20 Exciting Things To Do In Big Bend National Park

1. Visit The Hot Springs

The hot springs in this national park in Texas are a perfect place where people can enjoy hot water swimming and natural scenery at the same time. Found at the banks of the Rio Grande, these warm, natural thermal springs are just perfect after a day of trekking.

It is well located scenically, with views of the river and the moving desert in the background. It is advisable to carry swimwear and a towel when visiting, and as much as possible, get to the place early enough to get a good view of the place blessed with natural beauty.

As you take a dip in the water or simply swim in the lake, the hot springs are a guarantee of a memorable and relaxing event.

2. Hike The Lost Mine Trail

The Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend Texas provides hikers with one of the most exciting treks they are likely to experience. This 4.8-mile round-trip trail passes through steep country up to a viewpoint.

The view from the summit includes the Chihuahuan Desert and several mountain ranges. It is suggested to begin early in the morning to allow for a break in mid morning when the sun is so hot.

Bring strong footwear and headgear to help avoid heat rays from the sun. The trail is somewhat intermediate, but the views of the panorama make the hard trek worth it. Take the challenge as it is, because the views are truly worth it.

3. Explore Santa Elena Canyon

One of the remarkable features of experiencing nature is Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park Texas. Surrounded by the Rio Grande’s waters, the deep, and steep walls offer a thrilling environment to venture into.

You can hike along the river, where the terrific view of the canyon is much closer. It is, however, a trail that is mildly challenging, so it may be accessed by most people who visit the park.

To get a deeper understanding of the area and its origins, it is recommended to go on a tour, which covers information about geographical and historical nature. Santa Elena Canyon is incredibly magnificent and one of the must-visits.

4. Drive The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is wonderful in the park found in Big Bend TX. It is approximately thirty miles long and paved, so it could be driven by any car. On the way, there are some attractive halts where you can have a short hiking trip and have wonderful looks at some impressive views.

Among them is Santa Elena Canyon, if you like cliffs, you will adore them, and Tuff Canyon with beautiful cold-blooded rocks. Failure to hike will still present you with a great opportunity to enjoy the desert view of Big Bend National Park while in a car. For anyone visiting the park, the ride is a must.

5. Camp Under The Stars

Camping in Big Bend National Park is a great adventure that will expose you to the beauty of the desert region. Because of its unlimited acreage and restricted light pollution, the park has been certified as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park and is one of the best sites to observe the night sky in the United States.

Photos can be picked up at the Big Bend campground. Some popular ones are Chisos Basin Campground and Rio Grande Village Campground, as they afford different views of the park. For a better experience, make use of stargazing applications to help you identify constellations and celestial events.

6. Learn From Fossil Discovery Exhibit

The Fossil Discovery Exhibit in Big Bend National Park recounts the prehistoric history of this area. This exhibit presents the fossils of prehistoric animals that provide significant information about the geological and ecological past of the park.

Such experiences include the representation of marine fossils of early aquatic life and mammals and depicting the initial settings or habitats. Fun and informative, the exhibit is highly recommended to anyone with a passing interest in paleontology or the geology of Big Bend.

Through the experiences afforded by the exhibits, one will be in a better position to understand the history that has unfolded in the realization of the park.

7. Go Birdwatching

Big Bend State Park gives you a chance to view over 450 different birds in their natural environment. Home to various terminologies of ecosystems, the park boasts sites like the Rio Grande Village or the Chisos Mountains Basin that offer bird enthusiasts a shot at the Colima Warbler or the Vermilion Flycatcher, to name but a few.

The best time to visit is during spring migration, from the last week of April to the first week of May, when most of the bird activities are recorded. In more recent times, emphasis has been placed on preserving them, so that the generation of the future can benefit from the diverse bird life in Big Bend.

8. Watch The Sunrise At The Window View Trail

Evaluating the Window View Trail at Big Bend National Park is mesmerizing, as visitors get the privilege to watch the sunrise. The first light of the day gives the Chisos Mountains a bright and vivid positive that creates the most stunning photographic scenery and self-contemplating tones.

This trail is easy to access and not very lengthy, giving hikers the chance to observe this phenomenon on a daily basis without really having to strain themselves. For a better view, you are advised to get there as early as possible so that you can also enjoy the tranquility of the hours before dawn.

9. Check Out Balanced Rock

Rising from the depths of far west Texas lies the enormous spectacle that is the Balanced Rock at Big Bend National Park. This structure, where a bunch of rocks are erect on a single basic column of rock, has taken millions of years of erosion and tectonic movement to shape such a beautiful masterpiece.

To get to Balanced Rock, one has to hike the Grapevine Hills Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip that provides a spectacular view of the desert. Before you get in, look at the fine equilibrium the large rock situates, and perhaps you might get to consider the law of gravity.

10. Hike To The South Rim

Another fantastic trail to embark on is the South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park, for every lover of nature. This rather difficult trail passes through the central part of the Chisos Mountains and, throughout its 12 miles, provides views of the desert area.

This trail takes you through a diverse landscape, including powerful stands of pines and sharply eroded cliffs. Another attraction of the trip is the chance to observe such animals as black bears, mountain lions, and birds that may be encountered along the trail.

The trail also overlooks several archeological sites, such as the site of a dilapidated mining camp.

