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Established in 1944, Big Bend National Park is located in Brewster County Texas, and is the largest protected area of Chihuahua desert topography and ecology in the United States. Big Bend covers 801,163 acres along its 244 mile stretch.Big Bend National Park is named for the big bend in the Rio Grande River that the park is nestled in. Big Bend National Park is a rarely visited park but it is full of some of the most beautiful landscapes the world has to offer. In this park you will see canyons, waterfalls, mountain peaks, wildlife, river fronts, and miles of open range.

The Rio Grande River serves as an international, state, and park boundary. The Rio Grande cuts through several canyons throughout the park. Floating the Rio Grande on tube, conoe, or kayak is the best way to take in the beauty of the canyons.

Big Bend National Park has also become a favorite for archeology. While exploring the Big Bend National Park, archeologists have discovered historic buildings and artifacts that they have estimated to be 9,000 years old.

Big Bend National Park trails are a great way to experience the park attractions. The park has over 150 miles of trails to choose from and most of them lead to, through, or around one of the parks major attractions.

Right next to Big Bend National Park is Big Bend Ranch State Park If you have time left over after visiting Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch is definitely worth a visit.

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Emory Peak:
Height: 7,825 feet
Emory Peak is the highest point in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. From this peak you will have one of the best views in the park. The climb to the top of Emory Peak is moderately difficult. There are no vertical climbs involved in the nine mile hike to the top. The Emory Peak trail is clearly marked all the way to the top. If you go on a clear day you will be able to see much of the park from this peak.

Lost Mine Peak Summit:
Height: 7,550 feet
Lost Mine Peak, part of the South Rim formation, can be see from the lost mine trail. Lost Mine Peak is the second heighest peak in Big Bend National Park.

South Rim Cliff:
Height: 7,403 feet
South Rim Cliff includes a 12 mile trail that offers some of the park's best view of the desert floor and surrounding mountains.

Casa Grande Peak Summit:
Height: 7,325 feet
Casa Grande, Spanish for Big House, is one of the most distinctive peaks in Big Bend National Park. This peak can be seen from several trails including several great views from the lost mine trail.

Crown Mountain Summit:
Height: 7,105 feet
Crown Mountain Summit is one of the few summits in the park that exceeds 7,000 feet. There are no clearly marked or easily hiked trail to this summit so it is among the more difficult climbs. This is a good summit to climb to find solitude.

Mule Ear Peaks:
Height: 3,425 feet
Mule Ear Peaks resembles a pair of mule ears coming from a rock head. This peak can be seen from the 7-mile round trip Mule Ears Peaks Trail.


Pine Canyon Falls:
Pine Canyon Falls is a great Big Bend National Park attraction, but unfortunately seeing the falls is difficult as it can only be seen after a hard rain. The waterfall can be accessed via the 4-mile Pine Canyon Trail. Even if the waterfall is not visible, it is still worth the hike to see all of the other scenery in the area.

Santa Elana Canyon: Santa Elana Canyon is the most popular and most scenic of all of Big Bend National Park's canyons. Santa Elana Canyon is the western most of all of the park's major canyons. There are some good white water along this 20 mile stretch of the Rio Grande.

Boquillas Canyon: Boquillas Canyon is the easternmost of Big Bend's major canyons. Boquillas Canyon starts near Rio Grande Village and stretches west for about 20 miles. This canyon can be hiked on foot if the water is low or by raft or boat in higher waters.

Mariscal Canyon: This canyon offers beautiful 1,800 foot canyon walls. You will also enjoy some white water along this 11 mile stretch.

One of Big Bend National Park's best experiences is floating the Rio Grande River. On the Rio Grande you can get a quite scenic trip or an exciting white water adventure. Big Bend offers quick trips that only take a few hours or weekend trips that include over night camping. For the real adventure seekers there is an option that takes a couple of weeks. The longer trips include the oppertunity for hikes through the side canyons along the way. Permits may be required for some of the floats so be sure to check with the visitor center while planning your trip.

