Chinati Mountains state natural area

     This 65-mile wide scene from July 5th 2011 covers Brewster County on the border between Texas and Mexico. The Rio Grande spans the scene from north to south, highlighted by vegetation in the river valley. This region lies in the Trans Pecos ecoregion and the Chihuahuan Desert. 

     The Chinati Mountains, located in Presidio County, are the fourth largest mountain range in Texas. The Chinati Mountains State Natural Area is rugged and remote, featuring jagged peaks, vast vistas, ciénegas (springs), wilderness experiences, and very dark night skies. It lies within the Chihuahuan Desert and the Trans-Pecos Ecoregion, and has recently been included in the Big Bend Ranch State Park’s International Dark Sky designation within the International Dark Sky Association.  The Chinati Mountains State Natural Area is under development as a state park preserving trans-Pecos ecoregion plants and animals.

     The northernmost extent of Big Bend Ranch State Park (see June 2021), the biggest state park in Texas, lies in the southeast corner of the scene.