TPWD Acquires 671-Acre Property Near Big Bend National Park

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX — Heath Canyon Ranch, a 671-acre property that neighbors Big Bend National Park, was recently purchased by the Nature Conservancy in Texas and gifted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The property, which included 1.2 miles of river frontage along the Rio Grande, was bought for nearly $1.2 million 

The ranch also has the only take-out point for the popular Boquillas Canyon tour through Big Bend National Park. 

“The Heath Canyon addition will expand outdoor recreational opportunities from river access, to hiking, wildlife viewing and public hunting. We are excited for Texans to enjoy this unique property,” TPWD Wildlife Division Director Alan Cain said in a news release.

Surrounded by Big Bend National Park, Black Gap WMA, Brushy Canyon Preserve and other state-owned lands, the property once created a space of relatively unaltered wildlife habitats.

TNC Associate Director of Land Protection Jeff Francell said, “As a former river guide, I am extremely pleased that The Nature Conservancy, along with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and several private foundations, were able to work so quickly to secure the property, funding and long-term management of this critical natural resource and public access point to the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande River.”

TPWD and the National Park Service will work on a long-term natural resource management plan that factors in sustainable, low-impact public access, the release stated.

A timeline for the ranch’s developments as part of that plan has not yet been released.