11. Paddle The Rio Grande

Boating through the Rio Grande is a good chance to travel through the most picturesque territory in Texas. While enjoying the scenic views of the river, the tourists will get to see wonderful canyons and animals that inhabit the desert.

In the last few years, due to the changes in water levels, certain stretches have become a tad tough, due to which planning and knowledge about the terrain have become very crucial. Outfitters offer guided tours and trips and equipment for rent, hence making the recreation safe for people wishing to engage in the act.

12. Explore The Chisos Basin

Being one of the most popular sights in the heart of the Texas mountains, the Chisos Basin is located in Big Bend National Park. Located in the mountains, this area is a rare combination of desert and mountainous plant life, owing to cliffs rising from the desert.

Due to its relatively low temperatures, Chisos Basin is greatly appreciated by campers and hikers. There are a lot of maintained trails for easy access to places like the Window and Emory Peak.

With the planned upgrades of Chisos Mountain Lodge, it will be a more enriching visit, and the charm of this physical environment is secured to maintain everyone for the future.

13. Take A Scenic Drive Through The Old Maverick Road

A delightful drive that can be taken in Big Bend National Park is a drive on Old Maverick Road. This trip is an invitation to explore the real Texas desert. It is a 13-mile gravel road that passes through the stunning Santa Elena Canyon to Maverick Town, providing a view of dramatic scenery and various geological formations.

The road is fairly smooth, so one should not miss the chance to spot wildlife and plants along the way. The drive is ideal for those looking for a retreat to be one with nature and feel the calmness.

14. Camp or Picnic By The Rio Grande Village

Located along the Rio Grande, the Rio Grande Village Campground is an excellent chance to choose a place for your temporary home in Big Bend National Park. Visitors can easily view cattle belonging to Mexican ranchers moving in the area of the campground.

Recreational facilities and amusements in the campground include hiking, bird watching, and the Hot Springs Historic District. They also provide a good view of the mountains. For those guests who wish to have a meal, the Rio Grande Village picnic area is preferable.

15. Explore The Mule Ears Viewpoint

The Mule Ears Viewpoint is one of the most magnificent axes of the aesthetic value of the park. This magnificent structure, appropriately called Twin Peaks because of its twin hill formation, gives visitors a brief understanding of the geological formation of the area.

It is possible to appreciate the difference in the appearance of the rocks—the steep and jagged edges of the Mule Ears against the backdrop of the relatively flat and arid desert.

The viewpoint can be reached from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, making the viewpoint easily accessible to anyone in the park. Investigations have exposed that the Mule Ears are volcanic plugs that were left over from some epoch.

16. Climb The Emory Peak Trail

The Emory Peak Trail is one of the most entertaining, though rather demanding, trails that guides visitors to the highest point of the park, at 7,832. This 10.4-mile round-trip tackles a formerly redoubtable gradient up a variety of terrains to finish with a rock face those last 25 feet.

To the hikers delight, there is a panoramic view that covers the Chisos Mountains and the large desert area below them. Some tips for hiking include: starting early in the morning or in the evening so that one avoids extreme heat; and ensuring that one has carried enough water.

Thus, being a popular trail, it draws travellers and is a must-go destination for everyone looking for an adventurous trip to scenic landscapes.

17. Visit The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail

The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail is the perfect location to reach out for that close encounter with nature in one of the biggest deserts in North America. This accessible 0.5-mile loop trail provides information panels that give details on plants and animals predominant in the country.

Later years have witnessed efforts being made to safeguard the sensitive biophysical environments of trails, in which conservation and management aim to teach people the value of such preserves.

Environmental education makes it possible for the visitor to see various aspects of environmental education, such as the Cholla cacti that live inside the desert.

18. Go Horseback Riding

Riding a horse while in Big Bend National Park is perhaps one of the most exceptional ways through which one can view the natural scenery of the park as well as the wildlife. There is no provision of horse rental services inside the park, but visitors can use their own horses if they have any.

Off-road is allowed on dirt roads and trails, while Chisos Mountain offers other routes such as the Laguna meadow and south rim trails. Preparation is essential. A backcountry use permit is essential, and the horses to be used must have the state-required vaccination.

This kind of experience allows the riders to establish close contact with nature.

19. See Unique Desert Plants At Dagger Flat Auto Trail

The auto trail to Dagger Flat in the Big Bend National Park presents arguably the most diverse range of flora in the desert region, especially the Giant Dagger Yuccas.

This auto tour is a seven-mile self-guided route that enables visitors to understand how these hardy plants survive in Chihuahuan Desert conditions. Recent research shows that these plants can be used in water-wise landscaping, and the use of the plant’s water retention measures can inform new methods of gardening in arid conditions.

For instance, the desert plant ocotillo survives by shedding leaves during dry periods to conserve water.

20. Explore Boquillas Canyon

Boquillas Canyon is marvelously known for the steep limestone cliffs that rise more than 1500 feet. Formed with the Rio Grande carving through the area, one is presented with adventure and serenity together.

Tourists taking a two- to four-day river trip barge through the II-class rapids and take meals on the peaceful shores. Some features include traces of candelilla wax mining facilities, which have been in existence since earlier centuries.

That is why, with the popularity of eco-tourism, such places as Boquillas Canyon could attract many extreme lovers and those who want to get closer to nature.