Hiking in Big Bend: Best Hikes in Big Bend National Park
Hiking in Big Bend: Best Hikes in Big Bend National Park
Hiking at Big Bend National Park: Trails, Distances, and Tips
Big Bend holds more than 150 miles of trails, and they run the full range: quarter-mile paved loops, half-day desert walks, and mountain climbs that take a solid day. Picking the right one matters more here than in most parks, mostly because the drives between trailheads are long.
Here's our rundown of the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, with distances and difficulty ratings straight from the National Park Service, plus what you should know before you head out.
What to Know Before Your First Big Bend Hike
A few park rules and realities catch first-timers off guard. Worth knowing before you go.
- No permit is required for a standard day hike. Every vehicle entering the park does need an entrance pass, sold at entrance stations and visitor centers. The park does not take cash; cards only.
- Hiking groups over 30 people and backpacking groups over 15 need a Special Use Permit from the park.
- Pets are not allowed on any trail in Big Bend National Park. This one surprises a lot of guests.
- Carry plenty of water. There is no water on most trails, and cell service across the park is patchy at best.
- Trail and road conditions shift after storms. Check the park's alerts page the morning you go.
Big Bend National Park's Maverick Junction entrance is only a 15- 20-minute drive from The Summit at Big Bend
Guided Hikes and Tours in Big Bend
Big Bend's trails are walkable on your own, though a local guide will tell you things no trail sign will. Two operators work the Terlingua area, and both run their own trips independently of The Summit at Big Bend.
Best Hikes in the Chisos Basin and Chisos Mountains
The Chisos Basin sits high enough that the whole feel of the park shifts. Pine, oak, and juniper instead of creosote and cactus. Most of the park's signature hikes start from the Chisos Basin Trailhead, and parking there fills early on busy weekends.
Desert Hikes Along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Down off the mountain, the Chihuahuan Desert covers roughly 80 percent of the park. These trails run shorter and flatter, though shade is scarce and you will want extra water in the pack.
Mule Ears Spring Trail
- Distance: 3.8 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
A rocky desert walk from the Mule Ears Overlook parking area at mile 15 on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The trail skirts Trap Mountain, crosses several arroyos, and ends near an old rock corral by the spring, with the Mule Ears rock formation in view along the way. One of the quieter trails in the park.
Chimneys Trail
- Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
A flat desert hike out to a line of volcanic dike formations, starting at mile 13 on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The chimneys sit 2.4 miles out, and you can see them from the trailhead the whole way. Rock art marks the base of the formations. Rated moderate because of distance, not terrain.
Grapevine Hills Trail (Balanced Rock)
- Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
The trail to Big Bend's famous Balanced Rock. It follows a gravel wash, then climbs steeply through boulders for the last quarter mile over rough bedrock. Watch for the directional arrows and take your time on the way back down.
One important note: the trailhead sits 6 miles down the Grapevine Hills dirt road, which requires a sturdy high-clearance vehicle. The National Park Service advises against attempting it in a passenger car, minivan, or RV.
Sotol Vista Overlook
- Distance: Not a hike (drive-up overlook)
- Difficulty: Easy (drive-up)
One of the most stunning roadside viewpoints in Big Bend, Sotol Vista offers panoramic views of the Chihuahuan Desert. This spot is breathtaking at sunrise or sunset, when the colors of the desert come alive. A perfect stop for those wanting a quick, awe-inspiring view without a hike.
River Hikes Along the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande carves the southern edge of the park, and the trails down there feel completely different from the Chisos. Cottonwoods, birdlife, canyon walls. Several are short enough to pair two or three in a morning.
Hiking at Big Bend Ranch State Park
Plenty of visitors never realize there is a second Big Bend park next door. Big Bend Ranch State Park has 238 miles of multiuse trails, and it sits on the other side of The Summit at Big Bend from the national park.
Closed Canyon Trail is the easiest place to start. It is roughly 1.4 miles round trip, running into a narrow slot canyon off FM 170 between the Barton Warnock Visitor Center and Fort Leaton State Historic Site. There are a few rock drops to scramble down. It is also one of only two pet-accessible trails in the state park, with leashes limited to six feet.
The drive there along FM 170 is worth the trip on its own. A separate state park entrance fee applies, and Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends reserving passes ahead of your visit.
Where to Stay When You Are Hiking in Big Bend
Lodging inside the park is limited and books out far ahead, which is why a lot of hikers base themselves just outside it. The Summit at Big Bend sits about 18 miles from the park entrance on 1,000 private acres, close enough that you can reach most western trailheads before the parking lots fill.
We offer luxury caves built into old mining tunnels, stargazing domes with overhead viewing portals, Stargazer Deluxe Suites, and casitas for larger groups. Every stay comes with AC and heat, WiFi, and an outdoor fire pit, which is exactly what you want after a day on the Window Trail. The property also has miles of private trails and one of the highest viewpoints in the area, so you can get a walk in without driving anywhere at all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Big Bend
Start with the Window View Trail, a paved 0.3-mile loop near the Chisos Basin Trailhead. The Rio Grande Village Nature Trail and the Hot Springs Historic Trail are both short and easy too. Each one gives you big views without a long climb.
No permit is needed for a regular day hike. Every vehicle does need a park entrance pass, sold at entrance stations and visitor centers by card only. Hiking groups over 30 people and backpacking groups over 15 require a Special Use Permit from the park.
Early morning is the local favorite. Trailhead parking is easiest right after sunrise, wildlife is more active, and the light on the Chisos Mountains is at its best. Late afternoon works well too, especially at the Window and Sotol Vista for sunset.
No. Pets are not allowed on any trail in Big Bend National Park. They can stay in your vehicle, in campgrounds, and on paved roads. If you want a trail you can walk with a leashed dog, Closed Canyon at Big Bend Ranch State Park allows pets.
The Summit at Big Bend sits about 18 miles from the park entrance, which puts most western trailheads within an easy morning drive. That distance matters when you want to reach the Chisos Basin or Santa Elena Canyon before the parking areas fill up.
Lodging inside the park is limited, so many hikers base themselves nearby in the Terlingua area. The Summit at Big Bend has luxury caves, stargazing domes, and casitas on 1,000 private acres, with AC, heat, WiFi, and fire pits waiting after a long day on trail.
Yes. The property has miles of private trails across 1,000 acres, including one of the highest viewpoints in the area. Guests can walk straight out from their dome or cave without driving anywhere, which is handy on arrival day or before an early park start.
Carry plenty of water, more than you think you need, plus salty snacks, sturdy closed shoes, sun protection, and a paper map. Cell service is patchy across the park. Tell someone your route, and check current conditions with the National Park Service before you set out.
