Big Bend National Park has temporarily closed the popular Lost Mine Trail in the park's Chisos Mountains area due to "increased bear activity."
The park said in a press release the closure would begin Friday evening (October 14), and continue "until further notice."
According to the park, recent rains have led to more abundant pine and oak nuts in parts of the Chisos Mountains, attracting bears to the area as they feed in preparation for their winter "denning" period. The central higher elevations of the park are already home to what the park calls a "healthy bear population."
"During this period of heightened bear activity, we want to assure the safety of both park visitors and the bears," Superintendent Cindy-Ott Jones said in a statement.
The temporary closure does not affect any other trails or areas of the park, though the park is advising visitors more broadly to "be bear aware", and to secure all food in bear boxes available at campsites or inside vehicles.
