Prickly pear cactus, Big Bend National Park, Texas

© Tim Fitzharris/Minden Picture

Where are these prickly pears?. Prickly pear plant, Big Bend National Park, USA

Today we celebrate the 88th anniversary of Big Bend National Park in Texas. Since this humongous park was established in 1935, it has welcomed nature lovers and adventure seekers. The park's southern boundary is marked by the Rio Grande that separates Texas and Mexico. If you look at a map of the park and the river, it's clear how it got its name!

Big Bend includes numerous archaeological sites that offer a glimpse of the area’s rich history, from abandoned mines and ghost towns to Indigenous relics from nearly 10,000 years ago. The park offers some of the clearest skies in the US and is recognised as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a popular destination amongst stargazers and astronomers. One can also try adventure sports like hiking, river rafting and horseback riding.