Castolon Visitor Center

About Castolon Visitor Center

Located in the Castolon Historic District, the Castolon Visitor Center is open daily during the winter months. River use permits are issued during normal business hours, and entrance fees can be paid at the Castolon Visitor Center. The Castolon Visitor Center has a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore and nearby restrooms. The visitor center is located in the historic Garlick House, immediately behind the Magdalena House Exhibits. Stop by to meet a ranger and plan your adventure.

How to Get There

The Castolon Visitor Center is located within the Castolon Historic District of Big Bend National Park. The site is located along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, approximately 8 miles from the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead. The visitor center is inside the historic officer's quarters building.

Plan Your Visit to Castolon Visitor Center

Heading to Castolon Visitor Center? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)