This is what happens when more bears play inside Texas’ Big Bend National Park
One trail in Big Bend National Park has closed to the public until further notice due to “significantly increased bear activity”.
Both the upper and lower Window Trail trailheads are closed and signs have been posted, according to a social media post by park staff.
Big Bend National Park is located in Southwest Texas, about eight hours from Fort Worth.
Big Bend Superintendent Bob Krumenaker said that national park biologists are monitoring the bear activity; once the activity declines to normal levels, Window Trail will be reopened.
“Our goal is to protect both the bears and park visitors. It’s their home—we’re the guests,” he said.
Black bears are on the state’s endangered species list. Their diet is chiefly vegetation and pose less threat to livestock than other predators and seldom approach people, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
If you see a bear, report the sighting to Texas Parks and Wildlife at 1-800-792-1112.
The trail to the Hot Springs in Big Bend is also closed due to recent flooding, which filled the Hot Springs with sediment. According to the National Park Service, the area is open, but the trail to the springs is closed until further notice.
This story was originally published July 14, 2022 at 3:42 PM.
