Big Bend in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 67/100 · #4 of 12 months

November is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Big Bend National Park: crowds run 63% of the March peak (58,815 average visits). Weather: highs average 78°F and lows 46°F, with 0.5″ of precipitation and 10.7 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data. The computed best months are January and February; November ranks #4 of 12.

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Big Bend in November: what the park service says

November is the month Big Bend starts selling out. From November through April the park service says the Chisos Mountains Lodge and all developed campgrounds are full every night, and Thanksgiving week is one of its named busiest periods. Expect one-in, one-out traffic control at the Chisos Basin, Lost Mine Trail and Hot Springs lots when parking fills. Book a campsite or room before you leave home; sleeping in a parking lot or on a roadside gets a citation.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in November

Big Bend averages 58,815 recreation visits in November — 63% of what March, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.

Weather & daylight

Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 78°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 46°F). It is typically dry (0.5″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.7 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CASTOLON, TX US (18 mi from park coordinates, 2,169 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Big Bend is scored on its desert floor (Castolon, 2,169 ft), where most of the park and the river sights are; the Chisos Basin (5,300 ft) runs 10–17°F cooler. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.

What to pack for Big Bend in November

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• A light layer you can shed by midday (long sleeve or windbreaker) — a 32°F swing between the average low of 46°F and high of 78°F
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Big Bend are January and February.

Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
• Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
• New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
• Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24