Panther Junction · Altitude not shown until sourced

Sotol Vista

A paved Big Bend overlook that NPS specifically identifies for stargazing.

Promising skies. Check access first.

Forecast availableSky conditions onlyRecommendation paused

Sunset 19:57Astronomical dark 21:16Sunrise 07:39

98Sky conditions only

Good↗

Moon for the selected night

Waxing crescent

34% · Above horizon

34%

Excellent

Cloud

Wind 36.7 km/h

Excellent

Rain chance

Visibility 44 km

Good

Humidity

43% · 26°C

Visibility 44 km

Hourly sky conditions

Wed, Sep 16

Lawful arrival point not verified

Checks before departure

Sotol Vista has a paved loop, parking, and a vault toilet. The park is remote and current alerts and Ross Maxwell road status remain mandatory.

Current access notices

Big Bend is remote; after-hours entry does not mean visitor services are open.

Lawful arrival point not verifiedStatus source expiredNWS warning status not verifiedAirNow smoke status not verifiedActual road-owner status not verified

Opening window: Big Bend entrances are open 24 hours, subject to current emergency, fire, flood, road, and site closures.
Reservation: No short-term stargazing reservation is represented; campgrounds require separate reservations.
Transport: Treat this as an already-at-Big-Bend decision and carry water, fuel, and a return plan.
Road and arrival: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the external approach must have current NPS and DriveTexas clearance.
Facilities: Paved loop road · Auto and RV parking · Vault toilet
Protected-area rules: Short-term viewing does not create a campsite. Use only lawful parking and return to booked lodging or camping.
Language support: Official visitor information is available in English.
Time basis: America/Chicago
Forecast and viewing coordinates: 29.21455, -103.37660
Altitude: Altitude not shown until sourced

Before you stargaze

· Give your eyes about 10 minutes to adapt to the dark after arrival.
· Keep flashlights and vehicle lights low for other stargazers.
· Recheck NWS warnings, AirNow smoke, cloud, wind, heat, cold, and the managing authority immediately before departure.
· Verify the lawful arrival point, current park or operator status, actual road owner, fuel, services, and return separately from the sky score.

Sources and checked dates

NPS - Sotol Vista

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

OpenStreetMap - Sotol Vista parking

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Jan 6, 2027, 02:00

NPS - Big Bend current conditions

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

DriveTexas and NPS Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive status

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

IANA Time Zone Database

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Jan 6, 2027, 02:00

NIST daylight saving time rules and Arizona exception

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Jan 6, 2027, 02:00

National Weather Service Alerts Web Service

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

AirNow current observations and PM2.5 services

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

Checks before departure

Sotol Vista has a paved loop, parking, and a vault toilet. The park is remote and current alerts and Ross Maxwell road status remain mandatory.

Current access notices

Big Bend is remote; after-hours entry does not mean visitor services are open.

Lawful arrival point not verifiedStatus source expiredNWS warning status not verifiedAirNow smoke status not verifiedActual road-owner status not verified

Opening window

Big Bend entrances are open 24 hours, subject to current emergency, fire, flood, road, and site closures.

Reservation

No short-term stargazing reservation is represented; campgrounds require separate reservations.

Transport

Treat this as an already-at-Big-Bend decision and carry water, fuel, and a return plan.

Road and arrival

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the external approach must have current NPS and DriveTexas clearance.

Facilities

Paved loop road · Auto and RV parking · Vault toilet

Protected-area rules

Short-term viewing does not create a campsite. Use only lawful parking and return to booked lodging or camping.

Language support

Official visitor information is available in English.

Time basis

America/Chicago

Forecast and viewing coordinates

29.21455, -103.37660

Altitude

Altitude not shown until sourced

Before you stargaze

· Give your eyes about 10 minutes to adapt to the dark after arrival.

· Keep flashlights and vehicle lights low for other stargazers.

· Recheck NWS warnings, AirNow smoke, cloud, wind, heat, cold, and the managing authority immediately before departure.

· Verify the lawful arrival point, current park or operator status, actual road owner, fuel, services, and return separately from the sky score.

Sources and checked dates

NPS - Sotol Vista

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

OpenStreetMap - Sotol Vista parking

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Jan 6, 2027, 02:00

NPS - Big Bend current conditions

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

DriveTexas and NPS Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive status

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

IANA Time Zone Database

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Jan 6, 2027, 02:00

NIST daylight saving time rules and Arizona exception

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Jan 6, 2027, 02:00

National Weather Service Alerts Web Service

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00

AirNow current observations and PM2.5 services

Checked: Jul 10, 2026, 03:00 · Review by: Aug 9, 2026, 03:00