Exploring the Best of Big Bend: A Five Day Itinerary
- Shoshana Weed
- Mar 28
- 13 min read
I was fortunate enough to get invited to go on a girls trip to Big Bend National Park. Honestly, I had never even heard of Big Bend before, but once I got the invite, I started researching it, and it got me so excited for this trip. I can honestly say that Big Bend surprised me in the best way, and I loved every second of this trip! So let's dig into exploring the best of Big Bend in 5 days!
Let's start with where Big Bend National Park is. It is located in the heart of West Texas and offers a stunning blend of desert landscapes, rocky mountains, and the serene Rio Grande. There are ample opportunities for hiking, camping, biking, rafting, and wildlife viewing. Big Bend is also known as one of the best places in North America for stargazing, thanks to having the least light pollution of any other national park in the lower 48. So don't forget your binoculars if you have some! Stargazing each night around a campfire was one of my favorite memories of this trip!
Big Bend National Park is remote, meaning the closest major airport is in El Paso, TX, which is about a 4-5 hour drive from the park, so you will definitely need a car. We will delve into how to get here below. We started our road trip in Austin, TX, and it was about a 8-hour drive.
First let's delve into the best hiking trails in Big Bend National Park.
Top Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park
1. Lost Mine Trail
This was my absolute favorite hike that we did so if there's one hike you do I recommend this one! The Lost Mine Trail, stretching 4.8 miles round trip, is a must-visit for anyone exploring Big Bend. This moderately challenging trail gains about 1,100 feet in elevation, leading to breathtaking views of the Chisos Mountains and surrounding desert. Starting at the Lost Mine Trailhead, the path winds through picturesque pine and oak forests.
If you're visiting during the warmer months when temperatures can soar I recommend an early start to this hike as there's not a lot of shade along the way. An early start can also reward you with stunning morning light illuminating the landscape. In peak seasons, like spring, you might encounter wildflowers such as ocotillo and bluebonnets lining the path.
2. Window Trail
This was a really fun trail and we all loved the view at the end! At 5.6 miles round trip, this relatively easy trail concludes at a picturesque window in the mountains that frames an expansive view of the desert below. This stunning viewpoint is especially captivating at sunset, with warm light saturating the rocks.
The trailhead is conveniently located at the Chisos Basin, and along the route, you can observe unique desert plants, including prickly pear and juniper trees. The trail’s gentle descent makes it a great option for hikers of all ages. Bring your camera to capture the vivid colors of the desert during golden hour.
3. Santa Elena Canyon Trail
If you're looking for a relaxed hike with spectacular scenery, the Santa Elena Canyon is a perfect fit for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This picturesque 1.6-mile round trip trail takes you along the stunning banks of the beautiful Rio Grande, where you can immerse yourself in the serene environment that surrounds you. As you walk along the trail, you will be treated to views of breathtaking canyon walls that rise dramatically on either side, showcasing the impressive geological formations that have been sculpted over millions of years. The towering cliffs, with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, create a striking backdrop that enhances the overall experience of the hike.
4. South Rim Trail
If you're seeking a longer and challenging hike, the South Rim Trail is ideal for you. Round trip is approximately 12.2 miles, though the exact distance varies based on your starting point. You can access this trail via either the Laguna Meadows Trail or the Pinnacles Trail.
It is advisable to prepare adequately for this hike, as the length and varying terrain can be demanding. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and appropriate gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Whether you choose to embark on this hike in the early morning to catch the sunrise or in the late afternoon for a serene sunset experience, the South Rim Trail promises to be a memorable adventure that showcases the stunning wilderness and the unique charm of the region.
Trail Difficulty Levels and Recommended Gear
Understanding trail difficulty is vital for a safe and enjoyable hiking experience in Big Bend. Here's a brief overview to help you choose the right trail for your skills:
Easy Trails: Great for beginners, these trails include minimal elevation gain and flatter terrain. Boquillas Canyon Trail and Window Trail are excellent examples.
