On the border with Mexico, separated by a huge bend in the Rio Grande River, Big Bend National Park is one of Texas’ most impressive natural wonders. Mountains, desert and river combine to make this area an excellent playground for hikers, campers, canoeists, bird watchers and nature lovers in general. Even if you’re just walking through the park, you’ll find interesting sights and scenery along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and a quick stop at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit or a dip in the hot springs makes for an excellent day. If that’s not enough, take a short boat ride to Mexico for lunch, discover the best spot to enjoy the sunset and stay in a luxury lodge.
1Wandeling Santa Elena Canyon
One of Big Bend National Park’s most spectacular hikes, and certainly the best reward-to-effort ratio of any hike in the park, is the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. This fantastic 1.7-mile circular hike follows the rim of the Rio Grande River in the Santa Elena Canyon, where sheer, 5,000-foot walls rise on each side of the river above you. When the water is low, you can dive into the canyon from the far end of the trail. The hike ascends about 80 feet in total and offers a beautiful view above the river at the start.
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2 Enjoy the hot springs
One of the most popular things to do in the Rio Grande Village area is to take a dip in the 105-degree Fahrenheit waters of the natural hot springs on the edge of the Rio Grande River. If you get too hot, you can cool off with a quick dip in the river. The primitive swimming pool is just 25 km from the car park along a path past icons and the remains of an old resort from the early 20th century. If you have time and want to get some great views over the Rio Grande River and the mountains, it’s definitely worth hiking the 0.5-mile hot spring. This scenic trail runs along a ridge above the hot springs and offers views of the river.
3 Rijd de Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
For a scenic drive through the park, take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive through beautiful desert scenery on your way to Castalon and the Santa Elena Canyon area. Mountain views stretch into the distance across the Chihuahuan Desert. Stop at the Homer Wilson Ranch Overlook to see the old homestead, as well as appreciate the view. The Mule Ear Springs Trail can be accessed from this highway, but even if you’re not walking, you can stop at the lookout to see these twin peaks, the cores of ancient volcanoes.
4 Learn about the natural history of the area at the Fossil Discovery exhibit
On the drive down from Marathon, north of Panther Junction, be sure to stop at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit to learn about the park’s geology. Opened in 2017, this display features outdoor areas with informational plaques and displays. The most impressive pieces are the bronze skulls of a giant alligator and a Bravoceratops dinosaur, and on the ceiling in one of the rooms, a giant pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever known. You can learn about these and other prehistoric creatures that roamed the Big Bend region.
5 Loop de Nature Trail in Rio Grande Village
If you’re looking for a short, easy, and beautiful trail near Rio Grande Village, you can’t beat the Nature Trail. On leaving the site, this path takes you out across a pond, where you can watch turtles sunbathing or fish under the low bridge that spans the water. This lush area is a stark contrast to the surrounding desert and is a good place for bird watching. On the opposite side, the trail passes through desert landscape, offering views across the pond and beyond to the Rio Grande River and distant mountains. The path leads to a viewpoint. You can make this a short walk to the bridge or do the whole walk, which is .75 miles.
6 Take a trip to the Mexican village of Boquillas
Don’t forget your passport if you want to take a short trip to a Mexican village. At Boquillas Crossing, a border guard will scan your passport before walking down to the river and greet a rowing boat from the far shore. The boat will pick you up and take you to the Mexican bank of the Rio Grande River, from where you can take a ride on a horse, donkey or vehicle. From the river it is about a mile to the village. You can walk it if you want, but the journey is uphill. You may want to pay for the ride to the village and then walk back down. A few restaurants offer drinks and food. This makes a nice little afternoon outing for lunch.
7 See the sunset above the window
The window, a huge V-shaped cutout in the mountainside, offers a view into the sky and lets off the desert in the distance. From the Chisos Basin Visitors Center, a 3-mile trail leads to the Window View, a favorite spot to watch the sunset. You can take this short, wheelchair-accessible path at any time of the day to look out the window over the Chisos Basin, but at night the rocks form a silhouette against the colorful sky in the background.
