Big Bend National Park Trivia Quiz

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

Answer: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The park was authorized by Congress in 1935. It opened in 1944, so FDR was president during both events.

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.