One Day at Big Bend

Named for the dramatic Rio Grand River that carves its path through Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend National Park is unlike any park in the country. Big Bend encompasses the entire Chisos mountain range, multiple rivers, and hundreds of canyons. It’s also home to thousands of plants, animals, and birds found nowhere else on Earth.

This remote park is 1200 square miles of rugged terrain waiting to be explored. So, hit the trail with us as we spend a day discovering Big Bend!

Entry and Parking

You can enter the park at one of two entrances (Persimmon Gap and Maverick Junction) 24 hours a day, year-round. Entry is $15 per vehicle and can only be paid by credit card. Since Big Bend sits along an international border, Border Patrol is often present and may ask you a couple of questions upon entry.

Big Bend is particularly popular from November through April. If you’re going during this peak time, we recommend arriving early to park at the trailheads before the lots fill up by midday.

Morning Hike Up Lost Mine Trail

Big Bend has been called a geologist’s paradise, and one of the best ways to experience this unparalleled landscape is on the Lost Mine Trail. This moderately difficult out-and-back trail has a 1,000-foot elevation gain and takes most people around three hours to complete.

Hiking Lost Mine Trail is a great way to start your day because the temperatures are cooler, and you’ll have plenty of daylight for your ascent and descent on the switchbacks. Once you reach the top, you’ll have unmatched views of the Chisos Valley and Basin.

When you go, pack plenty of water and dress in layers. Between the unpredictable landscape and steep elevation gain, you may experience changing weather conditions while hiking.

We also recommend arriving early (7 a.m. or earlier) to find a parking spot in the small trailhead or the Chisos Basin Visitors Center parking lot, which is a mile and a half away.

Take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

After a morning hike, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a great way to rest while maximizing your time at this huge national park. This 30-mile paved road winds toward the Rio Grande and ends at the Santa Elena Canyon. Along the way, there are dozens of opportunities to stop at an overlook, hike, picnic, and snap photos.

Once you reach Santa Elena Canyon, we recommend the short 1.6-mile roundtrip hike through the canyon and across Terlingua Creek. The sandstone rock formations are beautiful, and the canyon temps are cool and relaxing at midday.

Stargaze on a Moonlit Walk

Big Bend has the least light pollution of any national park in North America. Stargazing in this remote and desolate place is nothing short of breathtaking.

Throughout the year, there are free Ranger-led moonlight walks and stargazing programs. You can find their full night sky program schedule here.

If your trip doesn’t line up with one of the Ranger-led programs, you can stargaze from anywhere in the park. As a national dark sky park, Big Bend has amazing stargazing year-round. Visitors are encouraged to safely get off the beaten path, set up chairs and blankets, and enjoy an incredible night under the stars!

You could explore Big Bend for a week and still have corners to discover. But even if you have one day in Texas’ vast Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend will leave you in awe of America’s rugged places and looking for a way to return!