Big Bend National Park, Texas
The most common soil here is Corazones, on about 15% of the land: a very gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Blackgap and Chilicotal come next.
About 80% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 70% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 58% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Big Bend National Park, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corazones very gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 92K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Lingua-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 76K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Solis-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 20 percent slopes | 53K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Corazones very gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 30 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Strawhouse-Stillwell complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blackgap-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chilicotal very gravelly fine sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Leyva-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ninepoint clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Geefour silty clay, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blackgap-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geefour silty clay, 10 to 45 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mariscal-Terlingua complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bissett-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blackgap-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 16 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chilicotal-Paisano association, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mariscal-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 18K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Chillon very gravelly fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Solis-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bissett-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 70% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.