Some of the most popular trips include:

Boquillas Canyon
Distance: 33 miles
This 2 to 4 day float is scenic and relativly gentle. The Boquillas Canyon float starts at Rio Grande Village and ends at Heath Canyon. Boquillas Canyon offers several side canyons along the way that you may want to hike.

Mariscal Canyon
Distance: 10 miles
This 1 to 2 day float is popular for its remotness. You will rarely see other people while enjoying this trip. The Mariscal Canyon has several good white water spots (depending on the water levels) including the famous rapid called the Tight Squeeze.

Santa Elena Canyon
Distance: 20 miles
This 1 to 3 day float is the most popular and possibly the most scenic of the trips. This trip offers some of the best white water in the park, particularly the famous rapid called the Rock Slide. Many people like to explore Fern Canyon which is a few miles into Santa Elena Canyon.

The Lower Canyons
Distance: 83-115 miles
The Lower Canyons offer many combinations of adventures that can take a week or more. Before starting any of these trips be sure to make all of the preparations including permits, supplies.

Hiking Trails:
With over 800,000 acres and 150 miles of trails, Big Bend National Park is a favorite for many hikers, campers, and back packers. Trails range from short easy hikes, to difficult several day hikes. Make sure you bring plenty of water.

Window View Trail:
This .3 mile paved trail is very fast and easy. There are several benches along the way to sit and enjoy the view.

Window Trail:
This 4 mile round trip descends for 2 miles then climb back up for 1 mile then goes through another mile in a canyon shaded with oaks. At the end of the trail is "the window". The window is an opening in the canyon wall that overlooks a 200 foot drop off and the Cisos Basin. You may also hike another 1/4 mile on the Oak Spring Trail for a better view from higher ground.

Rio Grande Village Natural Trail:
This 3/4 mile round trip is very short and easy but it's very scenic. The trail climbs a small limestone hill and detours off to the Rio Grande River bank. The end of this trail offers a great view of the Sierra del Carmen, the river floodplain, Boquillas, Hot Springs Canyon, and the Chisos Mountains. This is a great place to go if you're looking for a place to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Boquillas Canyon Trail:
This 1.4 mile round trip climbs a limestone hill and ends at the Rio Grande River bank near some Indian mortar holes. There is also a shallow cave at the end.

Ore Terminal Trail:
This 8 mile round trip takes nearly a full day to hike. You will follow an abandoned tramway that once carried ore from the Mexican mines. This trail is very harsh during the summer months.

Marufo Vega Trail:
This 14 mile round trip is a long loop a little tough but very beautiful. The trail takes you through the Dead Horse Mountains to the Rio Grande River bank.

Mule Ears Spring Trail:
This 3.8 mile round trip starts at a parking are on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and makes its way across several arroyos to the spring. The trail is named for the "mule ears" peaks that are always visible throughout the hike.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail:
This 1.7 mile round trip is short but among the best trail in the park. It starts by crossing Terlingua Creek and follows the Rio Grande River bank for much of the hike. This trail ends where 1500 foot canyon walls meet the river.

The Chimneys Trail:
This 4.8 mile round trip is long but easy. It leads to a series of volcanic dike formations called chimneys. These chimneys can be seen from the trailhead. You will have a chance to see Indian rock art on this trail. At the end of this trail you will have the option to follow another 1.5 mile trail to the Red Ass Springs.

Upper Burro Mesa Pour-Off Trail:
This 3.6 mile round trip winds through a gorge to the top of Burro Mesa Pour off. At the end you can see a cave formed by flash flooding. This cave is the top of the 100 foot pour off.

Ward Spring Trail:
This 3.6 mile round trip leads to a spring. This trail mostly consists of desert view but you can watch for green vegetation that will mark the spring.

Red Rocks (Blue Creek) Canyon Trail:
This 3 mile, mostly up-hill hike takes you through some of the most colorful rock formations in the park. At its end you can continue up the canyon for 5.7 miles to the High Chisos and Laguna Meadow.

