Big Bend National Park is a glorious spot in West Texas. It’s a true natural beauty and definitely one of the top national parks around. Marking its presence in the Chihuahuan Desert, it’s the biggest protected area of its kind. It’s named after a huge bend in the Rio Grande River that runs through it. The park covers a massive 801,163 acres and is just overflowing with all sorts of excellent flora and fauna.
Despite its location in the vicinity of a desert, Big Bend is surprisingly lush with tons of different landscapes. You’ve got rivers, deserts, deep canyons, and mountains that all blend together. A unique feature is that it contains the entire Chisos Mountain range within its borders – the only national park that can claim an entire mountain range to itself. It’s just a wild, rugged place with incredible scenery everywhere. A real gem in the Lone Star State for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.
1. The Stunning Chisos Mountains
The Chisos Mountains are the real star of the show at Big Bend. They’re extended all the way from Punta de la Sierra in the southwest to Panther Junction in the northwest. You won’t find the full Chisos range anywhere else except inside the park boundaries. It’s the only complete mountain range totally contained within a national park in the whole state of Texas. These mountains are 100% the main attraction of this place. You’ll love some epic hiking, especially during the scorching summer. But it’s not just about the views either; those mountains are flourishing with wildlife like black bears, mountain lions, gray foxes, white-tailed deer, tufted titmice, Mexican Jays and many more. They’re just this gorgeous gem right in the heart of West Texas. No surprise the Chisos steal all the attention at Big Bend. I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend some time exploring and chilling mountain paradise like that?
2. The Fascinating Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Big Bend National Park is worldwide renowned for this epic driving route called Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The name comes from Ross Maxwell himself, who was the park’s very first superintendent way back in the day. He basically mapped out and designed this whole geological route along the park’s western side.
You start off climbing up to crazy viewpoints like Sotol Vista with breathtaking overlooks. Then, the road descends and runs parallel to the Rio Grande as you cruise through the historic little town of Castolon. The road ends at the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead. But let me tell you, the Ross Maxwell Drive totally lives up to its “scenic” name. Its grandeur views of the desert, badlands, and several simple campsites make it one of the most recognized scenic drives in the world.
3. The Adventure Hiking Over the South Rim Trail
This hiking trail makes your experience at Big Bend National Park amazingly worth it. Covering a total distance of 11-15 miles, the South Rim trail is one of the most popular trails in the Big Bend area. You can start the journey from the Chisos Basin and continue on the path over the South Rim. Along this trail, it is easy for visitors to find several backcountry campsites. This South Rim trail, in reality, is divided by the Boot Canyon Trail into two stunning parts. On one side you’ve got the Southwest Rim part, and then the other half is called the Southeast Rim. You can start the hike from the Laguna Meadows trail, and the Pinnacles trail can be the best path for hiking lovers.
4. The Natural Beauty Of Canyons
This is a place with an abundance of canyons, acclaiming the national park as a beautiful mark of these natural features.
- Santa Elena Canyon: If one would ever ask a visitor at that park, what is the most irresistible part, the answer would always be Santa Elena Canyon. This is quite far from the Big Bend National Park visitor center. To reach this canyon, one needs to drive through the 30-mile-long Ross Maxwell scenic drive, and this route forms the head of the trail across a tributary of the Rio Grande, namely, Terlingua Creek.
- Boquillas Canyon: You must definitely check out this 20-mile-long incredible canyon. It is located at the nearest eastern point of the Rio Grande Village, Boquillas Canyon. This place is highly reputed among hikers and visitors.
- Lower Canyons: In the third-largest section of the river, below the Boquillas Canyon, for 60 long miles of stretch lie little and secretive river canyons. These canyons are known as the Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande River. Springs of water from these canyons glorify the beauty of Big Bend National Park in every possible way.
- Colorado Canyon: The one canyon that stands out among all the other river canyons for its unique color. Most Rio Grande Canyons are of the limestone visuals. However, Colorado Canyon is a result of volcanic origin. With gorging rapids such as Guacamole, Panther, and Quarter Mile, Colorado Canyon is tremendously admired by Big Bend National Park visitors.
5. The Streaming Water of Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a massive continental river that forms the border between the USA and Mexico. About a fourth of that border runs right through Big Bend, with the park overseeing and managing that whole stretch of the river. The Rio Grande starts up in the Colorado Rockies and then moves its way approx 1,900 miles down to the Gulf Of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. The river is the epitome of diverse, wild, and scenic sites. You must do canoeing or rafting at the Rio Grande canyons, this is definitely one of the top activities. It’s an absolute must-see gem of the whole park.
6. The One and Only Terlingua Ghost Town
It is believed that the best view of Big Bend National Park is from nowhere but from the porch of Terlingua Ghost Town. After the second world war the population drifted from the city, and thereby ghosting the place. The town has an ancient touch with remains from historical times, evidently making it a symbol of attraction to the visitors. You will have several options for lodging, making it easier for you to find comfortable places to stay and relax in your leisure moments. With its lively character, the town is a bodacious abode of artistic authenticity.
Terlingua Ghost Town: A Traveler’s Journey Through Time and Stars
Echo Wang, an Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Cool Travel Vibes, shares their personal experience traveling to Terlingua Ghost Town:
“Terlingua Ghost Town is a real treat near Big Bend National Park. It’s not your typical ghost town with just tumbleweeds and eerie silence. It’s full of old ruins and abandoned mines that [pretty much] take you back in time. I remember this one time, some friendly locals took us to this old schoolhouse and houses built into the canyon walls. It felt like walking onto a movie set from the old west.
The old mine there is like a snapshot from the past, with all the old equipment still lying around. It’s kinda cool and spooky at the same time. But the real kicker about Terlingua, especially if you’re hanging around Big Bend, [is the night sky]. It’s the perfect spot for meteor showers.
Imagine sitting in the middle of these historical ruins, just looking up at a sky full of shooting stars. It’s such a surreal feeling.”
7. Other Exciting Park Activities For You
- Camping: Most adventure-seeking people love backcountry camping. With several developed campgrounds, camping is one of the most enjoyed adventurous activities at Big Bend National Park. You can also prefer night camping.
- Hiking: This is another thrilling activity in the array of activities at Big Bend National Park. Being topographically favorable for hiking, the national park offers excellent hiking thrills that are specifically available for children. There are various hiking trails open for everyone.
- Canoeing: The river of the Rio Grande and the prosperity of several canyons at Big Bend National Park offer prepossessing opportunities to enjoy the heartfelt canoeing experience. Canoeing is in itself a mesmerizing experience, and when the location is as perfect as the park, this experience is worth everything else.
Unveiling Big Bend National Park: A Travel Expert’s Guide to Astounding Activities
Sira Mas, a Tourism expert and Founder of serentravelty.com, presents exciting activities visitors must try in the National Park:
- Astrophotography Journeys: Big Bend National Park is [a great place] for astrophotography and stargazing because of its well-known dark skies. Visitors may view thousands of stars at night [at the park because of] its beautiful skies and extremely minimal light pollution. Visitors can utilize telescopes to view the night sky or participate in activities offered by rangers.
- Observation of wildlife: A wide range of animals can be seen at the Park, such as bighorn sheep, javelinas, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, deer, and javelinas, in addition to other animals.
- Culture and history: The park’s lengthy and intriguing past [is a reflection of] the many different cultures that have called the area home.
During the Mexican-American War, Mexican forces ran Mariscal Mine3, [a silver mine that] offers visitors insight into the history and culture of Big Bend National Park.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
