The National Park Service says rising costs, design challenges, and delays have put the Chisos Mountains Lodge project on hold.
Editor’s Note: This story updates RV Miles’ earlier report on the planned Chisos Basin closure at Big Bend National Park.
Big Bend National Park visitors are getting a reprieve. The Chisos Basin is no longer set to close in May 2026, at least for now.
In an update posted by the National Park Service, officials said the planned construction of the Chisos Mountains Lodge and other Chisos Basin improvements will not proceed as planned. That means the previously announced closure of the Chisos Basin area, including the campground, is no longer moving forward on that timeline.
Why the Sudden Change?
According to the park, the project has run into several problems since it was approved and funded in 2019. The agency said design complexities, implementation delays, and sharply higher construction costs have all stretched the project timeline and created a major budget shortfall.
That shortfall now prevents full funding for both the lodge reconstruction and the Chisos Basin water system rehabilitation. Park officials say they are reevaluating available financial resources and exploring other ways to move the work forward.
For travelers, the immediate takeaway is simple: Big Bend National Park remains fully open to visitors, and the Chisos Basin closure that had been expected for 2026 is off for the time being.
Will the National Park Service Reschedule the Construction?
This update changes the timeline from the park’s earlier plan, which called for construction to begin on May 1, 2026, with the Basin closing for about two years during the work.
The National Park Service has not announced a new start date for the broader lodge project. For now, visitors who were hoping to camp, hike, or stay in the Chisos Basin appear to have more time than expected.
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