In late January, the National Park Service (NPS) shut down portions of Texas’ Big Bend National Park, citing a critical water shortage near the park’s only hotel. Chisos Mountains Lodge remains fully closed, while water spigots, sinks, and toilets at parts of the park have also been shut off.
The closures come after a water pump failed in December at Oak Spring, which provides the sole water source to the Chisos Basin area, staff wrote on Facebook. Local media outlets, including My San Antonio and the San Antonio Express-News, first reported the restriction.
While the NPS has not disclosed the cause of the pump failures, such malfunctions can occur during water shortages, as pumps rely on water to remain lubricated and cooled. Outside contacted the NPS for further clarification and will update this story if a response is received.
“The water challenges at the Chisos Basin Campground are significant and will affect the visitor experience. Chisos Basin is one of the jewels of Big Bend National Park, and while this issue is localized, it underscores the importance of investing in our national parks and addressing deferred infrastructure maintenance,” Matt Rice, Southwest regional director for the conservation nonprofit American Rivers, told Outside.
A water shortage is a troubling problem for such a biologically important park. Big Bend contains the United States’ most representative example of the diverse Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, according to the NPS. And the closure has experts like Rice concerned.
“Low flows and aging infrastructure signal a long-term challenge for river health, Big Bend National Park, and communities on both sides of the border that depend on the Rio Grande for water, wildlife, and cultural identity,” he said.
At more than 800,000 acres, Big Bend National Park is a vast desert region with scarce water resources. The Texas Parks and Wildlife reports that water shortages frequently occur in the area due to the combined effects of long-term drought and low annual rainfall, averaging less than 12 inches per year. These environmental constraints are compounded by human impact. Overuse of aquifers can lower the water table and dry up nearby springs, and irrigation for ranching accounts for a large share of the area’s water use.
“The more significant and far-reaching water challenge in Big Bend is the persistent low flows in the Rio Grande,” said Rice. “Prolonged drought, aging water infrastructure, rising temperatures, and water diversions have reduced the river in some stretches to a shallow trickle, stressing native fish and riparian habitat, limiting recreation, and undermining the international river system that defines the U.S.–Mexico border.”
It’s not just Big Bend that has seen a recent spate of water issues, either. In early 2026, multiple water line breaks shut down parts of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, including Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. Glacier National Park experienced a significant water shortage in late 2025, prompting officials to turn off area supplies at the peak of visitor season.
For now, Big Bend staff have a simpler reminder for those hoping to visit the Texas park in the near future.
“In order to be fully prepared, we recommend bringing plenty of water with you to the park,” wrote NPS. Drinking water is available from a spigot at the Big Bend visitor center, where guests can also buy bottled water.
The post What Happens When a National Park Runs Out of Water? We’re Seeing It Unfold at Big Bend. appeared first on Outside Online.
