Big Bend is unlike any other place you’ve ever been to. Those who have been to this unique National Park will tell you, it’s truly something to experience. From breathtaking landscapes to world-class stargazing — there’s plenty of reasons why this park deserves a spot on your travel list. Here is your guide to visiting Big Bend National Park.
Why Big Bend?
With unique terrain and a wildly remote location, this park is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. The park offers hiking, camping, river running, horseback riding, mountain biking, birding, wildlife sightings, overlanding, fossil discovery, abundant sightseeing opportunities, and more on paved and 4×4 roads alike. On your less adventurous days, you can soak in the natural hot spring, take a scenic drive, or even cross the border by row boat to enjoy the tourist town of Boquillas, Mexico. And that’s just the beginning.
The Rich History
In the past, many had deemed the area as too remote and dangerous to be of any human use. The Spaniards had dubbed the area “El Despoblado,” which translates to “the uninhabited land.” Even during aggressive settling endeavors of westward expansion, Big Bend’s remote location and harsh terrain dissuaded most aspiring settlers from making it home until the 1850s. Settlers began to come to these once avoided uninhabited areas as miners and ranchers. But just because some called it home, didn’t make it an easy living. Surviving in Big Bend was hard, but fruitful. Flash to 1944, the magical land that we now call Big Bend was set aside for generations to enjoy.
The name ‘Big Bend’ was inspired by the natural curve that the Rio Grande river forges as the border between the United States and Mexico.
Location
Big Bend is often described as a ‘hidden gem’ or ‘best kept secret’ because of its remote and anything-but-casual location. The park experiences less visitors than most national parks, but this is what makes this park so amazing. Park goers can experience vast natural land, active wildlife, and true dissociation from modern life — all without the interruption of crowds of people. However, what makes this park so revered for its beauty and mystique, is also what makes it very dangerous. The extreme desert climate paired with being in the middle-of-nowhere can be dangerous without enough water and the right gear.
The largest of Texas’ only two national parks, this park spans 1,525 miles in Southwest, Texas, but feels like another world. If you’re familiar with Texas, it should be said that this national park doesn’t feel like or look like anything you’ve ever seen in the Lone Star State. It’s home to the entire Chisos Mountain Range, part of the Chihuahuan desert, biodiverse flora, fauna, eclectic terrain, arguably the best hiking in Texas and much more. While the park is extremely remote, it’s in good company with a few unique towns within two to three hours from the park.This includes tourist favorite, Marfa, Texas, home to the lonesome Prada store, and legendary ghost town, Terlingua.
Lodging in Big Bend
After a full day of adventure, going home for a warm meal and bed is one of the best parts of the day. Depending on the type of experience you want to have, there’s a few options for lodging in and around the park that range from primitive to modern.
Developed Campgrounds – $16/night – There are four frontcountry campgrounds that provide drinking water, restroom facilities, and full hookup RV camping spots. Once you’re all set up, you can choose to car camp or set up your tent. Reservations are required.
Primitive Camping – $10/night – For adventurers with a rugged 4×4 vehicle and the itch for some intense backcountry camping, this option is for you. Venture miles for the nearest paved road at designated primitive camping spots. These campsites only provide a flat area for your tent and a bear box. These spots must be reserved in person at the Panther Junction Visitor Center.
Hotels Nearby – Price varies – If you want to stay inside the park but also indoors, the Chisos Mountain Lodge is for you. This hotel is open all year and offers a variety of rooms and cottages. If you’re looking to stay in one of the unique towns around the park, you’ll have to make the two to three hour drive to the park. There’s plenty of hotels, AirBnbs, Hipcamp camping spots and other home-sharing options in the surrounding towns of Terlingua and Marathon, but be sure to book ahead.
Hiking
Big Bend is full of hiking. From moderate and epic day hikes to multi-day backpacking routes, there’s a trail for every skill level. Regardless of your skill level or duration of your hiking adventure, it’s important to bring more than enough water for you and your hiking companions. It’s best to plan for at least one gallon per person, per day in the desert. Although, use your best judgement if you should bring more depending on the duration of your hike. Along with your hydration packs and bottles, you should bring nutritionally dense snacks and the proper gear for any potential weather.
Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.7 miles
This canyon is iconic to Big Bend. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a do-not-miss hike with a huge pay off. Trek along the edge of the Rio Grande towered by 1,500 foot limestone walls effortlessly loom over. The trailhead begins at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive at a parking lot.
Lost Mine Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.8 miles
Known as one of the best shorter day hikes in the park, this route is a must and with 1,131 foot elevation gain, it’s also a work out. Enjoy seasonally beautiful wildflowers throughout and amazing vistas starting one mile into this hike that continue for the rest of the trail.
Emory Peak Trail
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 10.4 miles
The most epic, technical and difficult hike in the whole park is Emory Peak Trail. With 2,522 feet of elevation gain and 25 feet rock scramble at the very end, this route should be taken seriously. The vistas once you summit this 7,832 feet high peak will make it all worth it.
While there’s so many more amazing hikes in this park, these are just some noteworthy treks. Here’s a few others to keep in mind for your visit: South Rim Trail, The Window Trail and Balanced Rock Trail.
Other Activities
Paddle Down the Rio Grande – Take a guided kayaking or canoeing tour through the Santa Elena Canyon. These trips usually last all day and include lunch. If you’re experienced and have your own gear, you’ll need a permit. Good news is that they’re free, but may take some time to acquire so plan ahead before planning to paddle on your own.
Overland in the Backcountry – Whether you drive your own 4X4 or rent one for the trip, this park is an overlander’s paradise. The seemingly endless unpaved roads make way for exploring and wildlife watching. Among all of the unpaved roads, Black Gap Road is most unkempt and extreme which requires 4-wheel drive the whole time.
