Barton Warnock Visitors Center

Karen Gulrich

2024-04

Great introduction to the State Park.We walked the grounds and enjoyed the fact that they identify the plants you see in the area. Lots of rabbits and random lizards enjoying the garden also.Hike to the top of the hill provided a nice view of the area.The exhibit at the visitor center is awesome. It’s very well done and an informative to help you understand the area and how it was formed. I learned quite a bit of detail that I had no idea about in regard to the mountain ranges in the area.Make sure you spend some time here!

Dave Bowmaster

2023-05

Very nice center with a large garden area exhibiting many varieties of desert plants. There is a short hike up to an overlook over the Comanche Trail. The employees are great about providing maps and info.

Justine Rastigue

2024-04

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Shawn Balmos

2023-05

The best State Park in Texas! This is the largest state park In Texas in fact all of the Texas State parks combined will fit inside the boundary of the Big Bend Ranch State Park! Not the mention the neighboring Big Bend National Park!

Steve

2020-05

Nice visitor's center, helpful staff, gift shop, impressive exhibit area, beautiful gardens and an RV dump and fill station. We ended up spending about an hour. Great way to learn and about and plan your visit to Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Malia

2022-05

If you’re in the Big Bend area this visitor center should be a mandatory stop. The garden is spectacular, and the interpretive display is the best I’ve ever seen!

Pecos45

2023-08

This place was named after my uncle, Dr. Barton H. Warnock, or BH as the family called him. He knew more about the Big Bend region than anyone, living or dead. I was fortunate enough to attend the dedication ceremony here, along with my late brother, Miles Warnock. It was a great day, and this is a great place. A real gem in our Texas State Park system.

mark rockeymoore

2022-05

An unexpected jewel of a find. A well-planned and executed geological, archaeological and biological breakdown of the landscape and its denizens. The Rangers were helpful and the building itself was well made and unique.

Denise Maier

2024-04

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Fred Clause

2020-05

Entrance to BBR State Park is exceptionality beautiful and informative. The displays explaining the history of the area are the best I've seen in any stays or national park. The staff was very knowledgeable and patient with our many questions. Overall, a great experience.

Big Bend Boating & Hiking Company Erin

2020-05

The visitor center for the Big Bend Ranch State Park has very impressive exhibits. If you are interested in geology, cultural history, flora and fauna then go to the Warnock Center, as this is the best exhibit in the area. They are also very knowledgeable about the trails in the park that are great for hiking and mountain bike riding.

Sean Groom

2024-02

Beautiful landscape, be sure to ask specific questions to receive specific answers as Rangers are very busy to be overly helpful.

Mark Alexandre

2018-05

Too many visitors to Big Bend Ranch State Park skip the opportunity to walk through the Environmental Education Center located just behind the Barton Warnock Visitor Center. ⚠️ BIG MISTAKE!If you have any interest at all in the distinctive flora (especially 🌵 cacti) of West Texas and the wider Chihuahua Desert — and who doesn't? — then you will surely enjoy a relaxed stroll through the carefully planted, clearly labelled, and well-maintained walkways and hillock behind the Center, where you can view close up a tremendous variety of local cactus, shrubbery, small trees and other plant life endemic to the whole region — all gathered together in this one compact, xeriscaped display.Some of the less common plants displayed here you may otherwise never run across in an initial or even later visit to Big Bend — so see (and photograph) them here. Learn a few of their names so you can impress your friends when hiking through the parks.Offering good views of the Lajitas area, the eastern end of the state park, and the adjacent Mexico border region, you may well fine yourself wanting to spend at least a couple hours here.

Pam Starr

2019-05

Visitor center is well maintained and well staffed. Rangers knowledgeable about area and willing to discuss activities and offer suggestions regarding your interests and activity levels.

Waylon Hernández

2023-05

Was so awesome to be part of the Big Bend Ultra.

scott chidester

2023-10

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Josue de la Torre

2018-05

Great place to plan your visit to Big Bend Ranch. Make time to explore the exhibits and nature area.

Shane Yoder

2023-05

Great helpful rangers and amazing veiws.

Jeanette Higgins

2023-05

Very basic visitor center. Basically a place to get a pass.

Timothy Flathers

2023-05

Barron Warnock is a worthwhile visit if you're in the Big Bend. If heading to the interior of Big Bend Ranch State Park, be aware it is another 2.25-2.5 hours from here to the Sauceda Ranger Station. Unless you're coming from the National Park, I suggest going through Presidio and checking in at the visitor center at Fort Leaton, just minutes from the road to the interior. The only exception: If you've never driven the River Road (TX170 from Lajitas to Presidio) it is a must see. It's an extra hour driving but worth it.

My Desert Love Designs and Blog

2016-05

This is a must stop for all those driving through. Unbelievable gift shop with a great selection of regional goods as well as interesting and informative theme items for the area. So much fun! Its a great stop - bathrooms, picnic and walk through their indoor museum. They also have a small garden with a lot of the natural fauna displayed. With little ones I really appreciate the amenities and all the goodies to look over.

Ashton Page

2021-05

Super helpful park rangers, they all seem to like their jobs! All of the exhibits and museum areas are currently closed due to covid-19 precautions and masks are required while visiting.Also, this is the only place along the highway 170 part of Big Bend Ranch State Park with flush toilets and a sink with running water... Take advantage of this.

Gerry Sauceda

2019-05

My son and I drove 10 hours and had planned a 22 mile back country hike at Big Bend State Park. This was our first time hiking in a desert environment. When we told our plans to the Ranger at the center, he gave us valuable information about the area and took the time to explain why an alternate trail would be better since water would be scarce on the original route. We decided to take his advice, and hiked and camped 2 nights in the back country and had a great time. We were able to find water sources and find shade which is valuable in this environment.If you plan to hike, definitely visit the center and ask questions.

Zola Cater

2021-05

Stop here not only to pay your entrance fee to Big Bend Ranch State Park but also to get information about the park. There are two distinct parts and the ranger will answer all your questions and give you needed maps. This is a big park so you need to be prepared.

Rachel L

2021-05

Social distancing measures are in place. For example the little museum inside the visit center is closed. All passes are purchased by an outside window and only credit / debit cards are accepted. There is a restroom available, but only one person / family at a time can use it. Passes can be reserved online. The ranger was helpful with recommending hikes for us and answering questions from any guest.

Gary Hypes (hypesgary)

2024-01

Thank you for the great information on local hikes.

Chris Towner

2022-05

Good stop if passing through Lajitas. Rangers are helpful and it has very clean restrooms. A small gift shop with Big Bend Ranch state park goodies.

Whitney Main

2022-05

Informative exhibit information here. Must walk through if you are near and have time.

Matthew Sherman

2019-05

Staff was very helpful. But if you are driving in from far away ( which is most people). Try to get there early, because they close right at 4:30PM. Also once you are in the park there is no wifi or cell service so stop here and take care of your digital needs before going off grid. (Which is kind of the point of entering the desert) Enjoy this special and awe inspiring state park.

Sylva Maedgen

2019-05

Nice visitors center at this state park. The ranger was very helpful with suggestions for various hikes. The shop had a nice selection of souvenirs. Clean restrooms, lots of parking. On the main road in Lajitas.