Park · TX, US
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park is a remote Texas state park along the Rio Grande, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017. Camping is drive-up or hike-in primitive, with lodging at the Sauceda Bunkhouse, and free Night Sky Explorer Packs can be checked out. The only interior route is a 27-mile dirt road from FM 170, so allow time to drive in; Terlingua and Lajitas are nearest to the east entrance.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | TX |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Terlingua |
| Certified | 2017 |
| Coordinates | 29.5317, -104.0657 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/big-bend-ranch-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
New Moon
1% illuminated. Rises 6:48 AM CST. Sets 5:37 PM CST. Times are local to the park.
Next new moon
November 9, 2026
The darkest, best-for-stargazing night in the current lunar cycle. See the full trip planner for the next 12 months of new-moon windows.
Upcoming meteor showers
- Leonids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, November 17, 2026
- Geminids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 13, 2026
- Ursids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 22, 2026
5 nearest dark sky places
- Big Bend National Park · 87 km (54 mi)
- Black Gap Wildlife Management Area · 114 km (71 mi)
- Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve · 119 km (74 mi)
- Devils River State Natural Area, Del Norte Unit · 306 km (190 mi)
- South Llano River State Park · 423 km (263 mi)