At the U.S. facility
There is parking and an accessible restroom, with park staff available for information. Allow time for the crossing and the return check; this is a working border facility, not just a walk down to the water.
Overview
About Boquillas Port of Entry
Why stop
- An unusual river crossing connects the park with a Mexican town.
Heads up
- You need travel documents and time for border processing.
Map
Where it is
Loading the Big Bend map
Full mapPlan your stop
Before you go
At the U.S. facility
2 active Big Bend alerts
- ClosureWeather-related road closuresDo not use these closed roads; NPS lists the closures as in effect until further notice.Official details
- InfoBoquillas Crossing schedule changeBoquillas Crossing is open Friday through Monday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; NPS says it will not change to winter hours at this time. Check current park conditions before planning a crossing.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Big Bend Tour Guide
Your drive to Boquillas Port of Entry, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Big Bend National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Big Bend audio tourRecorded for this place
Boquillas Crossing and Village0:00 / 0:30
“You're approaching Boquillas Port of Entry, the starting point for a visit to Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico.”
Plays as you drive up to Boquillas Port of Entry in the Parkwolf Big Bend Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
- Rio Grande Village Visitor Center and Store
- The Kingfisher on the Low Branch
- Marufo Vega Trail
- 110 audio storiesacross Big Bend’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Collared Peccary, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 45 trails, 64 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Boquillas Port of Entry
The only border crossing in the parkBoquillas Port of Entry is a small, staffed U.S.
Boquillas Port of Entry is a small, staffed U.S. border facility one mile down Boquillas Canyon Road. It is the only legal international crossing inside Big Bend National Park. This isn't a drive-through checkpoint: the point is to reach the Rio Grande and cross into Boquillas del Carmen. Go when Mexico is part of your day; the border process makes this a planned outing rather than a quick roadside stop.
Plan for the returnYou pass through the U.S.
You pass through the U.S. facility before walking to the river, then check in with Mexican immigration on the far bank. On the return, complete U.S. inspection again. Check the current operating days and travel-document requirements before setting out; those determine whether you can make the crossing. U.S. and Canadian citizens can use a valid passport book or card, while other travelers may need additional documents.
From the river to BoquillasA small passenger rowboat carries visitors across the Rio Grande.
A small passenger rowboat carries visitors across the Rio Grande. From the Mexican bank, Boquillas is about a half-mile on foot, or you can arrange a local ride. The village has restaurants and locally made crafts, but those are across the border, not at the U.S. port. Bring small U.S. bills for the crossing and town purchases; fees can change.
Why the port is hereThe port opened on April 10, 2013, after years of work between U.S. and Mexican agencies.
The port opened on April 10, 2013, after years of work between U.S. and Mexican agencies. It gives visitors a legal route to Boquillas while supporting tourism, scientific work, and cooperation between protected areas on both sides of the river.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Big Bend
377 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
329 sightingsCollared PeccaryMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
500 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
985 sightingsRoadrunnerMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
228 sightingsRavenMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
264 sightingsTurkey VultureMost seen around noonSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Big Bend. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
