Top 50 things to do and attractions in Big Bend National Park

Santa Elena hike is worth every moment. Recommend bringing sandals, towel to dry off your feet if you want to get in the water

Spectacular canyon carved by the river. The shear cliffs reach a height of 1500 feet (457 meters) above the river. The views are stunning and the trails not for the faint of heart but worth exploring for the beauty it rewards. It gets hot here so always plan your hike with proper clothing, shoes, ventilated hat, and plenty of water. This place is a must see if in the Grand Canyon National Park.

An easy 1.7 mile hike to see the canyon. If you hike towards the end of the day you’ll have a shade and a cool breeze during the month of October.

Stunning view of the Canyon Bordering US and Mexico. Hike was pretty easy with some switchbacks. A quick 30 min to an hour hike until the end of the trail. We went here around november so Weather is pretty perfect as inside the canyon is a lot cooler.

A must do when visiting Big Ben! Absolutely beautiful! We didn’t canoe but will the next time we visit! We even saw wild horses!

Beautiful Canyon, easy hike.

This is a short hike with a spectacular view at the end. It is not a difficult hike and there are lovely views along the way. However when you get to the end of the trail, The views of the canyon are stunning! They are all some areas at the start of the hike which are a little steep.

Such a beautiful trail with views for days! I’d recommend hitch hiking to the trailhead from the chisos basin visitors center parking lot, the other guests in the park were all wonderful. ~2 hr in the afternoon

Awesome trail! Beautiful views, lots of elevation so plan for an upward journey. 4.8 miles round trip.

Make sure to do this first thing in the morning to enjoy the view and make sure on heading here before 7AM or else parking would be slim. Great hike for starters, good amount of switchbacks on the last mile stretch. Stay for 15-20 min on top and continue on your itinerary.

Absolutely beautiful Vista at the top, decent amount of elevation change throughout the hike. The parking at the trailhead is extremely limited. Arrived around 9:30 am parking lot and the side of the road was full with many cars waiting for a spot.

Lost mine trail is absolutely an amazing trail to hike. 100% don't give up and make all the way to the top. It is 100% worth it with the most incredible views. The views are breathtakingly beautiful.

Hiked the Lost Mine Trail while visiting Big Bend National Park, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. The views are absolutely stunning—from desert landscapes to mountain peaks, it’s nonstop scenery the whole way up. The trail is about 4.8 miles round trip and moderately challenging, but totally doable with breaks. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds, and don’t forget to bring plenty of water. It’s a steady climb, but the views at the top make it all worth it. If you’re only doing one hike in Big Bend, make it this one.

5 miles, 1100 feet of elevation gain, a short hike of 3 hours total with beautiful views at the top. Somewhat busy as it is very approachable, show up early to get a parking spot, I overnighted in the park for early access.

I loved our campsite! It was placed in a way that there was a nice amount of privacy, yet close enough to get to a bathroom and water. The scenery, of course, was spectacular. Do not count on cell service in the campground (which isn’t altogether a negative). I’m so glad we were able to camp there before the basin closes for some construction work. It was also nice to have this place to return to to cool off after some fairly hot and long days of hiking. Grateful for time away in this beautiful place!

These are the best campgrounds in the park! You are literally in the middle of breathtaking mountains like the Casa Blanca, and the highest point of the park as well (South Rim and Emory Peak). The rangers greet you once you come in and introduce themselves. They are very nice and knowledgeable of the area and can give you major tips and precautions such as don’t forget to clean up your mess as all sorts of animals smell it especially if left unattended (like bears). Each campground has a bear certified lock and it works good. The rangers also gave tips on which activities can fit into the number of days of your itinerary! It was the best experience. Finally, I recommend coming during the Fall as camping in a rainy season are not for beginners and is tedious.

George the campsite host was amazing! Looked out for us gave us assistance and made sure our trip was great. Give the man 5 gold stars! More Campsites should be able to accommodate a 24 foot Rv. The view was more than anyone could ask. Be careful of the nightly wind. I felt like our Rv was going to blow over . The Rv dump station was winterized in June. Over all a terrific experience

To describe in one word, Beautiful, the camp is entirely surrounded by mountains which you'd guess from the name lol. Alot of Gnats but if you go camping often then you know thats expected. Majority of the sites are on a hill so they may be uneven.

Camp grounds are great, clean, actual toilets! Hosts were friendly and very helpful. Beware of wild life, there are spiders, bears and wild cats as well as snakes, it is the desert.

So beautiful. Cold at night time and hot during the day so pack accordingly. Be prepared for some of the most amazing views ever.

It's a nice location but the campground is usually booked out and there is not much privacy since campsites are close to each other

Went to Big Bend NP on Easter Sunday. Was done with the 15-mile Emory Peak and South Rim loop by 2:30pm, so ranger suggested I go out to Homer Wilson Ranch and then Santa Elena Canyon. Did Window first and then headed out on Ross Maxwell drive by 5pm. Loved the experience. Did Homer Wilson to Red Rock Canyon, Burro Springs, and Santa Elena. Drove back after sunset, and it was okay - just had to brake sometimes to let animals cross the road. It's worth taking this drive, maybe not all the way to Santa Elena if you're short on time.

We only drove 7 miles in and stopped at first overlook. Really pretty and rugged. Bike ride was fun once it started going up. Just a lot of flat space to get there.

To sum it up in one word is to do this marvel of a roadway a disservice. Stunning doesn’t even begin to describe my experience driving down this road. From the beauty of the chisos mountains, to the staggering awe inspiring heights of the Santa Elena canyon and the cliffs that make up the Mexican border, this breathtaking route truly has it all. 10/10 would recommend to anyone in the area.

Fabulous scenic drive in Big Bend national park. Have several side stops so you can get out and take pictures. Remote but we'll worth the drive if you plan a trip to west Texas

Such a beautiful drive with plenty of overlooks and small hikes branching out. There’s plenty of options for a variety of hiking experiences. You get great views of the park and the sites on this side of Big Bend.At the end is the Santa Elena canyon trail which is definitely worth the stop if it is open. Such a great experience

Stunning scenic drive with lots of pull offs for incredible views and short hikes to old homesteads. This is a great option on a hot day or a great way to see the park if you are unable to hike.

It just so happened to be cloudy, raining and freezing the days we went, but words still cannot describe the beauty to be seen. Definitely suggest stopping and taking the short hikes, well worth it.

It’s an awesome drive, beautiful Mountains rough dessert terrain cool weather 80 degrees when in San Antonio it was 101 07/29/23

One of the best hikes you can go in the big bend. The view was breathtaking. I rate this route as easy to moderate due to it contains some sudden climbs. All ways don’t forget your water bottle. If you are not confident of trying the Emory peak from the first try may be it’s better to try this one first

As a kid my parents would take us on vacations in Big Bend almost every summer. The hiking trails, Santa Elena Canyon, and Boquillas Canyon we're beautiful. We always stayed in the Basin in the camping area, either in tents or travel trailer. The memories have stayed with me and would love to go back again soon.

Such a beautiful place! Several hiking trail choices. Must see for sure

Camping here on Thanksgiving years ago. I took photos and painted a pastel of Casa Grande.

great views for sure. Felt like I was in Colorado for a little while

Greatest Wildlife and Mountain Views In Texas

This was a really nice hike to the highest point in the park. We started at 8:20 am on 11/6 and most of the way up we had shade which was really appreciated as it got pretty hot on the way back down when there were a lot more sections of sun. To get to the very top of the peak, there is a short scramble on hands and feet that I was a little nervous to complete but it was totally worth it and manageable.

Crazy view from the top of Emory Peak! Very fun hike to the top, balancing difficulty and enjoyment. Extremely scenic; can’t recommend enough!

Amazing views from the top of Emory Peak! Definitely not for the faint of heart. Going up isn't that bad. Climbing down backwards is a bit sketchy. Pro tip- Make sure to take plenty of water for your hike up and especially back down.

Beautiful views from on top. Right about 8,000 feet

Hard Trial!!! Go with the proper planned with water and necessary costumes. Once you reach the peak it’s an awesome movie you feel like standing above all the big bend peaks. That feel is extraordinary. Well worth it. Took us just under 8 hours including the hour plus we spent at the top. You definitely could do this in under 6 but we took it at a slow and steady pace. The final half mile of the trail is very technical with lots of rocks to navigate. We had to stow our trekking poles and slowly work our way to the top. Once at the top it took us a little to figure out what way to go to climb to the peak. But going around the right (northern) side seemed the best way to go. We were able to climb at more of an angle instead of going straight up the center which was more of a vertical climb. I was able to do it with my relatively large backpack. It definitely isn't for the faint of heart but the "scramble" up was worth it. The hardest part was finding a way up. Also it's the right (northern) peak not the left (southern) peak.

