Big Bend National Park lands on international list; Monarchs make their way through South Texas

Monarch Butterfly (Getty Images)

Hello and Happy Friday! Rebecca Salinas here.

We’ve made it to the end of the week and to the weekend before Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.

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If you’re looking to spend time in the city, there are plenty of outdoor events taking place this weekend, like Muertos Fest. But if you’re wanting to stay away from the big city lights, then you may want to plan a trip to Big Bend, because the national park just made the list of “25 breathtaking places and experiences.”

What makes it so special? Take a road trip and find out!

By the way, the weather in the San Antonio area will be wonderful this weekend. Our KSAT Weather Authority says we should expect chilly mornings in the 50s, followed by comfortable afternoons in the 70s. Yay!


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Big Bend National Park among ‘25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023′

An early morning view along the Rio Grande looking towards Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.

A Texas treasure has made its way to a list of top international spots to visit next year.

Big Bend National Park was listed on National Geographic’s “25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023,″ which was released on Wednesday.

The park, which is managed by the National Parks Service, was the only place in Texas and was among the few from the U.S. to make the list.

See why it made the list by clicking here.


Monarchs are migrating through South Texas

Monarchs are migrating through South Texas right now

The following was written by KSAT anchor and reporter Sarah Acosta.

The migrating Monarch is stopping on its trek in San Antonio as we speak.

KSAT 12 visited the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas where the Monarchs will soon be swarming their native vegetation by the thousands.

When we went, the Monarchs hadn’t arrived, as they are a bit late this year. We saw hundreds of Queen butterflies, which are orange butterflies that look a lot like Monarchs.

“Monarchs that come through typically cross the Rio Grande River and they come through closer to Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos,” Marianna Wright, the executive director of the National Butterfly Center said.

Click here to read about what kind of numbers the National Butterfly Center has been seeing and why that number might surprise you.


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Have a spooky weekend,

Rebecca Salinas


About the Author:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.