Construction of the Chisos Mountains Lodge and related improvements in Big Bend National Park has been delayed, with officials citing rising costs, design challenges and implementation setbacks that have extended the project timeline.
The project, first approved and funded in 2019, had been scheduled to begin in May 2026. However, significant increases in construction costs have created a budget shortfall, preventing full funding for both the lodge reconstruction and planned upgrades to the Chisos Basin water system.
As a result, the National Park Service is reassessing available funding and shifting its near-term focus. Officials plan to reissue a contract solicitation centered solely on rehabilitation of the Chisos Basin water system, excluding the lodge rebuild and other facility improvements. A timeline for the new solicitation has not yet been finalized.
Park officials said they continue to evaluate options to complete the lodge reconstruction and broader basin upgrades included in the original project.
Despite the delay, Big Bend National Park remains fully open to visitors. Previously anticipated closures of the Chisos Basin tied to construction will no longer take place, allowing continued access to lodging, trails and other facilities in the area.
The update was issued April 1, 2026.