Where are we going? See the highest part of that mountain? That's where! What an outstanding hike... but be prepared! Here's what you need to know. #1. You're gonna travel about 11 miles #2. The elevation gain is about 2500 feet #3. It's a there and back trail so the elevation loss will be about 2500 feet #4. It will take around 6 hours... give or take an hour #5. To get to the peak can be confusing at the end... you will have to do a little climbing. So yeah... be ready for an amazing and beautiful hike. It's a crazy journey that can be pretty challenging if you do not realize what you are getting into. Water, food, and a way to protect yourself from the sun are super important things and trekking poles can be pretty helpful coming back down. Be aware of your surroundings and keep the park clean!

Excellent hike and views. Quite strenuous, especially the last 50ft, which requires climbing steep boulders and rocks with sheer cliff edges close by. We completed Emory peak as part of a two day hike around the south rim. There are bear boxes and a composting toilet located 1.5 miles from the top which we utilized both;). Leaving our packs at the bear box and just bringing water/snack made the hike up to the peak much more enjoyable. My 12 year old son and I went to the top, but use your own judgement since the last 50ft are very steep and require reaching and climbing, so much so that there were several adult males in other groups who chose not to climb it. This is an excellent hike with awestriking views even if you refrain from this last section. It truly gave us the opportunity to lift up our eyes and see who created these magnificent works of art!

Built on a spot where paleontologist have found fossils. The exhibit buildings are open but have a roof. The displays are very informative and professionally done to educate all ages. Many of the exhibits are hands on to add to the learning experience. I very much enjoyed walking around and though the exhibits learning new things with each step. A must see if in the Big Bend National Park.

This is a great spot for families, or anyone really. There are interesting exhibits describing the paleontological finds in Big Bend, and also a really nice easy-to-climb lookout with a fantastic view. There are restrooms and a picnic shelter, and the picnic shelter area has some fun exhibits just for kids.

Really neat experience, like how it chronologically walks you through the different era of earth. The illustration were very high quality and the physical models were fun for the kids to see and touch. The build also offers a nice cool place and is environmental friendly design very cool architecture. Suggest you see this on way in or out of big bend national Park from Marathon area as it convenient right off the park entrance road to Panther junction cicitor center.

I’m an adult with a fascination for fossils and geology and this place ROCKED! One of my favorite stops in the park. Open air museum that had a great breeze and was shaded. Informational plaques detailing the fossil molds you’re looking at + the history of the lands of BBNP over millions of years. Short walk uphill takes you to a lookout.

Informative and interesting. There are outhouse style bathrooms here. They weren't clean at the time but still nice to have them available out in the middle of nowhere.

This is a waste of time. Hands down worse place in the park. All replicas and reconstruction filled with speculation with very little scentfic research quoted. Can't believe this is on government property such a disgrace.

Nice little dinosaur museum. Very nice location with beautiful elevated spot for a 360 view of the surrounding area

Such a nice hiking trail. Very well buildt, perfect signage and well tended. Never lost track of the way, even without a map or gps. Very clean as well. But of course the best is the view. It is amazing and there so many nice spot along the way where you can enjoy the astonishing landscape all around. Highly recommended!

This is a long days hike but very worth it. We hiked the pinnacles trail first and looped back through the meadows at the end. Highly recommend starting early to avoid climbing in the heat. It was a beautiful hike with many impressive lookouts, I would recommend for any novice hiker!

Hiked on 10/21/20-10/23/2020. We stayed in Pinnacles site 1 for the first night, the second night we hiked to the southern rim to get a glimpse of this beauty and then camped in the Colima site 1. Both campsites had bear boxes and plenty of space. Unfortunately these pictures don’t do the view justice.. you’ll have to go for yourself. Bring plenty of water!

The trail is challenging, expect to finish it in one day. The end results are worth it .. Dramatic views of the Rio Grande River, Santa Elena Canyon, numerous valleys and mountains . It’s feels as though you are on top of the world.

Hike October 4th 2020 beautiful weather awesome hike

I have rode the South Rim Trail a few times. The most recent time, I took my children. For them to see the ' untouched by human' senic beauty was a thrill for me. The best part, it was a clear day. Since the South Rim is the place where you can see the most in the WESTERN HEMISPHERE, being clear weather is the most important factor. I have never hiked the trail. Most hike up on one day and return the next. I was amazed with all the animals who had no fear of us. Squirrels and birds are straight out of our hands. Big Bend National Park is delightful with its diversity of things to see and extremes in landscapes.

Wonderful time, it was over cast most of the time.

This is a nice spot to overnight in your car in the winter time, get a blanket for the night and wake up to a beautiful sunrise. Back in 2019, there used to be a US Customs office right by the river and you could get to Boquillas del Carmen in small boats run by locals to have lunch on the Mexican side. Not sure if this is still possible now. The mesas on the US side are pretty impressive , they are not very tall but the view from a few hundred feet of elevation is quite beautiful.

The Boquillas Canyon Trail is a must do hiking trail. The trailhead is about 4 miles from the Rio Grande Campground, that had restrooms, a store and WiFi. At the trailhead there is ample parking, and a vault toilet. The trail is out ant back, with the first part of the trail having stairs and a small switch back. Only the beginning is moderate, with the rest being easy. If the river is low, you can hike into the walls of the canyon. I saw wild horses and a honor system vender stand. There is zero cell and WiFi at this trail.

Really nice, easy trail in Big Bend. Great canyon views and views of the Rio Grande.

Such a cute, quaint town with great people. Super small and truly a unqiue place to spend the day

Heaven on earth!

Not as grand as Santa Elena, so do this first so that you're not underwhelmed. It's still beautiful.

The place has an enchanting effect ! Not to miss in Big Bend

Great trail. Pretty easy. Bring cash to buy trinkets left by folks from across the border.

I would say a must-do in the park because the views all around the river and walking through the tall grass is what makes this park what it is. You can continue to walk straight out all the way to the river, but we just did the overlook loop, and saw everything we needed to see. Parking is just finding a non-camping spot along the side of the road somewhere, so it can be a bit difficult during the busy times of day.

We hiked this trail and watched the sun set all 4 nights we stayed in this campground. I rated it moderate because I have 2 bad knees and am out of shape. You can see the Sierra del Carmen turn colors with the sun set, Boquillas del Carmen and the Rio Grande at the overlook. Make sure to also take the spur down to the river before leaving. Do not miss this trail!

Absolutely amazing area to visit and camp. I would highly recommend a trip to this area and spend the time exploring the many trails. Main visitor building has junior ranger activites for the children to complete and earn badges. Got a chance to see a variety of wild animals, including coyotes. Will definitely be back to explore other parts of this park.

Beautiful lookout point over the Rio Grande. Photographers: Do not miss this for sunsets! I almost skipped it for another location, but I'm very glad I didn't! You won't find a better trade off of easy, short hike and gorgeous photo opportunities in all of Big Bend. Was a bit hard to find at first during the slow season as everything was closed and no traffic around. You have to drive into RV parking and head to the far back corner of the lot and you'll see a tiny trail head between some trees. It's a very short, easy walk. If you're a bit more adventurous, hike up the short hill for a spectacular view. It can be quite windy up there, so hang onto your hat. Nothing but sky and gorgeous landscape. As the sun sets, don't forget to look behind you, as the shadows dance across the face of the mountains. You can't get the same photo twice. For reference, these photos were taken in June.

This is a GREAT spot for a sunset. It was an easy hike with great views of the river valley and into Mexico. Worth the hike!

Nice and short, easy, but interesting trail with a small butte to climb, river to explore, and archaeological artefacts. Beautiful views. Short walk from the campground.

If you have the chance to stay in one of the cottages, take it! The views can’t be missed. These are not luxurious accommodations, in fact they are barely a step up from camping, but you have a bathroom and four walls which means you can sleep peacefully away from others.

We stayed in Oct 2025. Understanding that they will be undergoing renovations in 2026, we were not expecting much for facilities. The room was old, but very clean and had a patio off the back. So quiet in the evenings for stargazing and very close to all the trailheads. Would definitely recommend. Can't wait to see what it looks like after renovations are complete.

We spent 2 nights at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, specially in the Rio Grande Motel. We had a double room that was rustic but clean, comfy beds, hot shower and small fridge/freezer& great lil patio with an amazing view. Well worth the price and convenience to walk out your room and be so close to nature and some amazing hikes. Plus the stars at night were absolutely incredible & stunning- this international dark sky park did not disappoint. The store had basics, BBNP gifts, obviously due to the remote location prices were a little higher but that should be expected. We also had dinner at the food truck- mostly sandwiches & salads but our burger & tots were delicious. My only suggestion would be more red light versus regular white light on the exterior of the buildings.

