barton warnock environmental education center

First, the bad...the garden was tiny, not well-kept, weedy, and not marked. That aside, the inside exhibits about the area were interesting as well as very educational and worth the time.

This is a must-stop in order to become oriented to the Big Bend State Park. The museum displays enable one to appreciate the great variety of formations that are to be found in the Park. Well supplied store and friendly rangers give helpful information for enjoying the Park.

Excellent museum and good area information from the State Park personnel regarding entrance into the Big Bend Ranch State Park.

We stopped here for the first time on our way to Big Bend Ranch State Park which we found out was closed due to quail hunting that week...bummer... The displays are well presented and the desert gardens and lookout are worth the walk.

Nice gift shop along with a wealth of information regarding the geology, flora, and fauna of the area. Short hike up to a viewing area along with a small cactus garden (a bit untended).

Be sure and observe the remembrance wall. Better yet, buy a tile to remember someone. They will paint it up for you and add it to the others.

Only recently has the TX State Park system paid attention to their Big Bend State Park, and this related Visitor's Center and display deserve support. The park ranger was friendly and helpful and looked like an old Texas Ranger. They sell a good supply of related books and maps too. Out back is an easy walking trail that identifies native flora, which is the main reason we stopped. If you're driving the River Road from Lajitas to Presidio, plan for plenty of stops because there's lots to see and do --even if you never leave the main road. And if you never leave the main road, you haven't even scratched the surface.

Another place we have visited for yeas and stop every time we go to Big Bend. They have so much information and great merchandise for sale, including my husband's books. (shameless plug) The employees are very informative and helpful. And be sure to get your pass for the Big Bend State Ranch here before you head out.

The ladies that I talked with the day I visited were very informative and knew a lot about the area, birding, and fauna. Great place to start if you are looking to hike, river raft, etc.

The ranger was extremely helpful relative to our plans for the area. The facilities are well kept up and are a credit to Texas Parks and Wildlife!

The gentleman manning the information booth offered us great information of what to see in Big Bend Ranch State Park and also nearby Big Bend National Park. We picked up some nice souvenirs for the grandkids in the gift shop. On our way home, leaving Lajitas, we stopped in again to swap a shirt for a larger size and thank the man for his excellent advice. When we asked about what was a "yellow rainbow" that someone had told us not to miss, he took the time to look up in a book the "yellow rainbow cacti" and it’s beautiful bloom. I had seen and photographed one but didn't know what I had seen. He was most helpful. It’s a great, must stop before touring Big Bend.

We took the museum tour. It was full of information about the area. Including geology, plants, animals all about the BigBend area. It takes you back in time and brings you to today with all the info along the way. My kids were even interested. Good job!I truly recommend visiting the BWEEC.

A great place for the family, friends and couples...The interpretive center is extremely informative and modern. The grounds are beautiful with great views and wonderful flora, representative of the chihuahuan desert region. The fauna (birds, rabbits, armadillo, etc) was elusive, although casual glimpses where worth it.

Be sure you leave the gift shop area and head towards the cactus garden out the back door. To the right, inside a separate door, is a wonderful exhibit that shows the geology, flora, and fauna of the area. The ranger never mentioned its existence and we discovered it by accident.

Museum exhibit is very informative about geology, plants, and animals. Just the right amount of detail, attractively displayed. And large botanical garden is both beautiful and educational. Don't miss the Overlook. Great gift shop, too.