Santa Elena Canyon is my favorite place in Big Bend. It speaks "Big Bend" in its layout, its ruggedness and its isolation. Every time I come to the park, I make sure to visit here.
The trail is not... more
If you would like a longer walk, instead of returning the way you came after visiting the Hot Springs continue on past the springs. You will come to a fork. The left fork loops up onto the top of the... more
There are a few displays in the visitors center too. They mostly explain about the animals and plants of the area. I really liked the Mountain Lion. I do not want to meet him on the trail (at least... more
After you turn off the main road onto Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive the pulloff for the Sam Nail Ranch Trail is one of the first places to stop. This is a short, dirt path that leads to the remains of the... more
When the official border crossing closed, trade coming across the border here slowed down a lot but did not stop. These enterprising Mexicn goatherders had a sideline selling souvenirs to tourists... more
A mass of dilapidated wooden board houses which have fallen into disuse. They were built by the miners who came to pan for gold in them thar hills. Quite interesting to visit. There is a hotel there,... more
The Window is one of the most popular views in the park, and has become one of the symbols of Big Bend National Park. This pour off channels all the rainwater from the high Basin to a sudden 200 foot... more
Another interesting formation in the park is called "The Mule Ears". It is a bit of a drive to this viewpoint. This also serves as the trailhead for the trail leading to Mule Ears Spring (which I did... more
If you enter the park from the North as I did your first stop should be the Persimmon Gap Visitors Center. Here you can get a map of the park, other information to help you plan your visit, and... more
The beginning section of the Rio Grand Village Nature Trail is wheelchair accessible. Here a board walk will take you across a lovely pond. Since this trail head was very close to our trailer, and... more
This big mountain range is located in Mexico on the Southeastern side of the park. It makes a very impressive shape barring the horizon when you drive towards Rio Grande Village from the Northwest. It... more
Tuff Canyon looks different than most canyons. This one is deep and narrow as opposed to the shallower and wider canyons that are more common. This is because Tuff Canyon is composed of a relatively... more
The countryside around the town of Fort Davis is beautiful. The Davis Mountains are gorgeous, and the vegetation is quite different from what you see in Big Bend National Park, with more little trees,... more
This is an easy one half-mile loop with interpretive signs along the way that takes you through the shrub habitat Chihuahuan Desert. There are a large variety of wonderful prickly pear cacti such as... more
There are a variety of other attractions nearby in West Texas: Fort Davis National Historic Site is an old fort from the days of western expansion; nearby state parks include: Big Bend Ranch State... more
At the end of the Grapevine Trail you will find a trail that climbs for one quarter mile, ending at a natural window created by boulders, called Balanced Rock. This section of the trail was fairly... more
The heart of the Davis Mountains seems to be the ultimate spot for isolation away from city lights and polluted air, ideal for a state-of-the-art modern astronomical observatory. Run by the University... more
The Basin Loop Trail is a 1.6 mile moderate difficulty trail with nice views of the window area along the route. The trail climbs a little over 200 feet and winds through shady stands of pinyon pine,... more
Cerro Castellan is a very colorful peak located near the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The multi-colored bands reveal much of the geological history of this area. Violent volcanoes, silent... more
Do not miss this nice little museum if you go to Alpine. It features explanatory panels and objects on the history and geology, fauna, flora of the region. When I went, it also had a very interesting... more
Dagger Flat Drive follows a dirt road, that you should not drive if there is heavy rain, as there can be flooding. You can pick up a booklet for 50 cents at the head of the road, which corresponds... more
The Rio Grande has carved out three magnificent canyons in the Park which start and end abruptly - one moment you are in a canyon with over 1000 feet high walls... more
OK, I didn't actually have time to hike up here, but you should try and take the time. The views from up here are World class. Try and come during the late Fall... more
Stop at the Sotol Vista Overlook on the way to Santa Elena Canyon. It is 14 miles north of the canyon and gives a nice overall view of Mexico, the canyon and... more
Big Bend National Park preserves a splendid area of the Chihuahuan desert. The latter is located mainly in Mexico, but extends North in some parts of the US in the States of Texas and New Mexico. Big...
The Rio Grande River follows the border between Texas and Mexico for over 1000 miles. 244 miles of it are administered by the National Park Service in Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is sometimes...
View Along the Popular Window View Trail
Of American's National Parks, Big Bend is one of the largest and least visited. The park has a wide range of ecosystems, starting at a little less than 2,000...
Looming like a battleship, the Chisos Mountains rise high above the surrounding Chihuahuan desert plains, standing as a bastion to the border, a few miles to the south. The Chisos are the heart of...
Big Bend National Park is not the easiest of destinations. No convenient airports or highways for that matter. It takes some planning to get there. But it is worth the effort. The desert and mountains...
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