Chisos Mountains Lodge is in an unbeatable location — right in the heart of Big Bend National Park, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. The amenities are basic, but that’s perfectly reasonable given the remote setting — you come here for nature, not luxury. The staff at the on-site store were wonderful — friendly, helpful, and patient in answering questions and assisting with check-in. Overall, a great stay in a truly special place.

This is an awesome place to stay while visiting Big Bend. The park is so large that lodging within it brings greater ease. Although some rooms have better views, ALL rooms have nice views. The room was very clean! and even with the government shut down, the staff were so kind and helpful. I compliment them for all their work, when they are paid and not. Our parks could not sustain their beauty without them,

Amazing location within the parks. However, the room condition (C7) is horrendous. The carpet is heavily stained, tiles are cracked, dirty mildew shower curtain, MOLD in wooden cabinet, broken and blackened mini fridge. The price was around $200 a night so it wasn't cheap. I would book again just for the location but you should be aware of the room condition.

You are better off camping as the rooms are so bare-bones that the only thing these rooms offer over a campsite is a hot shower. It's an absolute ripoff for $217 even considering the location. No WiFi, no TV, not even a table in the room for you to eat a meal. Bathrooms are tiny and the room atmosphere feels like an abandoned college dorm room. At least there's a fridge and microwave but at least campsites have a picnic table for you to eat. If you really need a shower, I'd plan in your itinerary a 45 minute drive to Rio Grande Village to check out the hot springs and pay $7 for a coin operated hot shower there instead of wasting $217 here.

Moderate 2.2 mile hike roundtrip. The first mile is flat and easy. The last .2 mile is a steep climb uphill on rocky terrain. Sturdy shoes are a must! Beautiful views at the top! Not crowded at all in the evening. It’s 7.7 miles down grapevine road before you enter the parking lot for balanced rock trial. That road is very rocky and narrow.

Need a high clearance vehicle to get through the road to Balance Rock. Overall another short hike to the rock formation at the top which is worth wait and a stop to have a snack or hydration before going back. Had fun taking a picture of myself airborne on the rock formation because just love the outlook of the scenery and creative I was. Hike is mostly flat until the last quarter mile little incline but easily doable.

One of my favorite hikes & views in BBNP. The road is treacherous, be sure to have enough clearance on your vehicle. Saw lizards and a scorpion, close toed shows needed for sure. Climb up the mountain next to Balanced Rock for a great perspective.

Absolutely beautiful hike! The beginning of the trail is fairly easy (I probably could have taken a jogger stroller on). It was about 0.80miles. The last 0.25 is a scramble up a Rocky Mountain side. You’ll need both hands free to climb- BUT totally worth the views! We spent about 30 minutes at the top just enjoying & eating snacks! Also note- the road to this travel is a gravel road for high clearance vehicles- extremely rocky & bumpy. You’ll have to take it slow, which takes you about 40 minutes to get down 6 miles.

Excellent hike with jaw dropping views! This was one of my favorite hikes in the park. There is no shade on this trail. We went in the morning and only passed a couple of people on the trail. We had the entire “balanced rock” area to ourselves. Relatively flat trail until you get the the end. Some rock scrambling is required to get up to the balanced rock.

Loved the hike. It was a mild to medium challenge. Plan for about 1.5 hour hike. The scent is great and we loved the nature of the adventure.

Fun hike, but the last .2 of a mile is not easy and scrambling on hands and knees up the rocks. Well worth it for the views! Was hot in February so for summer doing this early morning is advised. Best to have a high clearance vehicle to drive to the trailhead.

It was such a beautiful hike in and out. There are a LOT of stairs, and the shade is limited in patches, so I would recommend going during cooler times of day, or even seasons. While the entrance to the canyon, from the river access is beautiful to see, the hike in is completely worthwhile. There are a lot of plant species to observe, and sweet little birds to watch. There are restrooms available at the parking area. So glad we finally made it there!

The trail is under the water due to the storm. Therefore, we could not get any further after 5 mins walk from the parking lot. The restroom is next to the parking lot. The canyon with green plants, colorful rocks, white clouds, and blue sky is perfect natural painting. Lots of butterflies there.

This place is calm and serene. The hike is easy. Just make sure to cross the water at the right place. Else you would easily get lost. There are many places to just sit and enjoy the cool water. I highly recommend it.

Nice hike and great view. Plenty of parking and bathrooms at parking area.

Hiking All trails mileage and elevation profile listed are out of wack so don't trust it. Is more of 2.5 mile ~ 350ft total. It's not a literal walk in the park and does require climbing some stairs and elevation, but still reasonably easy, trail, and possibly one of the best in the park. Would highly recommend doing this at sunset for the best atmosphere and less crowds. Some steps and mostly smooth. Informative information throughout trail explaining everything. Nice to see the line of US and Mexico

Beautiful area with picturesque views. We took a canoe trip and had a fantastic time. Such an amazing place.

One of the most popular trails in the park. It was a fairly easy 1.4 mile hike out and back. People get confused when they come to the river crossing. The trail goes through the river. People were walking down the river and crossing at the dry part and climbing up a different area and it very difficult and steep that way. Just do yourself a favor and cross the river, it's so much easier and will cool you off. It was about waist deep. Take some extra clothes if you wish. I was dry within 10 mins after going through the river.

Amazing hike. Great views all along the way and the final end point is awesome. Not terribly difficult, but can be punishing if you do it in the heat of the day. Hike in the morning and bring water.

Beautiful short hike to a GREAT view of the window. Handicap accessible.

This is great trail from Chisos Basin , due to short of time could not walk to end of trail but I am sure this might be offering amazing views of nature. Had glimpses from distance & few photos are for review

Great ~3 mile hike from Chisos Basin. Features several small water crossings leading to a great view of the surrounding area.

Pictures do not do the view justice. Well worth the hike down to see. The trail offers a nice downhill hike to the window, and then a little more strenuous hike back to the trailhead. Offers plenty of views of the Chisos Mountains and Basin.

Great sunset hike, not too challenging and excellent payoff. I’d suggest bringing a headlamp, stay at window till near sunset, and hike back as the sun sets below the mountains and produces this skyline silhouette.

The view of the window is arguably better than the view through the window when you arrive. In the summer and spring the sun sets straight through the window "V" creating beautiful skies and sunsets. The trail to the window is very hot and exposed so start early and bring water! Be aware of mountain lions or bears as there is a seasonal creek that flows to the window. The window itself can get slick as it's very smooth rock.

Plenty of parking, border agents were friendly and very helpful/informative. Short walk down to the river. The water was low enough to easily cross on foot. The town of boquillas is .65 mile walk after crossing the river. Donkey/horse rental is $15 per person. Car ride is $10-$15 per person. I personally walked the entire thing, easy terrain on soft sandy gravel.

Uhm… this was such a unique experience — and very different from what I expected… 😬🙃 I didn’t do much homework beforehand, so for anyone who’s used to driving through a typical border crossing, this one is not that. Boquillas Port of Entry is small, friendly, and open 9 AM–4 PM only, plenty of parking — so plan your timing carefully, otherwise have fun staying over in Mexico! You park and walk into a small building where a border officer (who was incredibly kind and helpful) will explain the process. There’s even a printed map and set of instructions they recommend you take a photo of. After that, you take a short walk through the sand (it’s the desert, so even in November it was blazing hot midday) to reach the Rio Grande. There, a local guide tugs you across the river in a boat. Once you’re across, you have a few options to reach the town of Boquillas: walk (about 20 minutes in the sand), ride a donkey, take a truck, or hop on a horse (about 8 minutes). The animals basically know the route, and each group is paired with a local guide. My friend’s horse was clearly ready to clock out for the day — racing her straight to its home stable instead of the official stop. It made for a great story. 💀 On the way back is when they checked our passports and it was a pretty quick and painless process. A few tips: - Bring cash — you’ll need it for the boat, animal rides, and to shop in town. Some of the shops have WiFi and Zelle and Venmo but transport folks do not. - The town itself is small (~200 people) and absolutely worth visiting. Locals sell handmade crafts and art, and it’s a wonderful way to support their economy. It’s a one-of-a-kind border crossing and a total adventure. 😂 How many modes of transport can one take? Well this border entry answers that. Highly recommend — just be prepared for the desert heat, plan ahead for the limited hours, and enjoy the riiiiide (literally). 🐴☀️💛

It was an interesting experience to cross the river and have lunch in Mexico. Here are the details: -You can walk across the river that is maybe 2 feet deep for free, or take a 5 second boat ride for $5 per person round trip -once across, you can either walk into town for free (they say it’s 3/4 mile), or pay to be taken into town via truck, burro, or horse. We did burros and it was $15 a person. We ended up walking back to the crossing vs taking the burros again because it was a really uncomfortable ride, and much slower than walking. -in town, you have to check in with Mexico immigration and pay $7 per person to get a wristband. -there are 2 restaurants in town. We went to the one overlooking the river. They accept Venmo and have WiFi. The food is decent but could use some seasoning and spice. Everything else described above is CASH only. -the locals will constantly try to sell you things and remind you to tip them, which for me just really took me out of the moment of trying to enjoy myself. -when arriving back in USA, this is when you must show your passport, so don’t forget it! Overall I would say it’s worth doing just once!

