Fees
Park Entrance Fees:
Per Vehicle: $30.00
Per Motorcycle: $25.00
Per Individual: $15.00
Access, Military and Senior Pass holders: Free
Pool Entrance Fees:
Free
Rating:
Six of Ten Stars
Rating Guide Selections: C2, CP, DX, H1, P0, SX, T1, W1, A2, PF
Big Bend National Park
Situated in Big Bend national park, it is located right on the river not far from Rio Grande Village, in fact, there is a three mile hiking trail from the village to the site of the former Langford hot springs site. Also, the hot springs can be driven to, well at least the parking lot where there is a .3 mile level path along the river to the original bath house site. This short trail takes you past the hot springs resort historic buildings, now only used for display.
The bath house foundation houses the hot springs, which water is about 105 degrees, even though it felt a little cooler than that to me.
Langford Hot Springs and Healing Water
In 1909, J. O. Landford heard about the miraculous healing properties of the hot springs water in Big Bend County. It was because of a childhood disease he had contracted that made him want to learn more about these healing waters and in a short time had purchased the land. He then set out to their new home on the Rio Grande river and upon arriving began a three week treatment of bathing and drinking the water direct from the hot springs.
The results of the 21 day treatment? He felt healthier and stronger than he ever had before. He then decided to begin work on the business of making the healthy waters available to other and build a bath house and in doing so developed his land into a desert health resort.
It did not take long for word of mouth to bring in a multitude of people from all across the country to find the source of the water that could cure skin diseases, rheumatism, stomach troubles and chronic pain.
During the war south of the Rio Grande, there were often times when the skirmishes crossed into the state of Texas. It was because of this and the loss of lives of many Texas that the Langford left their home and lived in El Paso for fourteen years.
After the war ended, the Langford family returned to their home and business in 1927 and rebuilt the bathhouse and added to the resort with a lodge and motel for the convenience of their customers. At this time in the history of the country, automobiles had replaced the horse buggies and more people were traveling to bath in the hot springs.
The National Park and the Hot Springs
The Langford family lived and prospered at the resort and even built a post office. This post office caused the resort to become the focal point for many of the other people in the nearby area. The postmaster even built a small house where he lived when he was here operating the office.
Then, in 1942, the state of Texas, wanting to have a national park, began buying up properties in the vast big bend of the Rio Grande river. It was just two years later that the federal government accepted the desert lands and created the Big Bend National Park. That was in 1944 and it has been a national park for 75 years now.
The post office building was used as a visitors center and general store until the early 1950′s and then the buildings were abandoned.
The national park maintains the site, provides a vault toilet and allow free access to the hot spring healing water.
Other Hot Springs in Texas
Capote Sprngs, in West Presidio County near by to Marfa, Texas, with an average of 99 degrees F.
Krause Springs is located in Spicewood, Texas, east of Austin along SR 70, is on private property but normally open to the public, has waters from 68-70 degrees.
Barton Springs pool, is located in Austin, Texas at 2131 William Barton Drive often requires reservations and non residents are charged admission fees. The spring water is 70 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
Chinati Hot Springs, a private resort is located about an hour from Presido, TX. Turn right on highway FM 170 and drive 37 miles to and through Ruidosa to just past the General Store (closed) and when you see a sign Chinate Hot Springs-7 miles turn right on Hot Springs road.
