Posts about Wilderness

Photo ©Rebecca L. Latson

"I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition"

I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition in their mission to secure official Wilderness designation for Big Bend National Park's untouched backcountry. This fight isn't new—the National Park Service first championed it in 1974, during my tenure as Director, and reaffirmed the call in 1978. Now, it's time for Congress to act. By enshrining permanent, statutory protection, we can ensure Big Bend’s breathtaking landscapes remain shielded from policy shifts or development threats. It's heartening to see the backing of former NPS Directors, united in our commitment to safeguarding America's wilderness legacy so future generations can continue to embrace its solitude, beauty, and ecological richness."

~ Ronald H. Walker, NPS Director 1973-1975

The Rio Grande flowing through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. Getty photo by Brandon Bell.

Texans Love Big Bend for Its Wildness. Trump Wants to Put a Wall Through It.

“It’s been a big shock, and people are reeling,” said Bob Krumenaker, a former superintendent of Big Bend National Park and a member of Keep Big Bend Wild, a small[…]

Known as the Fins of Fire, these intrusive volcanic dikes are what remain after the surrounding rock has eroded away, forming walls across the landscape/Rebecca Latson file

Wilderness, The Last Frontier

Though it’s not assured of success, there’s an effort under way to see nearly 720,000 acres in Big Bend National Park in Texas designated as wilderness. While the park[…]

KBBW Video Card

Video: Keep Big Bend Wild in 5 Minutes

If you only have 5 minutes to learn about Keep Big Bend Wild, watch this stunning video produced by the KBBW team.

Alpine, Texas, Photo by Dave Hensley, Wikimedia Creative Commons

Alpine City Council supports Keep Big Bend Wild

A resolution of the city council of the city of Alpine, Texas supporting the wilderness designation for undeveloped areas of Big Bend National Park.

The desert scenery of Big Bend National Park. Photo by Brandon Jakobeit

Texas Highways | Texas Conservationists Want to Keep the ‘Wilderness’ in Big Bend National Park

Originally posted on Texas Highways April 11, 2020. Ask fans of Big Bend National Park about their favorite qualities of the rugged West Texas expanse, and you’ll get a[…]

The Rio Grande wends its way through Big Bend National Park, with Santa Elena Canyon in the distance. Tim Speer, Getty.

Texas Monthly | The “Keep Big Bend Wild” Effort Aims to Forever Protect Texas’s First National Park

Originally posted on Texas Monthly March 17,2022. A record 581,000 travelers visited Big Bend National Park last year. Tourists are drawn to this prickly desert paradise in far West[…]

Big Bend National Park/Rebecca Latson photo of Goat Mountain

National Parks Traveler | Seeking Wilderness at Big Bend National Park

Originally posted on National Parks Traveler March 1, 2022. Big Bend National Park draws its name from a hard curve in the Rio Grande River that separates this part[…]

National Parks Traveler Podcast Image

National Parks Traveler Podcast | Seeking Official Big Bend Wilderness

Originally posted on National Parks Traveler February 27, 2022. You could say they’re not making any more wilderness across the National Park System…but that’s not to say we can’t[…]

Support Keep Big Bend Wild

Click this button to add your name to the growing list of individuals, businesses, and organizations supporting a wilderness designation for the undeveloped lands of Big Bend National Park.

If you would also be willing to help support Keep Big Bend Wild financially please click Donate. 

Every contribution helps defray the cost of our volunteers to produce materials and travel to meetings to build awareness and strengthen our coalition. 

Contributions supporting Keep Big Bend Wild are managed by the El Paso Community Foundation and are tax deductible as allowed by law.

© 2026 Keep Big Bend Wild.
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Images © Rebecca Latson.

Keep Big Bend Wild
P.O. Box 66
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834