Port of entry agents were helpful & professional. The river crossing was a great experience. We floated across the Rio Grande on a 12' flat bottom boat (see picture). The river's edge was a little muddy. There is no boat landing. They just pull up to the edge & pull you across. Cost $5 each Then we road donkeys to the village 1 mile away from the river. The walk would have been tough for us. We're 73!! Sand, rock, incline, no shade - 105°. The donkey was a neat experience. Cost $15 each. Our guide, Thomas, walked with us to the village & stayed with us during our visit. We felt very safe. There were very few vendors. I'm sure it's because it was June. Their tourist season was mostly over. We enjoyed 2 Cokes, Sopapia & ice cream & bought a Tecate Red for Thomas - $20 including tip - restaurant Jose' Falcon. Donkeys back to the boat, across the river & checked in at border crossing. In all, about 2 hrs. You don't need your passport to leave, but you need your passport to return. Don't forget it!

Make sure you have your passports, or they won't let you back in. They don't check your passport until you return. Also, make sure you are back by 4:00 PM, and if it's on a Sunday, you will be stuck in Boquillas for two days until Wednesday. So make your way back from Boquillas Town no later than 3:15 PM. Lines could get long closer to 4:00 PM. Walk down to the boat crossing is about 5 to 10 min. Walk into Boquillas town about 15 to 20 min. Donkey or horse, a little quicker.

First time to Mexico. Had lunch. The restaurants are nice. And the food is good.

We have been to Big Bend multiple times so I thought it time to try the much talked about trip to Mexico. Honestly- not worth it. It’s $5 a person to boat across water that you can easily walk across. Once over you can ride a mule for $10, a horse for $15, or walk for free. You don’t “have” to take the boat or the animals but there is a real pressure to do so. The walk is only 3/4 of a mile- I chose to walk and my kiddos rode. There is a $3.50 charge once you’re over in Mexico. The village is tiny and the trinkets are very much overpriced. We had lunch, which was $8 a person. The food wasn’t bad. The entire visit just felt like a real money grab. I would have enjoyed walking around more but your “guide” very much keeps you in an area. I’m glad we tried it but I wouldn’t go again. As for the review on the actual boarder crossing- the staff was very pleasant. He gives a very big run down on what is okay to bring back and what is not. The bathrooms are clean and well stocked. You have to go through immigration on the way back and it’s via iPad- that was a first for me. The hours are 9-4pm and they made it clear if you’re not back by 4pm you will be stuck.

Super easy trail. Neat geological structures! Great hike for little kids because it's less than 1.5 miles round trip. There's some shade in the canyon but lots of exposed trail with hot sun.

A little steep, but a fun little detour. Be sure to shout a few echoes!

(Translated by Google) Magnificent Trail in the canyon and superb view at the top! Watch out for the small stones that roll under your shoes on the descent…! (Original) Magnifique Trail dans le canyon et superbe vue en haut! Attention aux petits cailloux qui roulent sous les chaussures dans la descente…!

Nice building in and out. It got its name, Starlight when there was no roof. They shave a roof now and still have a stage and dancefloor. Nice range of food for all. The chicken fried Texas antelope was tender, unique and delicious. The gravy was based on lone star beer . It was thick and the flavors of beer present from first to last bite.

Wereso glad we changed our dinner plans and went to Starlight Theatre instead. Great atmosphere, tasty food, and super friendly service. Genna was our server and she was fabulous! Don't miss this restaurant if your in Terlinqua!

Make sure you get a reservation!!! If not, you’ll be eating at the bar or later in the evening. Place opens at 5PM. Food was very good and sitting at the bar was fine. Very busy when they first open but seems to go quick as most are there to fulfill their bucket lists. Lol. Very friendly staff and a full bar.

Arrive early (or late) or wait for a table, but it's worth it. We went Friday night around 7 and it was a two hour wait, we came back Saturday late and were sat pretty quickly a few songs before the live music concluded. The food is fantastic, don't sleep on the quail with the blueberry sauce... Who knew! Great service, fun atmosphere. It's a good sized place but it gets busy so plan accordingly. Parking is easy with a large dirt parking lot, I mean it is a ghost town right? We split the mixed grill and it was plenty for two.

Good restaurant with variety of options. Tried antelope for the first time. It was good. Didn't blow my mind or anything. Chili was good as well but it is texas style, and I prefer beans in my chili. I had the chicken saute and my girlfriend had salad with grilled salmon. We both enjoyed our dinners and were too full for dessert. Jenna our server was great. They don't do separate checks which is stupid but oh well. Just do the math yourself and they will charge the credit cards accordingly. Highly recommend if you're willing to wait!

My husband and I went to our big bend anniversary adventure. We had our anniversay dinner here and did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great also. Our server was excellent. If I could give 10 stats I would.

we loved everything about the starlight theatre. the food was very good. we had the brussel sprouts (huge portion), they were fantastic. i had the chicken sandwich and my hubby had the chili. all was good. drinks were great, not a good selection of craft beer so i was forced to drink liquor 😳. i enjoyed both drinks. had a scorpion margarita. the prices are very reasonable. overall we loved it!

Beautiful campgrounds near hiking trails. Active wildlife all around the campgrounds! It is about 15 to 20 degrees hotter at this location as opposed to the Chisos campgrounds. Just letting you know because I didn't before I made our first trip

I was there for tent camping in May 2025. They had closed most of the camp sites for the season, so there were only about 5 other camp sites that were occupied while I was there. It was already getting hot during the days (mid 90's most days). The campground is kept clean. The sites are nice...most of the sites have a covered picnic table which is nice to provide shade. The bathrooms are very basic, but were kept clean while I was there. No shower facility is not great for longer stays. There is a nice, short nature trail that starts from this campground. It leads to the Rio Grande and an overlook that gives a beautiful view of the valley and of the mountains on the Mexican side of the border. There is also drinkable water available in the campground which is nice. I enjoyed seeing the Javelinas and donkeys/horses grazing through the campground. I would say the best sites for tent camping are the even number between around 28-36. Night skies are definitely a must see.

Okay so here’s what it was like during the government shutdown. The campground was full and there indeed were rangers working on the park. Sure, they weren’t fully staffed, but they were around. The rio grande store was open and the gas stations were open too. The restrooms on the other hand were in okay condition. It wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst as well. The visitor center was closed but the restrooms over there were open as well. All in all, I wouldn’t worry too much about campground facilities. Go ahead and have fun while you’re out there!

Just returned, traveled during the shutdown. Excellent location, you'll see cows, donkeys, javelinas, coyotes, road runners, and if you're lucky, the Rio Grande beavers. If you select an interior camp site, you'll share with cattle most of the time. They tend to hang out in the middle of the campground. The bathrooms (there are several through this area) were clean flush toilets. There's potable water, small propane disposal, and trash disposal. Excellent hike right by campsite number 18, you can walk to the river from there (we did not note any entry point into the water, but you can hike alongside it) The little store is a quick drive from here, or a nice walk (Not a quick stroll though) and it's open from 8a to 6:30p. They sell food, water, sodas, energy drinks, hot dogs, various food, some trinkets and souvenirs, extra camping supplies, and gasoline (unleaded and diesel) Awesome spot to camp, be sure to bring a camelback with you if you're hiking!

Worst campground experience. People driving in, out and around campground at night - all hours. Lots of noise and lights, with no privacy or separation. Absentee camp host who does nothing about said infractions. Main bathroom building was closed, for some reason, despite it being one of the busiest times of the year. All of which makes it impossible to enjoy the beautiful, serene surroundings. This is the Houston of campgrounds: car focused, busy, bright and noisy as hell. Feels like everyone is on top of one another. Cottonwood Campground is leagues better, more peaceful.

This a campground like no other campground I have experienced. I awoke to horses neighing and mules braying. Javelinas roamed through our site also. We visited in early March and the temperature ranged from 27 to 95 degrees. It was cold cooking breakfast outside but warmed up quickly. Take layers and lots of water. The bathroom was clean and had flush toilets.

We loved staying at Rio Grande Village. Some campsites, including ours, had sun shade covers over the picnic areas which was great for September/October heat. Great views of the area & the Rio Grande from the campground and nature trail. There were javelinas grazing through the campground while we were there which was quite amazing to just sit & watch them! We wanted to camp in Chisos Basin but everything was filled up, so Rio Grande it was. BUT I’m so happy we ended up staying here … it was like an oasis in the desert. Only downside is having to plan everything so carefully since you are 45 minutes+ from the basin. Keep that in mind when booking!

