All parks › Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle, 7 days
- $30[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- March[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 120[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River is a unit of the National Park System in Texas[5]. NPS lists a private vehicle entrance fee of $30 and says the park is open 24 hours a day[1][6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $30 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[7].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[8].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the park as open 24 hours a day, all year[6]. NPS describes February to April as warming from the mid-70sF to the low-90sF, and says cold fronts can bring freezing weather[10]. From May to August, NPS says temperatures can pass 100F and storms are possible[10]. From September to January it is cooler, and NPS notes the weather can turn cold at any time[10]. In 2025 the busiest month for recreation visits was March, with 45 counted visits[2]. The park had 120 recreation visits in 2025[3].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 10 |
| February | 31 |
| March | 45 |
| April | 2 |
| May | 0 |
| June | 11 |
| July | 6 |
| August | 0 |
| September | 0 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 0 |
| December | 15 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or less where they are allowed[11]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, and service animals are excepted[11]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 3 of its 9 things to do here, and each park can close more areas to pets[12][11].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment, according to NPS[8].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[7].
- NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80 and the Senior Annual Pass at $20[9].
- The private vehicle fee covers all occupants and is valid for 7 days, per the NPS note[1].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS park page before you go.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee?
- NPS lists $30 for a private vehicle, which covers all occupants and is valid for 7 days[1].
- Is Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River open all year?
- NPS lists the park as open around the clock every day of the year[6].
- Can I use an America the Beautiful pass?
- Yes, NPS says the park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[7]. The Resident Annual Pass is listed at $80[9].
- Can I pay entrance fees in cash?
- NPS says entrance fees here are cashless, so use a card or mobile payment[8].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $30. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 275, 2022: 263, 2023: 300, 2024: 172, 2025: 120. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Rio Grande Village Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: Wild & Scenic River) in Texas. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River: Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. National Park Service
- Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 9 things to do at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River: Big Bend Junior Rangers, View the Night Sky, See the Rio Grande, Visit Boquillas, Mexico, Join A Ranger, Become a Big Bend Expert, Find The Perfect Sunrise & Sunset, Enjoy Sunset at Rio Grande... National Park Service