Dog Canyon Trail:
This moderately difficult 4 mile Big Bend National Park trail follows a canyon cut between layers of limestone.

Devil's Den Trail:
This 6 mile round trip follows a beautiful limestone slot canyon. At the end of the hike you come to Devil's Den where you may continue for another 1/2 mile.

Emory Peak Trail:
This 9 mile round trip goes to the highest point in Big Bend National Park (7,832 foot). The view from this height is one of the best in the park. This Big Bend National Park trail is also popular for the wildlife lovers. The change in elevation and temperature habitates different species of animals from much of the rest of the park.

South Rim Trail:
This 12 mile round trip offers view of the vast desert floor surrounding the mountains. Most hikers make this an over night trip.

Ernst Tinaja Trail:
This 1.4 mile round trip takes you up a sandy wash to a layered canyon. This area holds water all year long.

Pine Canyon Trail:
This 4 mile Big Bend National Park trail is one of the only woodland hikes in the park. This area has Pinyon and Ponderosa pines, oaks, maples, and Texas Madrones. This trail ends at a 200-foot drop off that becomes a beautiful waterfall after a rain.

Grapevine Hills Trail:
This 2.2 mile round trip is an easy hike on a sandy wash. This hike is covered with boulders and ends at a "window" of boulders. Many hike this trail to get a picture of the surrounding area through the boulder window.

Mariscal Canyon Rim Trail:
This 6.6 mile round trip offers great views of the Rio Grande River and high cliff walls.

The Mesa De Anguila Trail:
This Big Bend National Park trail is rarely visited because it's difficult to access. This trail is for experienced hikers only.

Outer Mountain Loop Trail:
This long 30 mile circle combines the Pinnacles, Juniper Canyon, Dodson, Blue Creek, and Laguna Meadows Trail. This trail takes several days to hike and takes you through every type of scenery that Big Bend has to offer.

Marufo Vega Trail:
This long 14 mile hike is strenuous but worth while. This hike offers beautiful scenic mountain views. It got its name from Gregorio Marfuo who uses to graze goats long the river.

Mesa De Anguila Trail:
This Big Bend National Park trail is separate from the rest of the park and should be hiked by experienced hikers only. It offers beautiful views of the Rio Grande River and the surrounding area.

Big Bend National Park offers 5 visitor Centers. These centers are a great place to start, especially if it is you first time at Big Bend. The visitor centers offer maps and information and advise on how to best spend your time at the park. Some of Big Bend is only available to explore if you have a permit, these permits can be aquired at the following visitor centers. Each center also offers a bookstore, and exhibits that will help you learn more about the park.

Castolon Visitor Center:
The Castolon Visitor Center has exhibits on the buildings in the park's Castolon district. This center is open seasonally so you are advised to call for open times before visiting. A store is located near this center that is open all year long.

Chisos Basin Visitor Center:
The Chisos Basin Visitor Center is located in the Chisos Mountain Basin area. Many of the area trail heads are near this center so many people use is as a staging point for their hikes. The Chisos Basin Visitor Center has detailed exhibits on the wildlife around the basin. This center is open all year long.

Panther Junction Visitor Center:
Panther Junction Visitor Center is located in the center of the park. Panther Junction is at the crossroads of Highway 118 and Highway 385. This center is located near the park headquarters. This center has many exhibits including fossils of ancient species found in the park. The park post office is also located near this center. Panther Junction Visitor Center is open all year long.

Persimmon Gap Visitor Center:
The Persimmon Gap Visitor Center is located at the park's north entrance. Guests can get activity and park safety information at this center. Persimmon Gap Visitor Center is open all year long.

Rio Grande Village Visitor Center:
This visitor Center is located in the Rio Grande Village. This center offers exhibits on the wildlife found in and around the river. The Rio Grande Village visitor center is open seasonally so you are advised to call for open times before visiting.