100% best place to visit the n the park!! Lived it! Kids lived it. Easy walk, beautiful views. Bring your swimsuit! Easy walk for families.

A must for Big Bend. Though the trail was washed out a little bit into the canyon. A little scrambling necessary to avoid the mud after you come downhill towards the river midway through the hike. Little rough on a hot day but absolutely worth the views of the canyon and "wild" horses.

It’s a great trail, can get pretty muddy at times, overall was a great hike. The start has a slight incline but was relatively easy, it was also clearly marked where you go, definitely a family friendly hike and gets you right next to the Rio Grande!

One of the best and easiest trails at big bend

It’s very easy and short trail. I was amazed that how two countries divide by mountain wall. People from Mexico leave their hand made stuff USA side to sell it with tiny money box. So if you like to buy anything just take that item and put money in that box. I call it trust store😀. If you are going there make sure to take some cash with you.

Very easy trail with great view. We dif hiking with 2 little kids (7 & 5 years) @ 1:10 PM and get to the end of the trail at 1:30. Spent 10 minutes to take some photo and get back to parking lot at 1:50. It was only 40 minutes hiking and Kids friendly trail.

Short easy hike to the lookout with a nice view of the bend in the river with Mexico and United States on the banks, good spot for watching the sunset. The trail is mostly clean except occasional piles of horse dung.

Easy and beautiful hike 4 or 6 mile round trip. The spring that you pass had just a tiny little puddle

It was hot, we packed extra drinks and were greatful we did! Loved the lava rocks, and so much wonderful nature to see on this hike! The spring had bugs we have never seen before, like a huge bright red dragonfly! We played with the pictures like the ears were ours and the end viewpoint makes your aching legs feel worth it. Also, don't forget to look down- geodes in the rocks & TONS of crystal! Magic. Beautiful. A must hike 💕

Went thru Big Bend National Park, enjoyed touring this Park immensely. Drove thru with a tour guide downloaded to my phone and stopped to take many pictures, this was just one stop in the park.

Absolutely loved Mule Ears. Watched the Geminids meteor shower, moon and sun rise here and was an awesome view all night. So peaceful, quiet and relaxing... Was a bit cold with 40+ mph winds and 25 degrees weather, but still worth it!!!

Very nice views, you can walk the whole or just part of the trail to enjoy.

Easy trail, relatively flat. Landscape progressively gets greener and more lush as you walk closer to the spring. Enjoyable for all ages!

Great viewpoint and stop along the road. Good for enjoying the view, stopping for a picnic or just a rest. Also the beginning of the trail closer towards the Mule Ears, into the desert springs. There should be more than enough parking spaces.

This river Rio Grande Separates USA with Maxico Odisha police Junior clerk 2024 exam question

Beautiful area. Must see!!

Beautiful

We skipped this hike when we were here in December but this time we decided to tackle it. It says it is 4.8 miles but with some hiking around the different chimenys we made it to 5.2 miles round trip. Going down was easier than coming back up and at mid day in March it was hot. Great views and some really fun places to take pics with a neat stone window.

What a day! Our guide (Maggie) was very knowledgeable of the entire Big Bend Area. We learned so much on our way to the canoe launch spot. The trip on this dying river the Rio Grande, through the canyon is something everyone should do before the river is gone. What a beautifully rustic, desolate, peaceful place. So much to see, I am glad we did the day trip. Put this trip on your bucket list!

My husband and I had a great time on the 8 hour Santa Elena Canyon river trip. James and Alec were great guides. James was very knowledgeable (he has many, many years of experience) so he made the trip even more interesting. Alec was so sweet & helpful - he even saved one of my shoes by diving in after it when it got stuck in some pretty gnarly mud. The lunch was surprisingly good and fulfilling. I am such a “lady” and a momma - so I am used to packing my own food & drinks, but James gave us a warning at their office that morning that they had us covered & all we would need were our water bottles. Glad I took his advice & left my little cooler behind because the loading and unloading of all the gear is literally not for the faint of heart. Pack light, people! They are telling the truth here & the lunch was just enough food & enjoyable. They took us on a hike too, which was a nice filler since the water level was pretty low. The sights of this area are definitely worth seeing and listening to the stories & great information made it worth the sore muscles! lol, it’s quite sobering to see what a desk job does to you when you get out and move your body for a few days straight. Exercise has nothing on being out in God’s country hiking and rowing about. We recommend this tour. It’s worth it.

Loved this! It was a bit of a half river bed hike and half paddle but so worth it. Saw lots of local wildlife and flora. Learned A LOT about Big Bend, Rio Grande and more. Our guide Hannah was beyond knowledgeable, and Gay called to make sure the weather cooperated with our day. Since we had a flexible schedule we were able to move it to a less windy day and we appreciate the foresight and planning on her part to prepare for that! Highly recommend to get to know the area.

Although the guides and employees were amazing, friendly, warm/welcoming, and the equipment was in great shape, the Rio is just too low to enjoy well, in my opinion. This was known ahead of time and advertised on the website, and of course, it was not modifiable, but still. There is a $50 dollar change if you are the only one who books a time, as well. Again, noted on the site. The area is beautiful.

My husband and I took the tour. We signed up for the all day tour because the half day was filled. We were a little worried that it would be too long and exhausting. The total trip 8 am to 4 pm was long, but much of it spent in the van getting a tour entering the park and loading, unloading, and eating lunch. So it was about four hours actually on the river and it was not hard paddling. It was very hot but the guides got us into shade as much as they could. They provided water and lunch. The water level was low when we went so we used canoes. It was enjoyable and it was made much more enjoyable by the guides who shared stories and knowledge of the region and its history. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Texas and New Mexico. If you are looking for rapids and lots of excitement you will need to go when the water level is high.

5 STAR TOUR. HIGHLY RECOMMEND booking! EVEN IF YOU’VE NEVER DONE THIS! I’M NEW TO THIS TOO! I’m so glad my 1st experience as a solo traveler was at Big Bend National Park. It was tranquil, spiritual and life changing. My experience in joining the Santa Elena River tour in a canoe was PERFECTION! OMG. And the cherry on top was being guided by an amazing man named Jared. His experience and knowledge of the park and Terlingua is INSANELY IMPRESSIVE. This experience will forever be a core memory that I cannot wait to recreate with my family. It was an exceptional time, exceptional service, exceptional views. THANK YOU! If you’re comparing this tour with others, you’re wasting your time LOL. This is the gold-standard of all national park tours. Much can be learned from this company.

Our Dark Canyon trip was great. Even though the water was low, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the peaceful paddle. Our guide Sage was very knowledgeable about the local history and geology and was very willing to share! Oh, and even though we had accidentally booked for the wrong Wednesday, the team at BBRT was able to put a trip together for us in 15 minutes!

Big Bend is a big place. Stop at the visitor center to find out where things are, and get fresh drinking water. You'll want to bring lots of water if you do any hiking at all. And make sure you fill up with gas as often as possible. It's a long way between stops, and only a couple of places in Big Bend have gas. There is a gas station next to the visitor center.

Panther Junction Visitor Center – Big Bend National Park I've been to Big Bend a few times, and each time I find myself returning to Panther Junction Visitor Center. It’s the main visitor center that stays open year-round, and during the summer, it's one of only two open (the other being Chisos Basin). The peace and quiet out here never gets old—there’s something calming about the desert landscape that keeps calling me back. The stars at night are absolutely breathtaking—so many and so bright that my photos never quite do them justice. On a clear night, you can even catch the Milky Way. It’s truly a stargazer’s dream. This visitor center is about 3.5 hours from where I stayed in Odessa. Coming from that direction, the visitor center is around 27 miles from the park entrance. Along the way, you’ll pass the Fossil Discovery Exhibit. The Persimmon Gap visitor is on the right as you enter the entrance. But close during the summer. The staff here are really helpful and friendly—you can get all the information you need to plan your visit. Whether it's your first time or your fifth, Panther Junction is a solid starting point for exploring the park—especially in the hotter months when options are limited. Thank you, Big Bend. I’m already looking forward to coming back.

The staff were super nice! I recommend asking them with anything including the help you need! Recommendations, suggestions, opinions, etc... When we visited, a lot of the major trails were closed due to the heavy rain, but they gave us recommendations on what other trails were still open and ones we could check out. They also told us which ones are the must hike spots. Overall, we had a great experience!

Cute visitor center. No coffee tho lol. Great souvenirs! You can get the water bottle stickers here and lapel pins, books, postcards etc

Great stop! Rangers were very friendly. Very informative video about the park playing on a loop. Lots of descriptive displays about the terrain, animals, history, and dinosaur remains found in the park. Large selection of souvenirs, tshirts, books, and postcards. Outdoor lots of native plants. Clean restrooms and plenty of parking.

