Big Bend National Park is a beautiful rocky oasis in Texas that includes a myriad of hiking trails that are enjoyable for all ages and experience levels. The park is home to cacti, yucca plants, Arizona cypress, coyotes, jackrabbits, owls, and more. Big Bend National Park is also one of the places that the Colimba Warbler bird calls home. For a fun, nature-filled adventure, plan your trip to Big Bend today.
Scenic Drive & Lookouts The Maxwell Scenic Drive is an experience you don’t want to miss when visiting Big Bend National Park. This road stretches through 30 miles of the park, winding along old, pioneer settlements and lookouts that provide unforgettable views into the Santa Elena Canyon. Travel down this stretch of the road at dawn for a sunrise you will never forget.
Hiking Big Bend National Park is filled with scenic hiking trails for those who love to explore the outdoors on foot. Take a look at some of the visitor’s favorite trails at Big Bend:
Lost Mine Trail: Trek through the 5-mile long Lost Mine Trail and travel back in time. Rumor has it that Spanish conquistadors found silver near the Chisos Mountains and tried to force Native Americans to mine the area. However, the natives were quick to fight back, sealing the mine, the location lost forever.
South Rim Trail: More experienced hikers can enjoy a 13 miles trek across the southern rim of the Chisos Mountains on the South Rim Trail. Usually, a multi-day hike, this trail leads to some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding desert and towering mountains.
Window Trail: The Window, the unofficial symbol of Big Bend National Park, is home to one of the area’s most popular hiking trails. Starting at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, the trail leads down into a thin doorway in the rocky rim that stands along the Chisos Mountain Basin. An easy trail to descend, allow more time for your uphill return journey.
Hot Springs Bring your bathing suits and prepare for a warm soak at Big Bend’s Hot Springs. A number of historic buildings lie along the short trail that leads to the springs. Many of these buildings are left over from the early 1900’s when the area was converted into a resort with a general store, post office, and other buildings. After the Great Depression, the resort became a ghost town and today, all that remains are the ruins.
Mules Ear Springs Located at Mile 15 of the Maxwell Scenic Drive, Mules Ear Viewpoint gives you a stunning view of the identically named rock formation. These two famous peaks jut upwards, growing into a pointed shape at the top. For a closer look, visitors can hike the Mules Ears Spring Trail, a 3.8-mile route with an easy-moderate difficulty level. At the base of the formation, you’ll find the Mules Ear Springs as well as a small, old structure made from Adobe.
Santa Elena Canyon Big Bear National Park’s breathtaking Santa Elena Canyon was formed by movement along the Terlingua fault which stretches throughout the expanse of the park. This massive canyon is visible from miles away, its walls plunging 1500 feet in the air. Santa Elena Canyon is often referred to as The Grand Canyon of Texas. A number of paths extend alongside the river, flowing through the deep gorge. Here, you can explore shady steps that lead peacefully along the water’s edge.
Chisos Mountain Basin Located in the heart of Big Bend National Park, the Chisos Mountains stretch across the park for nearly twenty miles. Notably, the Chisos Mountains are the only mountain range that is completely contained inside one park. The Chisos Mountain Basin is a deep valley fit snugly in the middle of craggy volcanic peaks that tower more than 2000 feet above the ground. The Basin is a must-visit location for hikers as it is home to a number of intertwining trails. With everything from short, easy hikes to multi-day backcountry routes, this spot is accessible to all ages.
Excursions Outside the Park There are a number of interesting destinations to visit on your way into or out of Big Bend National Park. Stop at the 12 Gage Restaurant for a warm and hospitable meal. Located in a restored rancher’s hotel in the small town of Marathon, Gage Restaurant and the accompanying White Buffalo Bar boast some of the finest food in the area. Also worth visiting is the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, where you can gaze deep into the sky with its powerful telescopes. Another great spot for visitors is Marfa, Texas, a townhome to exquisite art galleries and the well-known Prada store art installation.
Terlingua Ghost Town For a spooky adventure, visit Terlingua Ghost Town, an old town a few miles west of Big Bend National Park. Here, you can visit the ruins of an old mining settlement. Once home to mercury miners, many of their old houses have been left unattended. Travel through the cemetery where the headstones display how short many mercury miners’ lives were. Today, there are many gift shops and small stores where you can stop and pick up a souvenir.
For hiking adventures and trips to any of the fun nearby locations, Big Bend National Park is the perfect place to plan a trip with lots of excitement and variety! With amazing views, unforgettable trails, relaxing hot springs, and arts and culture only an hour’s drive away, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Big Bend.
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