Top Things to do in Big Bend National Park
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Things to do in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend National Park: The Best Hiking Trails
Huge national park in Texas that spans 801,153-acres filled with limestone canyons, rivers, sand and forests.
1. Lost Mine Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 322 reviews
Five-miles round-trip, this trail is fairly easy compared with many other hikes in the park.
Reviewed By RhondaA646 - South Portland, United States
We enjoyed every trail we did in Big Bend but this almost 5 mile hike up and back was our favorite. The views are simply spectacular. If I can recommend anything is to get there early. Parking is limited at the trailhead. Also in October, though chilly at 8:00am, you warm up quickly so you will be happy to hike up in the shade. The hike up is primarily switchbacks (which makes it an easier downhill as well) so doable for me at 60. There was not a moment in this hike without great views. Make sure you keep walking across the rocks to get to the very top with amazing vistas. This is a must do in the Park.
2. Mesa De Anguila
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. The South Rim Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
This trail gives a great hike with amazing views.
Reviewed By darwinmoore - Spring, United States
You simply can't do better than this. We took Pinnacles up, then Boot Canyon to the South Rim Trail, then Laguna Meadows home. I had read somewhere that you could do the South Rim in just under 9 miles, but I don't see how -- even if you just go out to the edge, look out and return. Our trip was around 14.5 miles, with a fair amount of meandering around the rim when we got there, and about 2500 feet of elevation gain. The bulk of elevation gain is up front on the way up the Pinnacles Trail, although you gain some more on the final approach to the South Rim from Boot Canyon (which itself is also unexpectedly lush and gorgeous). The views at the rim are fabulous, Grand-Canyon-esque type vista views. You earn this one, and you'll be proud you did.
4. Mesa de Anguila
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By jozseft413 - San Antonio, United States
To give you a teaser, we ended up taking a route that I have not read anyone taken before and we were rewarded with an absolute thrilling 360 view from the top of the Mesa. Here is how it went down... There are many valuable posts about this hike on TripAdvisor and AllTrails, plenty of info about the different options, but none described what we were about to see. We stayed at the El Dorado Hotel in Terlingua Ghost Town, so it was an easy drive in the morning to the trailhead on the outskirts of Lajitas. However, none of the descriptions pointed out the exact location of the parking lot, so of course we missed on our first attempt. We had a local resident help us find it, but we didn't expect an empty lot capable of holding 500+ cars. You can see on these pictures where exactly the parking area is. Or you can use the long/lat figures: 29.258740, -103.767108 There were two posted signs under the little hut in the middle of the parking lot, but the trailhead sign was to the far side of the lot, it was not easy to notice. Once we found it we had no more problems. The cairns were well placed, we dropped into the dry creek bed and it was easy to find the official trail had 5 min into our walk on our left. The first 20 min was through a flat area to reach the uphill part of the track. From the bottom, the climb was as difficult as rewarding and scenic all the way to the top. Beware, there is absolutely no shade here, the vegetation is low, there are no trees to hide under. The most thrilling part came when the track reached the top of the mesa, there were at least 3-4 different ways to continue. We chose to cut 90 degree to the right and begin our U turn on top of the mesa. The views into Santa Elena Canyon were breathtaking. Although, there were a few cairns initially, they only led the way maybe 2-300 yard, from there the navigation was simply following the edge of the mesa. The terrain was mainly flat on top of the mesa, we were stepping from one big rock to another, but not much elevation gain. Vegetation was not a problem at all, it was easy to navigate through it and proceed to the far edge, facing Lajitas. Here are couple of pointers to help with logistics: - the trip was about 3 miles round trip (1.4+ miles one way) - it took us 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete it, including about 40 minutes of stopping for food, water and picture taking - we took 2L/person of water in the 100 F heat and it was perfect amount for the trip. The temp measured 103F when I got back to the car at after 2 PM - on top of the mesa the breeze was non stop and it made it much more pleasant - on the mountain top, to our surprise, we had 4 out of 5 bar cell reception, so we were able to live video conference with relatives on the other side of the globe to share our experience. I have taken several 360 shots I uploaded to google map, I would recommend checking them out, they give a great understanding of what awaits you. We have hiked several different Big Bend trails before, but this has become our absolute favorite. The zig-zagging Rio Grande, the view of the golf course and the surrounding mountains were an absolute treat, nothing we have expected. I highly recommend this 3-4 hour excursion.
5. Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
A walking trail along the Rio Grande River.
Reviewed By MindyandRogerA - Janesville, United States
Excellent Short Hike, after about 0.2 miles, either go left to the top or go to the right which will take you to the Rio Grande River. Approximately 0.5 miles on either route. The hike to the top has an excellent 360 degree view including the Rio Grande River & Mexico. The trail starts at Campsite 18. From there you will first walk over wetlands on an elevated walkway. Next, you will have a view of a shallow pond. We were there toward evening where Herons, Ducks and Nutria (Look like Beavers, but are native to South America) were seen. After this, the rest of the hike is desert. This is a really nice, interesting, mostly easy, short hike. We really enjoyed the variety of things to see. Recommended!
6. The Window Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
From the road, this spot offers a spectacular view into the canyon below.
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
Our group started the Window Trail around 8:30 am, departing from the Chisos Basin Trailhead near the Lodge. It is a gentle downhill grade all the way through the Chisos Basin. Bring your sticks if you normally hike with them. The trail gets rockier and more interesting as you move into the upper portion of the Oak Creek Canyon with its colorful rock formations. As you approach The Window, there is some scrambling as well as a series of smooth stone steps. The creek bed was dry, however. The payoff: the up-close Window view! Just don’t get too close to the edge because the pour-off is slick rocks and there are no railings. The Window was one of my favorite Big Bend hikes. Instead of returning to the Lodge, we took the Oak Spring Trail down and then continued to the Cattail Falls and finally hiked out to Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive where our van was parked. I doubt I could have hiked uphill all the way back to the Lodge without having a heatstroke! Take into consideration the afternoon heat and sun when planning your hikes and bring adequate water. There is little shade in the desert.
7. Pine Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By W6612TMadamb
Sure the road there can be rough in the washes... That's why they warn you. A friend made it in a Ford Focus. Maybe it's user error... Wonderful campsites with wonderful views. Hike gets steep at the end. Bring plenty of water.
8. Persimmon Gap Trail
9. Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By weisbrew1 - Cave City, United States
If you can only hike one trail in Big Bend, then I vote for this one. The pour off is a beautiful dry waterfall (unless you are there in the rain). Be sure to take the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff trail - not the upper. The two do not connect and the view is better from the bottom. The lower was not marked on some of the park maps but is beyond and at lower elevation than the upper. The hike is easy.
10. Cattail Falls Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
We reached the trailhead to the Cattail Falls Trail by hiking down the Window and Oak Spring Trails from the Chisos Basin Trailhead located near the Chisos Mountains Lodge. (alternatively, you could hike in via the access road from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive). The horizontal trunk of an aged oak tree marks the start of the trail. The falls were barely a trickle, but it amazing to see this beautiful oasis in the desert. Lush vegetation is complete with ferns, palms, flowering plants, and lots of shade - quite a contrast from the desert environment and unlike any other that we saw in Big Bend. Be careful what you touch because there is poison oak too. The final approach to the falls requires some scrambling over large boulders and small pools of water that require stone-stepping. The stones can be slippery when wet. Take extra care else you might end up with wet shoes (like me). This is not a high-trafficked trail which adds to the peace and quiet. Our group enjoyed lunch and a nice rest here. Bring plenty of water as the desert and access road hike can be grueling in the midday sun. If you are headed to the Chisos Basin – be prepared for a long climb up.
