Bess Clements Abell | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin | Free | Author Donald Ritchie and Lucie Baines Johnson will tell listeners the story of former White House Social Secretary Bess Clements Abell.
Plant School | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 5-6 p.m. | Succulent Native, 5501 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $5 | Bring your plants for a checkup by the Plant Doctor, plus learn about how to care for your other plants alongside a free drink.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Realms of Death | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 8 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $15 | This packed lineup also includes Lifecycles, Disowned, Feed Your Body to the Void, and Nerve.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

The first phase of Cedar Park’s “New Hope project” broke ground on Thursday, Aug. 31. The $250 million project is expected to bring 430,000 sqft of industrial space and around 29,000 sqft of retail space across 95 acres. (Austin Business Journal)

Watch

Indie artist Caroline Rose’s short film “The Art of Forgetting,” which shares a name with her newest studio album, premiered in Austin last week at the Front Festival. Don’t worry if you weren’t able to see it — there will be another screening at the Austin Spotlight Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 23. (KXAN)

Sports

Austin FC defender Julio Cascante will represent La Federación Costarricense de Fútbol (the Costa Rican Football Federation) during an international friendly match against Saudi Arabia on Friday, Sept. 8, at St. James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Eat

Mark your calendar for National Queso Day, because Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe is using the holiday as an opportunity to give back. Proceeds from every queso purchased on Wednesday, Sept. 20 will benefit Keep Austin Fed, a local nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity.

Travel

Planning on traveling this holiday season? You may want to book those flights now — experts advise that airfare is usually cheapest 71 days before departure. In other words: Book Thanksgiving flights out of ABIA now, and December flights in mid-October. Make a free Going account for even cheaper airfare.* (The Washington Post)

Share ATXtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_5}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

Speaking of Caroline Rose, I’m a pretty big fan. If you haven’t yet heard her music, I recommend starting with the song “Jeannie Becomes A Mom.”

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY