Big Bend National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Sunset over Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park, Texas (courtesy, Texas Tourism)

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Big Bend National Park Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Laurie Roddy

At 7,825 feet, Emory Peak is the highest point in the Chisos Mountains. It offers a 360-degree view of the entire park and far beyond into Texas and Mexico. A 2,500-foot climb makes this trail strenuous at times, and it requires some rock scrambling at the end to reach the top. Allow for at least six hours for the 8.5-mile hike.
Raft Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande on a two-day trip. While the first day is more leisurely with slow floats and photo opportunities, the second day is full of adrenaline rushes as you go through Rock Slide, the first rapid of the river.
Considered the classic hike of Texas, the South Rim Trail begins in the Chisos Basin and ends high above on a large escarpment that overlooks Texas and Mexico. To completely enjoy the trip allow for two or three days on the 12.6-mile well-marked trek.

Big Bend National Park Overview

Big Bend may well be the most anonymous of the national parks in the Lower 48. If it's solitude you seek, you'll find it here. Besides serving up quiet in big, Texas-size portions, Big Bend boasts geologic wonders, unique wildlife, and plenty of room for hikers and campers to spread out. Read More

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Hotels

Chisos Mountain Lodge

Basin Rural Station
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834 Map

Distance: 4.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

Ten Bits Ranch

6000 N. County Rd.
Terlingua, TX 79852 Map

Distance: 22.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

Lajitas Resort

Lajitas
Lajitas, TX 79852 Map

Distance: 21.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

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Attractions

South Rim Trail - Boot Springs Trail

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Distance: 3.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Hikers won't be alone on the South Rim, one of the most traveled trails in Texas. Climbing from the basin in the Chisos Mountains to a forested ridge, the path overlooks 3,000 feet of desert. ... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

The Window Trail

Chisos Mountain Area
Big Bend National Park, Texas

Distance: 5.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This four-mile round-trip trail begins at the Basin Campground and descends 800 feet for the first... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Basin Loop

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Distance: 3.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This easy trail is less than two miles long with an elevation gain of 350 feet.... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Big Bend National Park Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Big Bend National Park

	Distance (mi.)
El Paso International Airport	256.8 map
San Antonio International Airport	288.9 map

Other Smaller Airports near Big Bend National Park

	Distance (mi.)
Del Rio International Airport	140.9 map
Chihuahua Gen Fierro Villalobos Airport	171.0 map
Midland Odessa Regional Airport	195.8 map

More Airports

Feature Articles

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Wheel Through Endless Texas Badlands
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More Big Bend National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (6) »

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GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

Texas - Big Bend National Park Hiker
Timberline Adventures
from $1995, 6 days
Nestled in the southwest corner of Texas, not close enough to any major city to provide any meaningful clue as to its location, Big Bend requires a...
Big Bend - Rio Grande Hiker
The World Outdoors
from $2698, 7 days
Big Bend National Park, named for the great turn the Rio Grande River makes in southwest Texas, is America's least visited national park due to its...

See All Adventure Trips & Guided Tours from GORPtravel »