Backpack into the Wild – There are backpacking campsites in both the Chisos mountains and within the desert. Make sure your group doesn’t exceed 15 people and again, bring much more water that you think you’ll need.
Climb in the Desert – While there’s not a lot of climbing in the park, there is some. The park offers mostly traditional and bouldering routes. You can view the Climber’s Guide to Big Bend here to learn more.
Relaxing
Surprisingly, there’s just as many ways to kick back in Big Bend as there are to adventure.
Soak in the Hot Springs – You have to hike to this one, but the payoff is a natural 105-degree-Fahrenheit hot spring. The trail is an easy .6 miles (1.2 mile round trip) to a small-yet-powerful hot spring that has been said to have special healing qualities. Be sure to check if the hot spring is open before your trip as it sometimes closes seasonally.
Star and Planet Gazing – Southwest Texas is known for enchanting dark skies where constellations, planets and our very galaxy are known to be visible to the naked eye. Big Bend National Park is a designated National Dark Sky Park that’s free from almost all light pollution.
Visit Boquillas, Mexico – This is when your passport will come in handy. It costs only $5 to cross the Rio Grande River in a row boat then ride a donkey or burro into the touristy border town of Boquillas. This is the perfect place to temporarily reconnect with modern life as you grab some food and drinks.
Drive Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – This 30-mile drive showcases the rugged beauty of this area all from the comfort of your vehicle. The route features scenic turn offs and overlooks that end at the iconic Santa Elena Canyon.
Explore Fossil Discovery Center – Once you realize dinosaurs used to roam this park, it’s impossible to not see the vast landscape as once home to the dominant species that came before us. Visitors can explore the changes that the land, flora, and fauna have endured for the last 130 millions years in this educational pit stop that explores fossils and geologic history.
When to Visit
If you want to explore a majority of what this park has to offer, you should plan to spend a minimum of three days in the park. When you plan to visit is a large factor of the experience you’ll have. It’s important to note that Big Bend is a desert and will experience extreme weather in the more intense seasons of summer and winter. This makes the best time to visit the park is during the transitional seasons of spring and fall. However, the most popular time to visit is during late winter through spring — with March being the busiest month. No matter which season you decide to visit, you’ll need to pack and prepare for potentially extreme weather.
Summer – Temperatures can reach over 100-degrees-Fahrenheit. June-August are the hottest months. If you visit in the summer, avoid hiking mid-day.
Spring – Watch out for travel during spring break as it can get very busy. This season is also known to be drier than normal.
Fall – Usually mild heat during the day with sometimes freezing temperatures at nightfall.
Winter – Traffic in the park increases during the winter holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Wildlife
This desert is anything but devoid of life. The park is teaming with natural activity day and night. Depending on the season, your chances of seeing wildlife in this park are pretty high. For example, during my visit in late October, I encountered: black bear cubs, wild horses, aoudads, desert cottontails, coyotes, foxes and javelinas, to name a few.
According to the National Park Service, Big Bend is home to:
- 450 species of bird
- 75 species of mammal
- 56 species of reptiles
- 11 species of amphibians
- 40 species of fish
Among the many species that live in the park, a number of those are predators or poisonous that adventurers should be aware of. Black bears and mountain lions both call this park home. In case of a bear sighting, make sure you’re aware of how to handle a potential encounter. The same goes for meeting a mountain lion. While both of these predators usually try to avoid humans, encounters in this park can happen and it’s best to take that possibility and every interaction extremely seriously. Be sure to use park-provided bear boxes or a bear vault if you’re camping.This will deter unwanted visitors from stopping by. Beyond larger predators, park goers should be mindful of venomous snakes, scorpions, spiders, and centipedes are all active during the warmer months. It’s best practice to inspect your shoes, sleeping bags, bedding, and anything else that may be on the ground before use.
In the event that you encounter one of the many animals that call Big Bend home, it’s important to remember to not intervene in any way. Keep yourself and the animal safe and, of course, leave no trace.
Photography Hotspots
Big Bend’s landscape effortlessly weaves in and out of picturesque lush forestry and desert paradise. It can feel endless when you’re in the middle of it. Among countless breathtaking corners and vistas, there are a few that consistently remain the most visited.
Santa Elena Canyon – Admire the Rio Grande River as it passes through towering desert cliffs at one of the most popular natural features. To see it in its entirety, rent a kayak or canoe to paddle down into the canyon.
Balanced Rock – From the Grapevine Hills Trailhead you’ll start on an easy hike for two miles up to the iconic Balanced Rock.
Anywhere at Sunset – Seriously. West Texas is known for its epic sunsets.
The Entrance Sign – Not only is this sign huge, the backdrop displays magical mesas and desert.
Packing
Big Bend’s arid climate and drastic weather changes can be very dangerous if you’re not prepared. Beat the heat, bundle up for winter or fall nights, and protect your skin from the blazing sun with the proper gear.
Big Bend Packing Checklist
- Water, water, water! One gallon per person, per day
- Headlamps
- Hats
- Passport
- Long-sleeved shirts / Sun shirts
- Sunscreen
- Hiking boots
- Warm clothes for nightfall i.e. fleece pullovers, puffers, etc.
- Water shoes
- Bathing Suit
No matter when you decide to experience Big Bend National Park, you’ll be glad you did.
Articles and Photos by Christin Workman
Christin (she/her) is a writer and outdoor enthusiast. She’s a backpacker, hiker, ‘baby’ climber and a stop-and-smell-the-wildflowers kind of adventurer. Christin lives in Colorado with her husband, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and a myriad of plants. When she’s not playing with words, she’s either out in backcountry, tending to the garden or practicing aerial arts.