8 Click on the hiking trails
Hikers will want to set aside some time for walking. Fit hikers looking for big adventures can plan multi-day hikes or embark on some of the epic day hikes, such as Emory Peak or the South Rim. Day hikers looking for more modest hikes will find extraordinary scenery on hikes like Santa Elena Canyon Trail, Lost Mine Trail, or the Windows Trails. If you want to add some history and maybe take a dip, try the Hot Springs trails. See our article on the best hikes in Big Bend National Park for more information and a fuller rundown of trail options.
9 Spend a night or two camping under the dark sky
Big Bend National Park is a designated National Dark Sky Park. Free from almost all light pollution, the night sky is a sea of diamonds, and the constellations are visible in excellent clarity. Camping at one of the Big Bend campgrounds gives you a front row seat to this nighttime spectacle, especially on a moonless night. Camping also gives you the chance to see some of the animals in the park. While javelinas and roadrunners are some of the usual visitors, you’ll have a good chance of seeing interesting birds if you camp at the Cottonwood Campground. Look for vermilion flycatchers during the day and listen for great horned owls at night.
10 Dine, trek, or pick up souvenirs and supplies in the Chisos Basin area
The Chisos Basin area, in the mountains not far from Panther Junction, offers a full range of facilities. Dine with a window view from the Chisos Mountain Lodge Restaurant and Patio, pick up everything from essentials to souvenir jewelry and clothing at the Basin Convenience store, or begin one of several hikes at the Chisos Basin Trailheads. From here you can hike the Emory Peak, South Rim, Chisos Basin Loop, Window View and Window Trail hills. This area is also home to the Chisos Mountain Lodge, and just below is the Chisos Basin Campground. Nearby is the trailhead for Lost Mine.
11 Canoe trips along the Rio Grande River
The Rio Grande winds its way along the border with Mexico, and at Santa Elena Canyon it has cut through the earth to create walls 5,000 feet high. Paddling through the canyon offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s geology and is an unforgettable experience. Trips start from the town of Lajitas and end at the mouth of the canyon. These tours usually last all day and include lunch. Trips can be arranged in Lajitas or Terlingua , on the west side of the park. If you have your own equipment, a “boomerang” trip may be in order. This includes paddling up through the canyon and descending down. Permits are required and are free.
12 Explore the nearby ghost town of Terlingua
Study Butte and Terlingua are just three to four miles from the west entrance to the park, and the Terlingua Ghost Town is six to seven miles away. To get a taste of what life is like in a very small town in this part of West Texas, a quick stop for lunch at the Terlingua Ghost Town is a fun activity, especially if you’re already on the west side of the park . The Terlingua Trading Company is one of the largest establishments in town, with a good selection of souvenirs, crafts, jewelry and other random items. Next door is the Starlight Theater Restaurant, which offers indoor dining and live music. Nearby is the Posada Milagro, a very good breakfast and early lunch stop with a nice patio.
13 Treat yourself to an evening at a nearby resort
Big Bend National Park offers a great outdoor experience, but exploring it can be an exhausting endeavor. Returning to a luxury resort or charming historic lodge can be a welcome respite at the end of the day. The quaint town of Marathon, north of the park, offers an authentic experience, with a few art galleries and the excellent Gage Hotel. This historic property is an oasis and a reason to visit this part of Texas. Built in 1927, the Gage Hotel is a wonderful place to gather around a fire pit with other guests in the evenings, relax in front of the fireplace in one of the cozy common areas, escape the heat around the pool or enjoy some of the best dining options in the region are at the hotel’s 12 Gage restaurant.
Alternatively, on the western side of the park is the Western-style Lajitas Golf Resort, featuring an 18-hole course designed by golfing great, Lanny Wadkins. This large resort offers a variety of activities from horseback riding to canoe trips. It’s also just a relaxing place to hang out around the pool or enjoy a tasty meal.
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