Great place to get info on your trip to the Park. They have some cool things to purchase as well! Very friendly and knowledgeable! Don't hesitate to ask questions if you are unsure of anything, especially during summer!

Everyone was supper helpful and friendly. This park definitely a worthwhile short term visit. You can only look at so many rocks and prickly things. Until the inevitable realization. They are all the same. At that point. Go to the river and throw rocks at Mexico. Ton of fun.

This whole area is special with breathtaking views in every direction. The journey to and from is spectacular with many twist and turns. This spot has a visitors center and a store but what is really special are the hiking trails. This place does get hot so plan your hiking at the proper time and wear proper attire. Take note bear and mountain lions have been spotted frequently in the area, so hike with caution and in groups of two or more. This is a definite must see if you are in the Big Bend National Park.

Chisos Basin Visitor Center – Big Bend National Park This visitor center is definitely worth the drive—about 10 miles up from the main road, with stunning mountain views along the way. There’s plenty of parking, likely because of the nearby lodge, campground, and restaurant. Behind the visitor center store (the store is separate building from the visitor center, but it's right beside it), there’s a short 0.3-mile loop trail that leads to an incredible view of The Window. It’s a perfect stop, especially at sunset! I thought sunset would be around 5 or 7 PM, but during the summer it’s much later—closer to 8 or even 9 PM. Wild, right? Totally worth waiting for. The Lost Mine Trail is nearby and a fantastic hike, especially in the early morning when it's cooler. It’s also a great spot for sunrise photos. Emory Peak Trail, another popular and more challenging hike, starts not far from here too. I’ve now been to all the visitor centers at Big Bend except Castolon, and this one stands out. I plan to return soon to hike Emory Peak and finally make it to Santa Elena Canyon for some hiking and kayaking. Can’t wait!

The hub for all of the Chisos Mountains. The visitor center has all the information through maps and questions answered by the rangers. The general store and water station are perfect for supply needs that you might have forgotten to pack. A little pricey but reasonable given the distance needed to resupply the store. I've included picture of Big Bend Paisano iarticle of the upcoming restoration to Chisos Basin area. I hope they do not increase the footprint but merely just update what is there. Honestly I'm a little sad they are redoing everything. There is something about 60s architecture juxtaposed within the Chisos that is inviting. I hope the new updates doesn't ruin this

Visitors center is closed right now during the government shutdown. Use the "All Trails" app on your phone to download hikes before entering the park or bring all of your previous trail maps. The store is open so you can get supplies.

Great to have a convenience store in park, but some items way overpriced, staff very nice and helpful especially during government shutdown. Cell service on and off, Most of the time off-line.

The visitor center is inside the Chisos Basin. The Basin was formed millions of years ago and is spectacular. The basin has a lodge and camping sites. A must see when visiting Big Bend National Park. Highly Recommended.

Perfect experience. Beautiful views, very nice and friendly staff, excellent food at the restaurant. Rooms were clean and had everything you need. Pretend you are camping (but with AC) and take food that you can microwave

I love camping in Big Bend National park. It's a shame the government won't put a little bit more effer and money into this place. The dump station right outside the campground is obviously leaking raw sewage on the ground and it stinks most of the time. There is power and water at the campground I don't understand why they won't make it more accessible to each campsite. I meant some really great people there. There are quite a few trails and internet is a 5-minute walk away at the camp store.

Back in sites about $40 per night with full hookups. Coin showers, no shade and a park store for food and drinks. Basically a parking lot with connections. Easy to see the southern part of the park and very quiet at night. Horses, donkeys and cows from neighboring ranches come in and poop everywhere. Also saw roadrunners and n javelinas.

This is a great place to stay while in Big Bend. You have water, electricity and sewer at your site and the site is impeccably clean. The camp store is well equipped. It even has a very good selection of craft beer and is reasonably priced. My only reason to knock the one star as they charge $2 for 5-minute showers. The only other thing I would recommend is to bring shade. The morning and evening sun can be brutal.

We've camped here twice inside our Rivian and had a great experience both times. Its nice to stay inside the park with access to EV charging. This is a parking lot with full hookups and close neighbors, great place to park at night and spend all day hiking and exploring - not a great place to hang out and relax. The store has friendly staff and the restrooms/showers are suitable. (Bring quarters for the $2 showers or get change before the store closes.) Bonuses: Calm wild horses and mules walk through the campsite every morning and evening. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the Sierra del Carmen mountain range adjacent to the RV Park which is easily missed elsewhere in Big Bend.

Having an option to stay IN the national park in an RV is a treat. We are grateful that this campground exists. It was so nice to have FULL hookups. The staff were very personable and helpful. The bathrooms were nice and the store, albeit small, was a bonus. The location in the park is great for proximity to the Rio Grande and to Mexico. It was so nice to have gas at the campground and additionally at Panther Junction. The only thing that was not ideal was that each site was extremely small and close to its neighbor. It did feel like a parking lot, parking the camper on asphalt and parking our car right next to our camper. There was literally no privacy or room to spread out. The little shaded area behind our site did provide a little bit of shade. Because we spent most of our time exploring the park, and just eating and sleeping in our camper, we did not miss much. However, if we had wanted to sit around for relaxation, during a portion of the day, we would have no place to feel like we were camping. It is a GREAT place to stay in the park because it is the only place to stay there, with an RV, that offers hookups so because of that, we were delighted to get a reservation for 3 nites. Be aware that it takes 90 minutes to get to the Santa Elena area of the park and more than one hour to get to the Chisos Basin area. Panther Junction is 25 minutes away. So, this campground takes a long time to get to, once you enter the park. Be sure you gas up before entering Big Bend.

We stayed at the RV full hookup sites. The people running the store are very friendly. A nice place to view the stars. We experienced many different animals coming through the RV park- Coyote, javelina, road runners, bobcat, donkeys, horses, and cows. Each day it was a different thing. It was a fun stay and I recommend it.

I’m very glad we found this spot and stayed here. Long haul with three kids but worth it! It was nice to have full hook ups, and behind each spot, there was some space to spread out/picnic table. Like other reviews, it’s essentially a parking lot, but that’s okay — that’s a national park for ya! They’re not in the resort business :) While there for a long weekend, we saw coyotes, cows?!, a roadrunner, and much more. Beautiful view of Boquillas Canyon! Only reason for one star removed was the park store/facilities/staff. Nothing terrible but nothing to write home about either. Ex: My kids wanted ice cream one afternoon, and as soon as they selected their choices, the workers immediately and repeatedly said to go outside to eat it. I’m like … we were. I have to pay, right? No one has opened anything. So, like I get it, but there’s a nice way to say it and a mean way to say it and it was veering more toward rude, to me. Also, be advised the facilities (laundry and restrooms) are open 24 hours a day EXCEPT 8-9am for cleaning. By 9am, there were handfuls of people waiting to use the restroom or wash up. So be advised when you have to pee at 8:15. You gotta go somewhere else! Plan accordingly. Otherwise, come for the hikes, stay for the stars ✨ and enjoy your time in one of the most beautiful places!

We drove right to the other side of the park in the afternoon and Boquillas Canyon overlook. Again some dramatic views of the river at full flow. You also find wild horses around here. We did one short hike here down the Boquillas trail alongside the river, but we had to start at the overlook as the road was closed to cars after here. The views down the river were amazing. I would certainly recommend starting here in the park.

Loved stopping here. The view is amazing. There were little handmade items for sale at the top of the overlook (on the honor system). No cell service pretty much from Panther Junction to this spot. Worth the 45 minute drive from the lodge!

The overlook is right along the Rio Grande with Boquillas in the distance. We did see a couple wild burros relaxing by the road. There is also handmade merchandise for sale--cash only

Nice view over the Rio Grande river and the village on the Mexico side. There are some mechandize sold by the Mexicans.

Beautiful overlook to stop and see Boquillas across the Rio Grande and buy some handmade goods from the village. This is where you can find the largest assortment and they are sold via the honor system. We enjoyed the view and then headed to the trailhead to hike into the canyon.

It's kind of a long drive here to see the Rio Grande and Mexico... the ground is like gravel and there were peddlers selling wire and bead trinkets, im guessing they crossed over from Mexico but who knows. With all the talk of a wall, it's interesting to be so close to the border with no real barriers.

The overlook overviews the river, mountains, and the town of Boquillas in the distance. There is usually a little area of trinkets made by the locals of Boquillas that are for sale. Golden rule on leaving money and taking a souvenir. Locals will be on the opposite bank of the river watching the area. There is no development at the overlook except the single exhibit panel so don't expect a restroom, water source, or any gas.

For being a stones throw from Mexico in a remote area, it was a nice campground. Only pit toilets and a water spigot. It was quiet and very dark. But not for the full moon, star gazing is great here. Gravel pads, bear box, and a grill. They do irrigate the grass areas around the gravel sites at times so hope you don't have a tent on a site they are irritating.

