BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK –– The restaurant at the Chisos Mountain Lodge officially closed for renovations this week, marking the end of an era in a beloved meeting space for fans of Big Bend National Park’s sky island mountain range. In its place, concessionaire Aramark is offering a food truck for hungry hikers in the last weeks before the area shutters for good for a two-year period.
The long-awaited overhaul of facilities in the Chisos Basin has been subject to numerous delays. Originally slated to begin in May, park officials have not yet announced the selection of a contractor to complete the project and are instead projecting that ground will be broken in the fall.
The closure will not impact the rest of the park, nor will it totally close off the Chisos to visitation –– visitors will still be able to seek alternate routes to enjoy the park’s alpine views and coolest temps.