Explore Activities at Big Bend: A Guide for Visitors
Big Bend National Park, nestled in the heart of West Texas, offers a captivating blend of diverse landscapes, thrilling activities, and rich history for its visitors. From rafting trips along the Rio Grande to scenic drives through the Chisos Mountains, there's an abundance of experiences to be had.
**Rafting Trips:**
The Rio Grande River, bordering the park, presents a popular setting for paddling and rafting adventures, providing an unparalleled opportunity to explore the park's dramatic canyon scenery from the water.
**Scenic Drives:**
One must-do route within the park is the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which takes visitors through breathtaking viewpoints such as Sotol Vista, Mule Ears Viewpoint, and historic sites like Castolon and the Sublett House Ruins. This drive culminates at the awe-inspiring Santa Elena Canyon, where towering limestone walls frame the river border between Texas and Mexico.
**Hiking Trails:**
The Chisos Basin area serves as the starting point for many of the park’s best hikes, offering diverse landscapes and cooler mountain climates. Popular hikes include the Lost Mine Trail, Emory Peak Trail, and the Window View Trail, each offering unique views and challenges for hikers.
**Excursions Outside the Park:**
Surrounding small towns, such as Terlingua/Study Butte, Alpine, Marathon, and Marfa, offer character-rich experiences and local culture for those wanting to explore beyond the park boundaries.
**Other Notable Attractions and Activities:**
Big Bend is renowned for its exceptional birdwatching, with over 450 species recorded, including roadrunners. The park is also designated an International Dark Sky Park, making it an ideal destination for stargazing under some of the darkest and clearest skies in the U.S. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking and wading in the Rio Grande on warm days.
In the evenings, Big Bend comes alive with a lively desert, as many animals, such as deer, coyotes, bears, rattlesnakes, jackrabbits, javelina, owls, and bats, emerge to hunt. Three rafting companies are licensed to take groups down the river, and the Chihuahuan Research Institute, located 124 miles north of the park, provides further opportunities for exploration and education.
For a more personalised experience, ranger-led tours are available for a minimum of four hours, costing $35 per hour, with advance notice recommended (+1 432 477 1108). The Maxwell Scenic Drive also dips into the Castolon, a former Army post established during border disputes between Mexico and the U.S.
Stargazing in Big Bend's dark sky is extraordinary, particularly near the Hot Springs. The Lost Mine Trail, a moderate five-mile hike, is steeped in local lore, with tales of Spanish conquistadors seeking silver at the summit of the Chisos mountains. The Maxwell Scenic Drive passes through pioneer settlements and Sotol Vista, offering a view of Santa Elena Canyon and nearby Mexico.
Travelers on a wildlife-focused adventure-travel in Big Bend National Park can expect thrilling encounters with a diverse array of animal species, including deer, coyotes, bears, rattlesnakes, jackrabbits, javelina, owls, and bats. This captivating park offers an unique lifestyle for those seeking to experience the lure of the wild, from rafting trips along the Rio Grande to hiking the Chisos Basin trails and scenic drives through the Chisos Mountains. Additionally, spending a night under the park's dark, starlit sky is a must-do experience, as it is designated an International Dark Sky Park, providing some of the clearest and darkest skies in the U.S.