This was a great place to stay. Very quiet and beautiful views of the mountains. Watch the wind, it can come through gusting very hard and carrying quite the dust cloud with it. No site services and no dump station, but they do have water spigots around the park and potable water near the entrance.

Great camp ground on the Rio Grande. The ground is easy to set up tents. There is a composting restroom. There is one portable water faucet at the entry to the camp ground. The group site is large and gated with a perimeter barbwire fence. It is on the far west side of the park.

We spent a few nights at Cottonwood Campground in May 2022. Generally a very positive experience. Pros: It’s remote but well-tended. Compost restrooms were clean and tended daily, as were recycling bins. Most of the campground is nice and grassy, and most of the campsites are well-spaced and receive shade for part of the day. We stayed at site 13, which has a tree shading part of the pad. Abundant bird life in the area. We saw great horned owls, summer tanagers, scarlet tanagers, mockingbird, and several others we weren’t able to identify. We really enjoyed watching the bats every evening do their aerial acrobatics in search of bugs. There is one potable water hydrant at the shed near the entrance of the campground. It seems to be a gravity-flow, so not really suitable for filling our trailer water tank. There are several non-potable hydrants scattered throughout the camp, which can be used for cleaning, etc. The campground is very quiet and dark at night, which makes for great stargazing. Park maintenance staff, rangers, and firefighters made stops in camp every day. Signs note that bear or javelina could make an appearance, so lock boxes are provided at each site to secure your food items. No generators are allowed, so you can count on quiet. Cons: The camp is very remote, so no WiFi or cell signal (this could also count as a ‘Pro’). Temps were over 100 during the days we were there, so you need to be prepared for that. Even so, nights were pretty comfortable for sleeping. Of course, no showers or sewer dump. In general, we had no issues and enjoyed the camp. Be prepared to bring what water and food you expect you’ll need. There is a small store up the hill at Castolon that sells limited groceries, ice, and cold drinks.

We booked 4 nights and stayed 2. The triple digit day temps that barely cooled to the 90s made sleeping impossible in the RV so we broke out the tent . Other than that, we loved it. Site 7 has the best shade and the two resident owls favor the trees surrounding it. Be prepared for bird watchers to invade. Camp Host Bonnie runs a tight ship. We appreciated her attention to detail. Vault toilets, bear boxes, picnic tables are spotless. No phone or cell service, not even at nearby camp store or visitor center. Highly recommend.

Nice quiet campground in Big Ben National Park, southwest side close to the Rio Grande. No hookups but water and pit toilets available. Close to a number of places to go hiking and sight-seeing.

Big bend it’s amazing, I get why it’s the least visited national park in the country since it’s so far away and not that accessible but if you make the trip you won’t be disappointed, the Santa Elena is literally the Game of thrones wall and it’s precious to look at. The campground #5 has probably the best shade

Very pleasant environment, especially when the river is running high enough to swim. The hot springs containment gets filled with sand, mud and gravel from high waters.

The J.O. Langford hot spring in Big Bend National Park is the place to cool off on a hot summer day. I’ve done it. Take a quick dip in the hot spring then roll over the wall into the Rio Grande river. Feels great. Change into a suite before you get there because there isn’t a place to change at the hot spring. After the fantastic drive back into the spring parking lot, there’s a restroom. From the parking lot, there’s about a half mile walk to the spring. The walk is very nice with a bit of shade but is a dirt trail next to some cliffs so take care. The hot spring is absolutely worth stopping for, hot or cold, rain or shine.

Hot springs in the national park near border Water is hot and there is a cold water next to here Have to take Offroad for 10m Nice place to meet people

This will be a weekly ritual from now, on. Don't get hurt, this far. You're over 150 miles to the nearest hospital. Running at night injures way more people than the mountain lions do. 🦁 If the hand made trinkets are out, it's a long time tradition that allows our neighbors across the Rio, to make extra money to survive, since the closures. It's bueno.

The hot spring is not so enjoyable when it is hot out there but the river can cool you down even tho it is not recommended as the current is very strong

No trip to big bend is complete without an extended soak in the hot springs. Trail was well marked and easily accessible. The half mile hike seemed longer going in them coming back. The area can easily seem minimally developed. I'd recommend not missing this part of your visit.

A nice hike! Mostly sandy, flat & short. We had a couple beers while bathing in a nice warm/hot spring. While the river is mostly blocked off with some bricks/concrete. The cool river water flowed to the side. Also a bunch of wild horses on the Mexico side were hanging out drinking some of the nice & cool river water. Making the experience SO COOL!!! If you’re ever down that way , which is way down there. U have to check it out. It is well worth the time. ALSO if U stay at the lodge, talk to them about going to the a crossing at the river. Where U can get a nice little boat ride from some of the locals for a small tip. Once across we walked into the little town & had an amazing authentic combination Mexican dish with a couple CERVEZES~ Again a must, if your that far down in Texas! We loved it & had a blast. It was summer time hot, but being down by the river made it a little cooler. Which was nice! ENJOY-=————>

This is an excellent trail for those who want to go for a real hike that is not too long or difficult and is easy to get to. Parking is limited so I would suggest coming early or late in the day. There is some elevation so be ready for that, but it is not too steep or difficult. Our three kids (16, 13, 11) all handled it well. We saw deer, which was fun, and the views are really great for much of the hike.

1.9 miles loop Hike with 3 young kids took us at lest 1.5 hours for 1.2 miles. It was fun hike to see views and birds.

Trailhead of Windows View Trail (.3 miles loop), Windows Trail (5 miles out n back) and Chisos Loop Trail, etc. also has a gift shop.

Solid intro hike to get you oriented with everything the basin has to offer. It is best if you go clockwise because you'll get the steep part done first, Emory Peak will be in front of you the entire time, and the Window will be your view returning to camp. This is not a significantly strenuous hike and won't take longer than an hour.

The trails here lead to amazing views! Would write these as moderate and take quite some time to get to the top. Bring lots of water

Super fun 18 mile hike. Not a ton of hard uphill. Make sure you hit the south rim, it’s 10x better than the Emory peak

Great hike, 1000 ft elevation change one way so bring plenty of water for the return and be mindful of the temperature. Fantastic hike with incredible views.

This is a fantastic hike. I had read a review that this hike might be more strenuous than Guadeloupe Peak. While the views are similar in their magnificence, the hike is more manicured and walkable at Emory peak. The steps are smaller, you are not on cliff edge until the end, if you climb it. However, it is longer. There is also a bear box at the end of Pinnacles trail so you can drop backpacks and gear or extra fluids. I simply dropped a sweatshirt since temps were rising. I am 60. It took 5 hours round trip. I had two 20 ounce bottles that lasted the full hike My feeling is that this is easier than Guadeloupe!

The trail was great to see boot canyon below us after hiking there last year. This hike is definitely a scramble at the very last section and a full rock climb up to the very peak.

This wasn't an easy hike but totally worth it. The views were breathtaking and the trail was in excellent shape. It took us about 5 hours total. There's a notch right under the top of the peak that's a perfect lunch spot. It was on our bucket list and so glad we did it. If you want to get close to nature and have an awesome workout this is as good as it gets!

PLAN TO GO EARLY! We took about 4 hours to get to the peak. If you’re a experienced hiker then it will be faster for you. If you don’t want to walk in the darkness at night then remember your flashlights and pathways are pretty clear. Comfy shoes made for walking lots will go a long way. It will be colder up there( yes duh!) so have the layers ready. There’s no specific spot once you’re at the peak so it’s hard to tell when you’re there to be frank but still an amazing view and serenity

Hands down one of the best things I've ever done in life was climb this mountain trail. It's definitely not easy, and it's definitely dangerous, but it was amazing the whole way, and I've climbed it twice now. If you're looking for a challenging hike as well as am amazing view, this mountain trail is for you.

Experience of a lifetime highly recommended don’t forget to bring your proper gear!

