“A stunning solitary mountain range”
There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. Here, at the end of the road, hundreds of bird species take refuge in a solitary mountain range surrounded by weather-beaten desert. Tenacious cactus bloom in sublime southwestern sun, and diversity of species is the best in the country. This magical place is Big Bend. While Big Bend is famous for its natural resources and recreational opportunities, the park is also rich in cultural history. Native peoples lived in and/or passed through this area for thousands of years. Their presence is evidenced by pictographs and archeological sites. In more recent history (the last 500 years) Texas has been claimed by six different nations!The Big Bend has been a home to people for many centuries, but knowledge of the Rio Grande among non-Indians dates back less than 150 years. Spanish people crossed the Rio Grande in the 16th and 17th centuries searching for gold, silver, and fertile land. Comanche Indians crossed the river in the 19th century, traveling to and from Mexico with their raiding parties.Mexican settlers began farming on both banks of the river’s floodplain around 1900. Anglo-Americans joined in the farming after 1920, when boundary unrest ended. Cotton and food crops were grown around Castolon and what is now Rio Grande Village even after the park was established.
Big Bend is a must see. Chisos Mountains hiking. Ross Maxwell scenic drive to Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande along the unpaved River Road. Mariscal Mine. And miles of desert views. Check out my blog about it with little kids at oneshot1001.blogspot.com
I spent 3 days in Big Bend and really LOVED the park!
Hiked to Hot Springs and found this manmade pool by the Rio Grande where i could enjoy a nice warm river bath, the trail to the Balanced Rock is beautiful and quite, and the view is amazing. The best part to me was the Ross Maxwell scenic drive leading to the Santa Elena Canyon, where you can hike into the canyon via the Santa Elena Canyon trail (do it til the end), not easy to find but totally worth the detour, you won't regret it, it's mystical, i found a bit of Heaven there. Will go back to Big Bend!
The Big Bend National Park could easily be considered as one of the greatest natural wonders of Far West Texas, a place where someone can discover his stamina limits and find out things about his inner self and nature that can barely find in any other part of the USA.
Tough, pure, challenging, spectacular, dangerous, mystical, amazing, great are only few of the characterizations that fit to what Big Bend is really all about.
Be aware that this place is for very experienced and tough hikers who are looking for challenging places. If you are into luxuries of the modern world, then this place is NOT for you.
While there, the best places to visit are Boquillas Canyons, the Window Trail, the South Rim hike and the old village. The nights there are magical and the skies are totally dark with millions of bright stars. This was my favorite part of the 5 day hiking..!!!! Nature at its best !!!
BORDER PATROL CHECKPOINTS. Leave the goodies at home. Really like this park! Great for hiking, window trail and hot springs trail are especially cool. Takes a little while to navigate the park and some roads are inaccessible. Cool camping spots and amazing sky gazing.
A magnificent proof that nature is big wonder. Lovely scenic drive and lot of spots to stop and click. One may need one full day to have a complete visit at this park.
Breathtaking scenery and a change from the everyday city life
It's worth every mile to get there. The views are absolutely breathtaking. There is nothing around as a reminder of civilization, including a cell phone signal, but that's the beauty of this place... an escape into raw, untouched nature. Eventhough you are close to the Mexican border, there is no threat of being kidnapped by the cartel or whatever like I was afraid of. Because there is nothing but beautiful nature and rock formations for miles on both sides. It's a trip of a lifetime, and I will forever be grateful to have seen the mountains and vallies kissed by the setting sun as well as witnessing the night sky and every bright star without light pollution. It's like nowhere else on Earth.
I only spent a day. Big mistake, spend weeks and weeks here exploring to your hearts content. I will be back to give a more thorough review but definitely one the greatest parks I've been to.
If you are a Texan, a park enthusiast, love nature or even if you're not, Big Bend is a great destination. Entering the Chisos basin is unforgettable. Camping is fantastic here and the basin has a lodge and restaurant with a beautiful view of 'The Window', a parting between the mountains facing west (so beautiful sunsets abound). Hiking is definitely not for the super beginner, make sure you take plenty of water as the day heats up very quickly. The park can also be experienced by car and there is fuel available in Panther Junction.
Amazing place to visit! we hiked several trails and spend 3 days in the area. Check out Flatlander's revolt E4 for our experience at Big Bend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXfThedUmiM&t=719s
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Big Bend National Park
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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Wheelchair Accessible
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