Best Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park

21 reviews

Seasonal Popularity

Overview

A huge diversity of bird species and wildflowers in a remote corner of desert-bound western Texas? Yep. Welcome to Big Bend National Park, a bird-watcher and nature lover's perfect retreat (so long as you mind the summer heat).

Getting Started

Prepare to be wowed by Big Bend National Park in the Chisos Mountains, so long as you plan your trip carefully.

Big Bend is a great example of ecotone, a transition area between biomes, making it a fantastic place to spot wildlife. And according to the National Park Service, it's the most diverse bird population among U.S. national parks. But due to its popularity, make sure to reserve your campsites in advance if you're planning a visit.

Looking for a fantastic, short hike to explore the area? Check out the trails up to Casa Grande and The Window. Looking for something more challenging? You'll love the 11 mile loop around Emory Peak.

For those really looking to explore the Chisos mountains on foot, make sure to read up on backcountry camping within the park.

When to Go

April is the best time to visit to catch the ocotillo cactus bloom and wildflowers, though late summer or early fall is your next best bet. Avoid Spring Break if you can help it due to the crowds, and the summer because of the brutal heat.

Permits

Like most national parks, Big Bend requires an entrance fee. Check out this page for a breakdown of costs. If you're camping in the backcountry, pick up your backcountry use permit for between $6-$12 from the Panther Junction or Chisos Basin visitor centers.

Dog Info

Except for service animals, pets are only allowed on leash within the park's developed areas. If your car can't get there, neither can your pup.

Resources

wikipedia

Hiking Trails (50)
Reviews (21)

mlaningham 1 month ago

Jeep Badge of Honor Trail. 4wd a must and high clearance def recommended. Did the trail North to South. It gets to the point right off the bat! Was a great day of wheelin! You can turn around and go back down the trail or continue going (which is what we did) and follow the River Road all around the park. Took us about 5 hours of backroad trail driving to get back to a main road and was worth every minute. Some of the best views in the park. And with the summer monsoon season upon us, made for some killer storm watching!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

jalward1976 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Okay first of all. I was warned not to do this trail near the summer months. But it was a part of the park I haven’t seen and seemed like a challenge I could accept. It was hot and there was NOT a lot of shade. We took breaks in what little shade we could find. But it was still manageable. We wanted to go further but we found a nice shaded spot to setup camp. And as the day settled into night it was very enjoyable. Our plan was to finish the hike in the morning. But we decided we didn’t want to risk getting caught out in the heat again. So we left early unable to finish the entire trail. The walk back in the morning being mostly down hill and in the shade was very enjoyable. This is where it gets bad. Unfortunately as we approached my vehicle parked at the trailhead. It had been broken into. With a lot of my fiancé’s valuables taken. Mostly likely by illegals. We made a report with the ranger. They were very professional and I appreciate all the help received by them. A lot of folks near the visitors center offered help. Which all made us feel a lot better. All and all if you consider doing this trail. Do it during the cooler months and plan to do a a single day hike. It’s just to secluded and too close to the border.

★ ★