The best 360 panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains. We included Emory Peak in a South Rim day hike. We came up the Pinnacles Trail at approx 8am in Mid-July with no issues. It wasn't my first time taking this route to the Rim and it actually felt easier than previous excursions. This was, however, my 1st time up to Emory Peak. At the top of Pinnacles Trail we immediately switched over to the Emory Peak Trail and headed right up. Approx halfway up Emory, the July heat and increasing altitude made themselves known to me, and my pace dropped significantly. The final 1/4 of the trail was quite tiring, with the extremely loose stone trail joining my other tormentors - the heat & altitude. Upon reaching the base of the twin summits, we (my 72 y/o father) split up and climbed up to each of the peaks. I was wearing medium/light heavy duty hiking boots, which were a bit cumbersome for scrambling over the numerous boulders to the peak. We spent over 45 minutes at the top before continuing on our hike to the South Rim. The trip back down Emory Peak Trail was no easier than the trip up. The Emory Peak round trip is listed at 2 miles, but it felt a lot, lot longer than that! (to be fair, it's not like I'm getting any younger). It was a long, hot day on the trail to the South Rim and we didn't make it back to the Basin until approx 6:30pm. We were well prepared and equipped, however, if I had to do it all again, I'd probably reconsider Emory Peak's inclusion in a South Rim day hike in the middle of July. I felt the effects of Emory Peak Trail for the remainder of my day - I was definitely fatigued by the time I returned to the Basin. I wouldn't recommend attempting a Emory/South Rim day hike in July. The heat makes every additional mile seem much longer than it really is. That being said, doing Pinnacles up & down/Emory Peak is a very doable summer day hike that I wouldn't hesitate doing again, if given the opportunity. Some simple advice: Just make sure you're in shape, well equipped and carrying at least 3-4 gallons of water. A good hat, sun screen, sun glasses, and dry-wick clothing are essential. I love Big Bend.

I did not end up going all the way to the end of the trail so my opinion is a little skewed but I was not impressed by this trail. The views were decent but nothing compelling.

Visited in February 2018 as a family with a 12yo. The trailhead is just off Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park. he views are beautiful from here. The terrain is relatively plain and easy to hike. I would have given the trail 5 stars, if it were better marked as it's not clear how far you need to hike and where the trail ends.

Pretty wild environment shift at the springs, even if it’s tiny. The rest is a mild hike through the desert.

First part of the trail provides a good view of Mule Ear Peaks and Chihuahuan desert.

Not as good as other trails, butt still a good one

Great sunrise or night sky viewpoint

(Translated by Google) Nice, fairly short hike to the first point of interest: 6.3 km. The first mile was windy and very cold. Then it was hot. The water source is almost dry. (Original) Belle randonnée assez courte pour le premier point d’intérêt: 6,3 km. Le premier kilomètre était venteux et très froid. Ensuite, c’était chaud. La source d’eau est presqu’à sec.

This short trail leads to the ruins of a homestead with a few walls visible, two windmills, and some corrugated metal structures. My daughter (13) said it was her favorite trail in the park- surprising but you never know with kids! The trail is easy to walk and follow with no elevation but allot of sun. Parking is in a pulloff along the road. I think we were in and out in about 20 minutes.

Short easy walk to keep the blood circulating. Love old metal water pump windmills. My grandparents had one. Loved the twirling sound and the water was always the best.

Very cool, historic spot with some remains from the ranch. A short hike from the parking lot led to a green oasis where the family had their home and a fruit orchard. Well marked trail.

A step back in time. Amazing story of a life lived in isolation.

Very easy walk from the road. The windmill still pumps water!

short trail exploring old ranch site. visited Jan 2021 after snow storm

Short 5 minute hike into a lush area with pecan and date trees. It has a small bit of the ranch house. Well worth the stop.

This is an amazing piece of Texas history. The drive to get to it will require some time, patience, and an adventurous spirit. You don't just wind up at this place. It's intentional. That said, the area is beautiful and well worth every moment getting there.

Took us about 2 hours to get here from Rio Grande Village. We took our time stopping here and there. The road was pretty rough but not really difficult. This is a great piece of history that is the middle of nowhere. I would love to come back when I have a little more time to explore. The trail has a lot of loose rocks and incline so be prepared for that if you have mobility issues or out of shape. I highly recommend visiting this area. The ride gives you more perspective about how life must have been back then. Can you imagine getting in and out of here on mules?

The drive is very long to get here. Well worth it, but we went in June and if we would have got a flat or something, we would have been in trouble. I recommend the Garmin inreach or an IPhone 14 or newer for the satellite S.O.S. feature. We didn’t see another soul the whole time.

Great place to explore while you’re on the River Road. I took about a 1 hour break from the trail to explore the mine. There is a sign that says the rocks/bricks have mercury in them. I can only imagine what this place looked like bustling and busy over 100 years ago. I also took a look at some of the old houses, and equipment left laying around, including an old car with an exposed engine!

Amazing piece of history. Need at least high clearance 2WD or 4WD to get back here. But worth the drive and climb! Gorgeous at sunset too.

Great ruins to visit. Had a blast navigating the primitive roads on the way to the mines. Visit if you trust your vehicle and yourself and you enjoy isolated pieces of history.

From the road it looks like a small mine, but the closer you get, the bigger it gets. Lots of old debris as well. Definitely a must see!

The road to the trail is more suitable for vehicles that can drive off-road, not great for sedans. The hot spring is quite small but nice and it's not much of a trail, more so a very short walk to the hot spring. The sunset was gorgeous

Great little hike to a small Hot Springs that still gets a lot of use. I enjoy reading the history and how this was a very popular draw considered for healing powers. The regular trail is only 1/2 mile round trip. However, the loop trail is better at around a mile and gives you a better overlook of the Rio Grande and view of Hot Springs pool from above.

I think it's definitely worth it if the rio grande is not too high. We were there in early June 2025 and the river was so high that it went over the old walls of the bathhouse. For example, the water from the hot spring became very dirty (brown) and colder. You can clearly see where the hot water comes out of the ground. Nice walk to the hot spring but first check if the rio grande is not too high before you arrive there with swimming gear and have to return disappointed. The route to the hot springs is also not for everyone. Narrow roads on dirt road, not accessible to large cars.

The trail was fine...but there are significantly better trails in the park. The hot springs are so crowded that there's not much of a chance you are actually going to get to experience them. The old buildings there are interesting. If spending multiple days in the park, go ahead. If your time is limited, I would concentrate on other hikes.

The other reviews are spot on. The pool is small but the river Is accessible in the same spot. We did get to see a few wild horses drinking at the rivers edge. Just a heads-up, this trail isn’t ideal for dogs, especially in the heat. We cooled off with a quick dip in the river and then headed back out on the 4x4 trails.

Hot springs canyon is an absolute must do in Big bend. We had the most amazing time here. The water is 105 F. It felt amazing on a December afternoon. There is a dirt road you need to take to reach the parking lot. Then about 0.25 miles walk to the spring. There is a restroom located in the parking lot. There are no changing rooms etc available.

Its a 2 mile gravel road to the trailhead. If it has rained recently, you will need a high clearance vehicle. Once there, there is plenty of parking and a single vault toilet. Do not leave any valuables inside of your vehicle. The dirt trail leading to the hot springs is less than a 1/2 mile. Old abandoned buildings on the trail, makes for some great pics. Once you see the Healing Waters sign, its only another 100 feet to the springs. The hot springs are not very deep, but hot and refreshing. Recommend

My family visited Lajitas resort over Memorial Day weekend and had a great experience at the entire resort. The zip line tour was an added bonus that made the stay especially memorable. My sister and I did the Quicksilver which was 100% worth it! The entire tour took around 2 hours which includes the trek up to the mountains, but the guides, Lloyd and Josh were very friendly and made the experience safe and enjoyable. The views from the top are amazing, I would highly recommend to anyone that visits the resort that likes exhilarating experiences to check this one out!

My sister and I recently ziplined here to do the Quicksilver Tour and had Josh and Joey as our guides. I’ve ziplined in other places and haven’t ever received the kind of service and safety as they provided. I would highly recommend this and if you are able to special request them, they will take care of you. The ziplines were all great and long with beautiful views. You have the ability to rent a GoPro for only $20 and it is so worth it to capture your experience.

Took my family ziplinjng at Lajitas Zipline Tours. Josh and Matt hosted us and they were fantastic; they were safe, professional, provided us with well maintained equipment, well kept facilities, and showed us a great time. Loved crossing over the canyons and seeing the gorgeous high-altitude views. Cannot wait to return next year.

Leslie & Josh were GREAT operators! Triple checking everything for our safety. Personable individuals and made this an amazing experience. This is a MUST do.

We had a great time on the Zip Lines, Adam and JT were super professional and knowledgeable of the area. Highly recommend this tour. Zip lines are amazing with great views and the equipment was very comfortable.

My husband and I did the Quick Silver tour on Thursday, and had a great time! Christina and Josh took great care of us, put safety first, were extremely professional, tons of fun— and even tolerated and maybe unintentionally contributed to our endless chatter! We'll be back next time...highly recommend!

Jake and josh were amazing zip line instructors. Had a great time with my fiancé, and they made sure everyone was enjoying the tour.I was always scared of heights, have been zip lining before to face my height fear but always leave with the same fear BUT this place helped me beat my fear. The view was gorgeous. Don’t worry about having to record with your phone because they also have go-pro you could rent for a very affordable price. Every single one of us left the tour with a big smile on our faces. Will definitely come back zip lining and would recommend anyone to come here.