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Quiz about Big Bend National Park
Quiz about Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park Trivia Quiz


Big Bend National Park lives up to its name - there is much to see and do. Take this little quiz about a big place!

A multiple-choice quiz by pusdoc. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
pusdoc
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
324,165
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
290
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Question 1 of 10
1. What is the "big bend" in the name of the park? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Emory Peak is the tallest mountain in Big Bend, at 7825 feet (2385 meters). What mountain range is it part of? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Big Bend lies within one of the four deserts of the US. Which one? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The Chihuahuan desert ecosystem is well represented in the park. What plant is the "indicator species," unique to that desert? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Before the area became a national park, several intrepid settlers attempted to launch commercial enterprises. What was successfully mined from that area? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Abutting the park on the western side is a state park, adding approximately 270,000 acres to the protected land in the area. What is the name of the state park? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Every fall, a marauding band of Native Americans traveled from the plains over a trail through the Deadhorse Mountains in the Big Bend region. They harassed other tribes they encountered here and the Spanish settlements nearby in Mexico. What tribe has this trail named for them? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. As the park is very large, there are several Visitor Centers. Which is the main headquarters? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Who was president of the US when Big Bend became a national park? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Big Bend National Park is definitely big. Where does it rank amongst all US national parks? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What is the "big bend" in the name of the park?

Answer: A bend in the Rio Grande River

The Rio Grande stretches nearly 2000 miles, from its origin in Colorado to its delta at the Gulf of Mexico. At Big Bend, it takes a large swing northward before again heading south - this defines the southwestern section of Texas. The river has several beautiful canyons within the park boundaries.

There are several fault lines visible in the park, and enormous flying reptile fossils have been found there. Trees are not common in most sections of the park, so that answer is the least likely.
2. Emory Peak is the tallest mountain in Big Bend, at 7825 feet (2385 meters). What mountain range is it part of?

Answer: Chisos

The Chisos is the only mountain range entirely enclosed in a US national park. Guadalupe Peak is the tallest mountain in the state of Texas, at 8751 feet (2667 meters). It is far north of Big Bend. Big Bend is within the Trans-Pecos portion of Texas, which refers to the area west of the Pecos River, not to another mountain range. The Chiricahuas are in Arizona.
3. Big Bend lies within one of the four deserts of the US. Which one?

Answer: Chihuahuan

The Chihuahuan desert is predominantly located within Mexico, but does extend northward into Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Most of the desert lies at 1000-4000 feet elevation.
4. The Chihuahuan desert ecosystem is well represented in the park. What plant is the "indicator species," unique to that desert?

Answer: lechuguilla

An agave, lechuguilla produces a tall flower spike with terminal seed pods. The plant dies after flowering, which may be after 30 years of growth. Also known as "shindagger", the leaves are quite sharp. Saguaro is the indicator species for the Sonoran desert, Joshua tree for Mojave and sagebrush for the Great Basin.
5. Before the area became a national park, several intrepid settlers attempted to launch commercial enterprises. What was successfully mined from that area?

Answer: mercury

Terlingua, a town outside the western point of the park, has preserved remnants of the mercury mining operations in a ghost town open for tourism. Workers labored in the mines in around the clock shifts; the men who worked the ovens used to bake the mercury out of the cinnabar rock got paid the most but likely suffered the most health effects.

The cemetery is full of victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic, which claimed more lives than mercury poisoning. The Mariscal mine is within the park boundaries - visiting requires a drive on a rough road and a short hike.
6. Abutting the park on the western side is a state park, adding approximately 270,000 acres to the protected land in the area. What is the name of the state park?

Answer: Big Bend Ranch State Park

The State Park houses a herd of longhorns and holds an annual roundup for wannabe cowboys. It is the largest state park in Texas, and contains the second-highest waterfall in the state (Madrid Falls). The section of the Rio Grande contained within the state park includes Colorado Canyon, a popular rafting spot.

The park includes the Barton Warnock environmental center, with a lovely desert garden - it is a great place to learn the plants before venturing into either the national or state park. Saucedo Lodge is within the state park, as is Pack Saddle Mountain.
7. Every fall, a marauding band of Native Americans traveled from the plains over a trail through the Deadhorse Mountains in the Big Bend region. They harassed other tribes they encountered here and the Spanish settlements nearby in Mexico. What tribe has this trail named for them?

Answer: Comanche

The Comanches had little contest from the resident Chisos tribe, but the Apaches were formidable enemies. The full moon in September is referred to as the "Comanche moon" - when the raiders on horseback usually appeared.
8. As the park is very large, there are several Visitor Centers. Which is the main headquarters?

Answer: Panther Junction

Although panthers (AKA mountain lion, cougar, puma) are unlikely to be seen at the busy visitors' center, they are found within the park and appropriate caution should be taken. Bears have moved back into the park after being extirpated earlier in the 20th century. Panther Junction is located fairly centrally in the park,
9. Who was president of the US when Big Bend became a national park?

Answer: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The park was authorized by Congress in 1935. It opened in 1944, so FDR was president during both events.
10. Big Bend National Park is definitely big. Where does it rank amongst all US national parks?

Answer: 15th

Well, it still seems huge at over 800,000 acres. The largest US national park is Wrangell in Alaska at 13.2 million acres; the largest in the lower 48 is Death Valley at 3.3 million acres. There are 58 national parks, so at number 15, Big Bend is in the top quartile give or take a few percentage points.
Source: Author pusdoc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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