The 7 BEST HIKES in Big Bend National Park, Texas

The Window Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Big Bend National Park. The trail is a 5.6-mile round trip that takes you through a canyon and ends at a viewpoint overlooking a stunning natural arch. The trail is rated as moderate and is suitable for hikers of all skill levels. It’s all downhill for the first 1/2 of the hike but the climb out was not that bad The view was definitely worth it. The hike out had one of the best sunsets we’ve experienced. Beautiful. Trail was very well maintained and easy to follow Good amount of people on the trail to make it feel safe knowing there are bears and mountain lions nearby but not too many that it felt crowded. It was nice that it started near the visitor center parking lot (and there was a grocery store there for a post hike snack - we got sodies) There was a bathroom at trail head (which is always nice)

Santa Elena Canyon Trail The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a 1.7-mile round trip that takes you to the mouth of the Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande flows between towering cliffs. The trail is rated as easy and is suitable for hikers of all skill levels. The canyon walls rise over 1,500 feet above the river, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. Hike felt shorter than expected, but that could have been because the water levels were higher than expected so we could not go that far Outside of the first climb (once you crossed the river-bed) it was basically a leisurely stroll. Very cool experience to be on the USA/Mexico border Fairly crowded trail - was hard to photograph One of the farthest hikes from the entrance of Big Bend NP, if you were going to do it it was going to take up half your day. There was a bathroom at trail head (which is always nice)

Get to know this 1.2-mile loop trail near Terlingua, Texas. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 30 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. To get there you’ll need a vehicle that is small due to cliff drops (5-10 feet) on either side of the road - the van was too large to do it so we parked a few miles away and drove in with a friend in his Jeep Gladiator. Don’t even think about driving in with a trailer or an RV Parking lot was pretty full so there is definitely a risk that you could drive in and have no where to park Lots of interesting historical information along the hike The hot spring was very crowded but people were friendly. If you waited a moment, a spot would usually open up. The hike was flat and short, not really a hike and more of a walk along a dirt path If you are going to Boquillas del Carmen, it’s worth the stop because it’s on the way there/back but if you were on the other side of the park it’s not worth it Water was not “hot hot” at 105* but it was nice to jump in People were jumping into the river and swimming across to Mexico There was a bathroom at trail head (which is always nice)

This is a challenging and technical a roundtrip hike to the highest point in Big Bend National Park (7,832'). The last 25 feet require a scramble up a sheer rock wall, but your reward is the ultimate panoramic view! From the Basin Trailhead take the Pinnacles Trail for 3.5 miles. At this point, the one-mile trail to the summit cuts off and heads upward. For fantastic views and solitude, this trail is hard to beat! Watch out for loose rocks if you’ve got weak ankles. Hiking poles are an absolute must. Incline is comprised mostly of stairs and very rocky paths Views are stunning, especially the last 1.5 miles (after the junction where the toilet was). The mountain wall in Mexico was breathtaking and somewhat creepy as it looked fake There are two “summits” when you arrive at the end, the right one is much more difficult and without bouldering experience we would not recommend. Joey ended up doing the left summit (which is a little bit lower and did not have the view into Big Bend National Park but instead towards Mexico). It was still a scramble but less sketchy. If we had to go back to Big Bend, we would probably not do it again since it’s a fun day hike. We did it for the bragging rights. There was a bathroom at trail head (which is always nice)

The South Rim Trail is a challenging hike that rewards you with stunning views of the Chisos Mountains. The trail is a 12-mile round trip and is rated as strenuous, so it's recommended for experienced hikers. Along the way, you'll pass by stunning vistas, including the Chisos Basin, Boot Canyon, and the Rio Grande. The South Rim hike is one of the most strenuous in the park. You can take either the Laguna Meadows Trail or Pinnacles Trail to reach the South Rim. Laguna Meadows is more gentle, but both have switchbacks. Views of the Northern Mexico mountains can be seen from the rim. Boot Spring only has water some of the year, so make sure to bring plenty.

The Lost Mine trail serves as an outstanding introduction to the flora and fauna of the Chisos Mountains. Only one mile into the hike, there is a saddle offering great views of Casa Grande, Juniper Canyon, and the greater Chisos basin. The remainder of the trail climbs steeply from the parking lot going in and out of juniper, oak, and pine forests. The trail abruptly levels out at the ridge with superb views of Pine Canyon and the Sierra del Carmen in Mexico. At just under 5 miles round trip, this is surely one of the best day hikes in Big Bend. Be sure to bring water and snacks and arrive early as the parking fills up quickly here.

The Marufo Vega Trail The Marufo Vega Trail is a challenging 14.5-mile round trip that takes you through the rugged and remote backcountry of Big Bend National Park. The trail is rated as strenuous and is recommended for experienced hikers. Along the way, you'll pass through canyons, over mountains, and along the banks of the Rio Grande. This is a strenuous but spectacular day hike or overnight backpacking trip. There is no shade and no water on this trail and temperatures can exceed 110 degrees so please take necessary precautions. The trail is named after Gregorio Marufo, who grazed goats along the river. Hikers today use the cross country section to join two ends of the popular desert trail making it a 14-mile round-trip loop.