Moderate Trails: Designed for hikers with some experience, moderate trails like Lost Mine involve more elevation and rougher paths.
Difficult Trails: Reserved for seasoned hikers, these trails, such as the Santiago Peak Trail, demand significant elevation gain and extra physical effort.
Recommended Gear
Choosing the right gear enhances your experience. Here’s what to pack:
Footwear: Invest in sturdy hiking boots or shoes that provide good traction.
Clothing: Wear layers with moisture-wicking fabrics to adapt to temperature changes.
Hydration: Carry enough water, especially for longer hikes. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least half a liter per hour.
Navigation Tools: A detailed park map, compass, or GPS device can help you stay on course.
Safety Essentials: Sunscreen, a hat, a first aid kit, and hiking poles can enhance your adventure and ensure your safety.
Tips for Maximizing Your Hiking Experience in Big Bend
Plan Ahead: Always check trail conditions and weather forecasts. Trails may close after heavy rains.
Start Early: Take advantage of cooler morning temperatures and enjoy sunrise views.
Wildlife Awareness: Keep a safe distance from wildlife and respect their habitats.
Take Breaks: Pause to enjoy the scenery and stay hydrated throughout your hike.
Leave No Trace: Practice responsible hiking by packing out trash and minimizing your footprint.
Consult with Rangers: Stop by the visitor center to gather information on trail conditions and local flora and fauna.
How to get Big Bend National Park?
This is a big one since I do consider this park remote, and you will need a car to get to it. The closest major airport is in El Paso, Texas, which is about a 5-hour drive from the park. The next closest major airport is in Austin, Texas, and that's about an 8-hour drive to the park. We started our road trip in Austin because one of our friends from Waco met us there, and we got to spend some time in Austin too, exploring the city, which is also a great option if you have the time.
When is the best time to visit Big Bend National Park?
The ideal time to visit Big Bend National Park is during the shoulder seasons of spring (March-April) and fall (October-November) when the temperatures are mild. Summer tends to be very hot, and winter can be cold, so spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather for hiking and enjoying the water.
How much time do you need at the Park?
Because Big Bend is remote and will take some time to get to, I recommend 5 days: two for driving and three full days to enjoy the park. We left on a Tuesday and made the trip back to Austin the following Saturday. So, just like above, we had two days for driving and three full days to enjoy the park, and it was just the right amount of time in my opinion. You could absolutely spend more time here as the park is huge and there are lots of hikes to explore. For example, if you wanted to do the South Rim trail, that typically takes up most of the day.
Where to stay at the Park?
As shocked as you might be, considering this park is pretty remote, there are quite a few options for places to stay. However, most of them are not in the park; they are in the small town of Terlingua, which is just outside of the park. Depending on where you end up, you could be about an hour from the park. The only lodging in Big Bend National Park is at the "Chisos Mountain Lodge," so I recommend reserving very early if you are planning on staying here. We stayed at an Airbnb in Terlingua that was only about 15 minutes from the entrance to the park.
There are several Airbnb options, as well as lots of neat A-frame cabins, glamping options, and even luxury caves to stay in. There is also a golf resort. Another option, and one that I personally would like to try next time, is to rent a camper van and camp inside the park. I recommend stocking up on most of your groceries in El Paso or Alpine, which is a town two hours from Big Bend and has a large grocery store. There is a small grocery store in Terlingua also, but I would utilize that for small items only. I recommend preparing most, if not all, of your meals at camp if you choose this option.
While there are a few restaurants in Terlingua, there aren't many, so preparing your own food will probably be your best bet! And of course, there's always the option to tent camp in the park. Let's get into camping in the park!
There are four campgrounds located inside the park and out of the four, three require RESERVATIONS. So make sure you check the National Park Service website for full details on how and when to reserve a campsite.
Chisos Basin Campground
Rio Grande Village Campground
Cottonwood Campground
Rio Grande Village RV Park.
Okay, now that we've delved into some great hikes, how to be prepared, how to get here and where to stay, let's get into the ultimate 5-day itinerary!
Day 1: Stock up on groceries from wherever you start your journey since they will probably be cheaper and you will have more of a selection than in Terlingua. Grab all the best road trip snacks and set off for Big Bend National Park.
Depending on what time you start your road trip it will likely be afternoon-evening when you arrive. Set up camp and then if you're up for it take a short walk on the "Rio Grande Village Nature Trail" to watch the sunset. It's 3/4 miles RT and is rated as easy. This is an especially good idea if you are staying at the Rio Grande campground as the trail begins at camp.
If you're up for a longer hike the "Window trail" would be exceptional at sunset.
After your sunset hike, immerse yourself in the full camping adventure and make dinner at camp and then, if allowed, prepare a fire and spend the rest of the evening stargazing.
Day 2: Now it's time to for the real adventure! Today begins the real fun of exploring Big Bend! Depending on what time of year you are visiting you will likely want to begin you're adventure early to avoid peak sun times. Because this park is so vast a lot of the hikes can be spread out pretty far which means it can be a bit of a trek to get to different hikes.
Today we're hiking The Lost Mine Trail and canoeing the Rio Grande.
Begin your adventure after breakfast and set foot on the Lost Mine Trail. It should take about 2 1/2-3 hrs to complete.
After the hike eat lunch and then it's time to rest your legs and head out of Big Bend National Park for your fun afternoon adventure paddling through the Rio Grande in Big Bend Ranch State Park. There are two options for this paddle. You could use a tour company where they provide transportation and canoes for the adventure or you could rent or bring everything yourself and go out on your own; however you will need a permit to access the river on your own. Read more here.
If you're going with a tour company note that most 1/2 day floats start around 1 pm and are about 4 hours long. It should take about 2-3 hrs to float the river. The rest of the time is drive time to your location. Note that 1/2 day trips are only a small section of the Rio Grande River.
We chose to go with Far Flung Outdoor Center for our half-day canoe trip. This was such a fun experience, and I especially loved the views on this trip. However, the water level was pretty low when we went, so we had to get out and push our canoe several times. Just be aware of that if you venture on your own and are also going when the water levels are low.
Okay, after the hike in the morning and the canoe trip in the afternoon you're pobably going to be tired. It's time to head back to camp or wherever you're staying and prepare some dinner and settle in for the night.
Day 3: Hot Springs, Window Trail and the Chisos Basin Trail
Today is day 3 and we are starting with an early morning soak in the Hot Springs, and then Hiking The "Window Trail" and ending with a short but sweet trail the "Chisos Basin Trail".
Again, you will want to start your adventure early, but especially with the hot springs. The area that is "hot" is actually pretty small. Note that the "drive" to the hot springs is bumpy, but we made it through in a "regular" vehicle just fine. It's far from the entrance to the park, so that's why we started with it, so that we could hit up the trails on our way back and spend less time driving.
Honestly, this was one of my favorite memories! Starting the morning with a hot springs soak as the sun is shining is just exceptional. It's a short "walk" to the hot springs. I believe it's called a "trail hike" but I would qualify it as a very short walk once you get to the parking lot. The morning started out very chilly, but the sun was shining, and I was shivering as we began our walk; however, after our soak in the springs, the sun pushed its way through, and the cold melted away! I felt revived walking back to the car, and my skin felt oh so soft! It was the perfect start to the day in my opinion, and because we went early, there were very few people at the springs with us.
After your rejuvenating soak in the Springs it's time to head to the Window Trail which is conveniantly located near the Chisos Basin visitors center and conveniance store. Stop by the visitors center to check trail conditions and other trails that you might want to explore.
Then it's time to Hike the Window trail not to be confused with the Window View Trail which is a much shorter 0.3 mile loop trail that's great for sunset views. The window trail should take about 2 - 3 hrs to complete.
After the Window Trail hike, start from the Chisos Basin and hike Chisos Basin Trail which is a fun short 2 mile loop with outstanding vistas of the window, and mountains surrounding the basin. Following the trail counter clock wise will make it easier.
After that, you will likely be tired but if not venture on to some other hikes in the chisos basin or head back to camp and make dinner and get some rest for tomorrow.
Day 4: Grapevine Hill trail & Saint Elena Canyon OR South Rim trail + Emory Peak trail.
Okay, today is your final day to explore Big Bend, so you have two options. You can either take it easy and explore Santa Elena Canyon and the Grapevine Trail, or go all out and hike the South Rim Trail. If you're feeling really adventurous, you can add on the Emory Peak Trail from South Rim.
I wouldn't miss the Santa Elena Canyon. It's a very short trek, and we all agreed that it was one of our favorite viewpoints. If you don't do it today, you could add it to any of the other days. It's very doable in a short amount of time.
If you choose to do Grapevine Hills Trail and Santa Elena Canyon, then I would start with Grapevine Trail because it's longer and then add on the Canyon Trail.
The Grapevine Hills Trail is also called "Balanced Rock" trail because, as you may have guessed, the trail ends at a balanced rock formation. We didn't do this hike, but I would love to come back and do it. It's 2.2 miles round trip and relatively flat along the trail. It should take about 1-2 hours to complete.
Note that if you do this trail, make sure your vehicle can tolerate it. It's noted that the road to the trail is very rough and requires a high-clearance vehicle.
After the Grapevine Trail, you will head to Santa Elena Canyon, and you will be driving on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on your way to Santa Elena Canyon. Like I mentioned before, you don't want to miss Santa Elena Canyon.
If you choose to do the South Rim trail instead, then you will want to start your day early. The trail starts and ends near the Chisos Basin Visitors center. Make sure you pack lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Depending on your skill level, it could take about 6-7 hours to complete. If you add on Emory Peak, it makes the trail 14.5 miles vs.12.5, so it will likely take around 8 hours to complete.
After that it's time to head back to camp for one last dinner, fire and star gazing before it's time to head home.
Day 5: Final day. It's time to make the drive back to the aiport or back home. Depending on where you adventure began!
If you're heading back to Austin like we were I recommend breaking up the long drive stopping in Fredericksburg and doing some wine tasting. Fredericksburg is a small town known as Texas Wine Country and there are lots of vineyards to stop at and do some wine tasing. We stopped at two and it really did make our journey back a lot more fun!
Your Next Adventure Awaits
Big Bend National Park is a paradise for hikers, featuring a variety of trails that highlight Texas's breathtaking scenery. Whether you're taking in the incredible vistas from Santiago Peak or wandering the serene paths of Boquillas Canyon, this park beckons you to discover its natural marvels. So put on your boots and prepare for an unforgettable journey!
Favorite Hike's
Lost Mine Trail
Santa Elena Canyon
Window View Trail
Other things to do
Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Canoe the Rio Grande
Historic hot Springs trail
Explore Ghost Town in Terlingua
Star gaze at night
Places to stay
Summit Big Bend for luxury caves, stargazing and sleeping in domes.
Chisos Mountain Lodge if you want to stay in the park and don't want to camp.
The Gage Hotel for a more upscale stay. Just know that it is about an hour from the entrance to Big Bend National Park.
Willow House for a stunning desert retreat located 6 miles from the park.
As always Airbnb is a great option too. There are several options in Terlingua, the town right outside the park to stay. We stayed at an Airbnb and it worked out great for us.
My favorite hiking shoes
I've had these shoes for almost a year now and I love them. From the moment I put them on they fit my feet perfectly. I didn't have to break them in much at all. I used them to hike all over Zion, Arches, and Bryce Canyon National park and they never failed me. And of course, I took them on this trip to Big Bend.
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